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Pike

Anthony McGowan author Staffan Gnosspelius illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers

Publishing:13th Mar '25

£7.99

This title is due to be published on 13th March, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Pike cover

From the Carnegie Medal-winning author of Lark (Dyslexia-friendly)

Family bonds are tested when a fishing expedition nosedives into near tragedy in this novella from Carnegie Medal winner Anthony McGowan.

Family bonds are tested when a fishing expedition nosedives into near tragedy in this novella from Carnegie Medal winner Anthony McGowan.

When Nicky spots a glint of gold down in the murky depths of Bacon Pond, he can’t ignore it. It could mean money for his family, and money helps patch things up when you haven’t got any.

But sometimes it’s better not to look too deep. Not when there are local gangsters involved and tough questions about your family’s past.

Nicky knows it’s a bad idea to go back – it could ruin everything. But if he can't leave it alone, will the secrets of Bacon Pond drag them all down?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 9.

"McGowan writes in prose as spare and effective as that of Barry Hines … there’s an extraordinary depth and elegance to this story. An outstanding novel" – LoveReading4Kids

"A gut-wrenching tale of crime and punishment makes [Pike] compelling reading" – New Statesman

"Dazzlingly true to life, a succinct yet satisfying read" – INIS

"McGowan … manages to transform a relatively simple storyline into a gripping tale with a fresh outlook and edgy twist" – Reading Zone

"This story is an object lesson in the art of compression. In only 128 pages it touches on natural history, sibling relationships, living with mental disability, split families, fear of outsiders, dealing with bullies and coping with guilt" – Books For Keeps

ISBN: 9780008739041

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 9mm

Weight: 270g

136 pages

New Second edition