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A review by scottiesandbooks
Cardboard Cowboys by Brian Conaghan
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75
“”So it doesn’t matter if there’s people around us or not. Being sad and lonely comes from in here.” With a boxers fist Bruce thumps his heart twice; so hard, I hear the hollowness of his chest. “In here and nowhere else.””
Cardboard Cowboys tells the story of Lenny, a kid who is often picked on due to his size and never fits in. A kid who isn’t noticed at home and noticed for all the wrong reasons at school. A kid with so so much talent that he cannot recognise in himself because of how society has made him feel.
Cardboard Cowboys also tells the story of Bruce. From the get go you know Bruce is an absolute legend. FACT! At first Lenny doesn’t know what to make of the homeless man chasing him away from his plunky bench, but as time goes on they help each other in ways that you would not expect.
For a middle grade book CC packs such a punch! It has so many valuable lessons on bullying and being bullied for those children looking to move up schools. It also has lessons about loving yourself, body image, family life and things that only some kids will ever experience.
I will say at points Bruce had me on edge wondering what his intentions actually were with Lenny. I was scared that Brian was going to be promoting befriending some dodgy adults to kids. But it all works itself out in the end!
As a 31 year old woman it still taught me some valuable lessons. It doesn’t read like a children’s novel which must be so refreshing for any young kid to read! It deals with things that they will face so openly and honestly and at the same time will have everyone in the room howling with laughter from the get go!
This book is legendary! FACT!
Cardboard Cowboys tells the story of Lenny, a kid who is often picked on due to his size and never fits in. A kid who isn’t noticed at home and noticed for all the wrong reasons at school. A kid with so so much talent that he cannot recognise in himself because of how society has made him feel.
Cardboard Cowboys also tells the story of Bruce. From the get go you know Bruce is an absolute legend. FACT! At first Lenny doesn’t know what to make of the homeless man chasing him away from his plunky bench, but as time goes on they help each other in ways that you would not expect.
For a middle grade book CC packs such a punch! It has so many valuable lessons on bullying and being bullied for those children looking to move up schools. It also has lessons about loving yourself, body image, family life and things that only some kids will ever experience.
I will say at points Bruce had me on edge wondering what his intentions actually were with Lenny. I was scared that Brian was going to be promoting befriending some dodgy adults to kids. But it all works itself out in the end!
As a 31 year old woman it still taught me some valuable lessons. It doesn’t read like a children’s novel which must be so refreshing for any young kid to read! It deals with things that they will face so openly and honestly and at the same time will have everyone in the room howling with laughter from the get go!
This book is legendary! FACT!