Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
Cardboard Cowboys by Brian Conaghan
5.0
Friendship, family, grief and finding inner strength.
Lenny is that kid your heart aches for, if you're an adult reading this. If you're a kid, you'll know someone like him. You might even be him. He's the one who doesn't fit in, who attracts the attention of bullies for something he can't help, the student who's different.
And this story gives backstory to that. A history that shows just what we hide from other people, the guilt we carry, the secrets we don't talk about in our families. And also the ways we can help each other.
Lenny's brother no longer lives at home. His parents don't like to talk about it. Lenny misses him, and talks about the guilt he feels. Just where is his brother? He aches for his dad to pay him some attention, do things with him. For his mum to show him she cares. At school he is constantly picked on because of his size. Even when he truants to escape them, a homeless man shouts at him for throwing a crisp packet.
But that is the start of a surprising friendship, as Lenny gets to know Bruce, and the two embark on a very sweet and illuminating journey that gives readers insight into the lives of both those without homes and those whose homes are lonely and sad.
I really savoured the story, watching the way each of the two protagonists brought something out in the other. And the vision of a friendship spanning decades, one responsibly portrayed, of equals and mutual support. There are some moving scenes, including that of a bullying expose in school, and a road trip, with mutual secrets gradually uncovered as trust develops.
There is a lot here that young readers may be affected by, it is a wonderful chance to explore some important themes of family relationships, bullying, homelessness.
An author who always brings readers memorable characters and identifiable plots.
For ages 10-14.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Lenny is that kid your heart aches for, if you're an adult reading this. If you're a kid, you'll know someone like him. You might even be him. He's the one who doesn't fit in, who attracts the attention of bullies for something he can't help, the student who's different.
And this story gives backstory to that. A history that shows just what we hide from other people, the guilt we carry, the secrets we don't talk about in our families. And also the ways we can help each other.
Lenny's brother no longer lives at home. His parents don't like to talk about it. Lenny misses him, and talks about the guilt he feels. Just where is his brother? He aches for his dad to pay him some attention, do things with him. For his mum to show him she cares. At school he is constantly picked on because of his size. Even when he truants to escape them, a homeless man shouts at him for throwing a crisp packet.
But that is the start of a surprising friendship, as Lenny gets to know Bruce, and the two embark on a very sweet and illuminating journey that gives readers insight into the lives of both those without homes and those whose homes are lonely and sad.
I really savoured the story, watching the way each of the two protagonists brought something out in the other. And the vision of a friendship spanning decades, one responsibly portrayed, of equals and mutual support. There are some moving scenes, including that of a bullying expose in school, and a road trip, with mutual secrets gradually uncovered as trust develops.
There is a lot here that young readers may be affected by, it is a wonderful chance to explore some important themes of family relationships, bullying, homelessness.
An author who always brings readers memorable characters and identifiable plots.
For ages 10-14.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.