Scavengers book group set

If you're looking for a great book to read with your book group this summer, we are giving away a set of ten copies of Scavengers by Darren Simpson (Usborne Publishing) in return for reviews by readers aged 11+.

Just get in touch to let us know why you would like to have the books for your book group. We will draw for the winners on Friday 26th April. To enter the free draw, email your school's details to: [email protected] OR Comment, below. You can download teacher's notes (see PDF, below); read a feature with the author, Darren Simpson, talking about how Scavengers developed (see link, below); and read a review, here. Scavengers Reviewed by Sharon Bolton, school librarian Scavengers tells the story of a boy called Landfill who lives with Old Babagoo in Hinterland, surrounded by a big wall that separates it from Outside. Landfill's life is regulated by many rules, which are imposed upon him by Babagoo. The relationship between the two characters is a maelstrom of comfortable friendliness, parent/child and bully/bullied. Throughout the novel evocative use of language helps to set scenes without giving too much away, leading the reader to form their own opinions and discover what is going on. Landfill's days are filled with tasks and interactions with the many animals in Hinterland, all of whom have literary names. The names are explained in an appendix at the end of the book. These animals are his playmates since he leads such a solitary existence. At times there are gritty descriptions of the gulls that form the basis for meals in Hinterland and the whole novel has echoes of Lord of the Flies. Babagoo and Landfill communicate using made up and unusual language, giving the story a Dahlesque feel. The most important rule is to NEVER go beyond the wall and when Landfill does, it opens up a whole wealth of questions and situations that he had never dreamt of. When Dawn, an 'Outsider', comes into Hinterland, Landfill starts to develop an awareness that not all he has been told by Babagoo about the Outsiders may be correct. His innate sense that he is missing out on something becomes more profound and he starts to question Babagoo's ideas and decisions. At times a truly challenging read but one where the use of language is such that you can see and breathe the atmosphere within Hinterland; this is a superbly written novel. I especially liked the addition of the discussion questions. 322 pages / Ages 11+ / Reviewed by Sharon Bolton, School Librarian