The Beck - by Anthony McGowan (Paperback)

About the Book

From Carnegie Medal winning author Anthony McGowan comes an environmental tale packed full of his signature grit, heart and humour, as Kyle and his grandad execute a plan to save the local beck.

Book Synopsis

From Carnegie Medal-winning author Anthony McGowan comes an environmental tale packed full of his signature grit, heart and humor, as Kyle and his grandad execute a plan to save the local beck.

Kyle is less than happy about getting dumped at his eccentric old grandad's on a Saturday afternoon. Embarrassed by his grandad's ratty old Elvis wig and his weird three-legged dog, Kyle thinks the day is going to be a nightmare until his grandad introduces him to the marvels in the beck at the bottom of his garden.

Once filthy and full of rubbish, the stream has been cleaned up and is now home to some amazing creatures. But this magical world is under threat from a new development.

Kyle's grandad is determined to stop the builders and has an audacious plan to save the beck, but when he falls ill, will Kyle find the courage to carry it out by himself?

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

Review Quotes

"Witty, wise and occasionally wicked, nobody tells a story like the great Tony McGowan" - Phil Earle

"The Beck is constantly entertaining, equally thought-provoking, and proof yet again of Anthony McGowan's wonderful storytelling skills. Full of hope and humour, there's heart and soul on every page" - Keith Gray

"A sharply observed book about the power of nature. Fun, hopeful and wise." -- Hannah Gold

"Anthony McGowan is a miraculous storyteller. He has the power to move you, make you laugh out loud, cringe in embarrassment and recoil in disgust in a single page. This book is a small piece of magic from the mind of a very great writer" - Katya Balen

"Such brilliant, immediate story telling; one of those books that takes you into the landscape and along with the characters. I was right there with Kyle, the reluctant hero, as Karthi and Grandad prodded him from behind ... Absolutely brilliant" - Hilary McKay

"A gorgeous story, told with McGowan's signature wit and tight, spare prose. I cried. I laughed. I crossed my fingers for Kyle and Karthi and Rude Word too" - Joanna Nadin

"Love, love, love this ⁩. A boy's relationship with his grumpy grandpa in Leeds, a three-legged dog, a terrific heroine, bullies and a battle to save an urban stream. It's like Kes, but funny, warm and hopeful. Another winner!" - Amanda Craig

"Anthony McGowan's novels are always ones to look forward to - books for children that go beyond the usual suspects. Books that make children think" - Vaseem Khan

"A timeless, exquisitely crafted tale of resistance and standing up for what's right, McGowan's environmental tale revolves around a boy and his grandfather's determination to save their beloved beck from developers." -- Waterstones

"There is not a word out of place in this perfectly crafted, wise and extremely witty novella about caring for the natural world." -- Highlights of the Season, Children's Buyer's Guide

About the Author

Anthony McGowan is one of the most widely acclaimed YA and children's authors in the UK, with novels including The Knife that Killed Me and The Dogs of the Deadlands, a Financial Times and Guardian Book of the Year. His Barrington Stoke titles include the Carnegie Medal shortlisted Rook and the 2020 Carnegie Medal winner Lark, which the judges described as "a standalone masterpiece".