The Fall

by Anthony McGowan

Mog and his mates are bored. Their school's a dump - the type of place kids get expelled to. Their lives seem pointless. The most exciting thing they do is jump over the the polluted stream at the back of the school. And it's there that two separate events occur which will change Mog's life forever...

Genres: Young Adult

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Anthony John McGowan is an English author of books for children, teenagers and adults. He is the winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for Lark. In addition to his 2020 win, he has been twice longlisted (for The Knife That Killed Me in 2008 and Brock in 2014) and once shortlisted (for Rook in 2018) for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, and is the winner of the 2006 Booktrust Teenage Prize for Henry Tumour.

Reviews

[whatbooknext · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mog spends his days at school avoiding the bullies. He and his mates stick together, keep their heads down and watch the power plays and fights between the bigger kids. These kids are mean, looking to build their reputations in and out of school.

Chris is who Mog and his friends look to and follow. Chris is popular among them, especially to Mog. They understand each other, enjoy their banter and shared humour and hang out together after school. When Mog sees this friendship threatened by another, he’s not sure how to handle it.

Something Mog likes about Chris is his inherent goodness. This isn’t seen as weak or soft, but something that helps the group stay on an even keel. It’s not spoken of, and Chris and Mog enjoy petty crimes as much as the next kid, but they’re not mean.

When Chris slowly allows a new kid into their group – a kid who is bullied daily by the school thugs and deemed a complete loser by all; Mog isn’t happy. He decides to do something about it. His decision has an unexpected ripple effect, changing everything for them all.


Anthony McGowan’s masterful storytelling strikes again. The Fall is a YA novel of grit, peer pressure, friendship dynamics and survival within a school. Individual choices become betrayals that change lives forever. The writing is succinct, powerful, and credible. Written for Dyslexic readers, its no-holds-barred topic and authenticity will grab reluctant readers too.

A scattering of illustrations allow breaks in the text, and the larger font and line spacing also make The Fall a story to readily consume.

This is a superb addition to other stories by McGowan, with teen boys as protagonists, dealing with life and all it has to deal out to them.


Author – Anthony McGowan

Illustrator – Chris King

Reading Age – 7 / Interest Age – 13+

Dyslexic Title

[Lori Spier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fall is a short, yet wonderful, book - one that leaves you questions unanswered at the end, but they're *good* questions.

Is the Fall a fall from childhood? A fall from innocence? A fall away from childhood friends as we all grow older? It's ultimately up to the reader to decide.

This book is written for "reluctant readers": older teens who may read below grade level, or who simply don't like to read. The language used is easy to understand, yet it doesn't read as if you're being talked down to. The descriptions are vivid; you can see the beck with its scummy water, or Duffy fading into a near-ghost.

Readers can also relate to events that happen: bullies who torment other kids just for being different, the cliques that naturally form in school and how resistant they can be to new members, the stupid fun you have with friends...

Highly recommend for older teens.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading stories for reluctant readers. I love getting my hands on a book that I can be excited about and able to share with our more intensive needs readers. This is one of those books.

Usually I find reluctant reader stories to be watered down and lacking in depth, but this one is not. There were many instances that I stopped to think about the imagery and the duality of a situation. Even the title has many possible meanings and will make for a great discussion.

This story line and some of the scenes will not be for everyone. Some parts are a little harsh but in my opinion they are fine for the +14 and older male reader and will even serve as a hook to hold their interest.

I will definitely be recommending this one.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Lisbeth Avery {Domus Libri} · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actual Rating: .5

MINI SPOILER FILLED REVIEW

THE FALL is a short story narrated by a middle-aged man who received a call from an old friend saying how their middle school/high school friend has passed. This accounts for around 10% of the story, the rest being a flashback.

My main problem with THE FALL is there isn't really a central plot, it's just a seemingly random and uneventful few weeks in this guy's life. These weeks supposedly changed his life forever but from what I can see, there are no life changing moments in THE FALL.

I've read some really amazing short stories in which the world building, plot, and characters were well defined and beautiful. As a consequence, I have started to expect only the best from my short stories. This one however broke that streak with its utterly terrible prose and story.

What really made THE FALL the worst short I've read is the lack of finesse to it. The writing felt like a really bad 6th grader's homework assignment. It was choppy, bland, and forced. I'm just glad that there were only around 100 - 150 pages otherwise I would have DNF'ed it.

The blurb promises a "dark and rebellious read" but in fact, there was nothing neither dark nor rebellious about this book. The plot was uneventful and basically revolved around how amazing this one guy, Chris is. There are around two chapters that are solely devoted to how everyone worships Chris.



After those few chapters, we get to see how the main character, who's name I am uncertain of (Mog I think), does everything for Chris and even though Chris is rude to him, they're besets buds forever. Erm, okay then. The other chapters are about how Chris really wants to pick up his big brother's crossbow and for a few chapters, they're just debating whether or not to pick it up. In the end, they decide to go out to the woods with the crossbow and Mog accidentally kills a fox. The end.

... oook then. In the epilogue, it is stated that killing the fox ruined Mog's life forever but how? How did any of the events in the story ruin his life? They're not life-ruining things! He killed a fox. That's sad and all but does killing a fox ruin your life? In any way? Nope, not really.

The characters were undefined blobs really. I couldn't tell the difference between them. There's the popular-not-popular kid and then a bunch on nobodies with no personality or defining qualities.

Yes, I understand that in 150 pages (or so), it's hard to define your characters but um, how do lower MG books do it? Or other short stories? It is possible to have a short story with well-rounded characters.

The writing was simplistic to an extent that it was basically "Bob walked down the stairs. Bob said hi. Bob walked away." That's really how it felt but it in the short, it was more like: "Bob walked down the stairs. Bob said "HI motherfucker!!” Bob walked away.

Cursing does not equal intelligent, mature writing. I'm sorry.

I wouldn't recommend this short story to anyone because it's physically painful to read. I can't really recommend any other shorts at this reading level but definitely not this one.


Find more reviews at my blog:

[Michelle (Fluttering Butterflies) · Rating 3 out of 5]

To read more reviews by me, you can always visit my blog Fluttering Butterflies

The Fall by Anthony McGowan is another story that had unexpected depth to it. Our main character, Mog, has recently heard news of an old school friend and tells us this story of two specific incidents involving a group of friends that he had growing up.

I think The Fall can at times be a little bit harsh to read. The tone of the book and the writing style are both pretty bleak. This group of boys attend a school that has known better times and bullying and other anti-social behaviour seems to be rife. This is a story in which none of the characters are very likeable and you can hardly say you 'enjoyed' the story when it's finished. But I did still find it interesting.

I think the main concept behind this story is the loss of innocence. In both of the incidents that occur, something beautiful or innocent seems to be destroyed. There is quite an obvious connection between a fox and a bullied boy within this story and I think conversations can be had about the meaning of the title and about Mog's reasons for doing what he did. It certainly made me stop and think.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time high school English teacher, I am always looking for high interest novels that will be best for my kids who don’t like to read or who have some problems reading.

This is one of those rare books that is short enough and yet about events that perhaps all of us have endured – that old peer pressure – whether we feel it or make others feel it – and how it can change us and our friends.

And it’s just not this that makes this book a real find. This novel also
leaves a lot of questions for us – ideal for class discussion and writing topics – questions such as: Why this title? Why does Chris change? Who or what causes him to change? Has the narrator changed? What is he like by the end of the book?

But THE FALL is also just a terrific book to sit down with and enjoy – and perhaps it will make you think a little about your own life, your own experiences.

[Sannie Hald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy from Stoke Books by requesting on Netgalley.com

Stoke Books are created specifically for reluctant or dyslexic readers. The books are short and action-packed with compelling narratives. This book is aimed at kids aged 14 and up with a 4th grade reading level.

So, this book does not really have a proper start nor ending. Just a kid talking about some other kids he went to school with in England. It was weird, but i liked it. It was about tough boys from the slums and no moral really. Just what they did...

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful yet unsatisfactory: perhaps needs to be read as a poem rather than as a novel?

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was grim and serious.

[Jenna Scribbles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intended For Teen Reluctant Readers

The Fall is the fourth title I've read offered by Stoke Books. They have a line intended for dyslexic or struggling teen readers. Unfortunately I don't feel this is a good option for students.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher for review purposes.

I am the mom of a teen boy with dyslexia, I've spent many hours sitting next to him assisting him with his reading tasks. I feel he would have a difficult time with The Fall. The lingo is quite conversational. There is a lot of jargon and odd word choices. It seems to be narrated by a middle-aged character out of 1950's but this story is about a teen boy and happens near our current time frame (mentions of cell phones and CDs).

The choppy sentences made me question the editing. I also felt there were vast amounts of story and characters offered too quickly. I also didn't care for the storyline nor did I feel it would offer much for classroom units or book reports. Sadly, it is a jumbled dump of violent scenes.

I encourage the publisher to keep the reading levels low for future titles, but work on the editing of the stories presented. I enjoyed GHOSTING and PALE - also Stoke titles. I feel those are much better options. Finally, analyzing the text using the Lexile Measurement will bring insight into the story's true reading level.

[Miss Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading books aimed at reluctant readers. They make feel so accomplished and smart. The Fall was no exception. It moved along quickly, had short chapters, and read like an introspective episode of a HBO show (meaning it had cable TV language). Alas, the awesome reading groove I was in really soured with the ending, or lack thereof. Compared to the strength of the rest of the book the ending was bland bland bland. Booooo! I read Annick Press' Single Voice series a few years ago and enjoyed them much more (Nothing But Your Skin was so amazing!). Plus The Fall has animal murder and that always makes me cranky. Grrrrr....

[Jack · Rating 1 out of 5]

For book reviews and more, please visit my book blog, The Book Stop

This was one of the worst, if not the worst, book I ever read in my life. The story was boring, pointless, a bit gruesome, and depressing. I couldn't connect or relate to any of the characters because I hated them all. There was no climax or resolution in the story. It was just one big problem. The ending was blunt and stupid. I had to force myself to read on through the whole book. There was no description and no likeable characters to back up the storyline. Overall, this book is a time-waster, I wish I had never read is book and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Lindsey Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anthony McGowan writes with gritty realism about working class childhood and bullying - I placed this book in the late 70s early 80s up north so it really did transport me back to my childhood. It is indeed grim and the descriptions are fantastic - rather poetic in places.

The book itself is a short novel aimed at reluctant readers and whilst I enjoyed it I do think it is possibly aiming a little high with the language and imagery. The kids I work with who tend to be EAL would struggle with it which is a shame.

[Chunyink · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it because it was interesting and also it is intense some times also i liked it because the book was all about friends, mostly on when you lose them.