The List: a life-affirming teen tale from acclaimed author Keith Gray

by Keith Gray

Can friendships survive as Denny relives the good times and rewrites the bad in this comic and compelling tale from award-winning author Keith Gray?

It’s the end of the summer and Denny is having to move away with his mum now that she’s found a good job, but he’s not planning on leaving quietly. He’s made a list of scores to settle and wrongs to right before he goes. He asks his best friend, Jake, to help.

Jake is absolutely gutted that Denny is leaving and worries what life will be like without him. Of course he’ll do anything to help, no matter how weird or unrealistic the items on Denny’s list might be. But the list is more powerful than either of them realise – it can make and break friendships.

Genres: Young Adult

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2024

About the author

Keith Gray grew up in and around Grimsby and Cleethorpes on the east coast of England and decided he'd better take his writing ambition seriously after achieving 0% in his accountancy exams. His debut, 'Creepers', was published when he was only 24 and was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize. Since then his books have either won or been shortlisted for awards all over the world including the Sankei Cultural Publishing Prize of Japan, the American Library Association Best Books (YA) and the Booktrust Teenage Prize. In the UK his bestselling novel 'Ostrich Boys' was shortlisted for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal, the Costa Children's Book Award and won the Scottish Children's Book Awards, and has been adapted for the stage. Keith has been a reviewer for both the Guardian and Scotsman newspapers. In 2017 he moved to live in Vienna, Austria, with his partner, their daughter and a parrot called Bellamy. Keith is a co-founder of Sunday Writers’ Club.

Reviews

[Jonathan Sellars · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing as effortless as reading a Keith Gray book. I don't how he does it (but I'm very jealous), he immediately sweeps you up and carries you off into the story. The List is no different. It's just brilliant. For anyone who loves reading, and for anyone who doesn't.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief look at friendship and moving away.

A short but still complete Barrington Stoke title where two thirteen-year-old best friends are about to be separated, one of them moving away.

Denny has to leave in a few days, though he's refusing to pack. He wants to complete a List before he goes though, of things he regrets, of things he wishes he'd done. And he's ask best friend Jake to help.

Jake is already deeply saddened to be losing his best friend and worried about being alone when he goes. Of course he's going to help, but it's making it all more real.

Though the week doesn't go quite as either expects as they work out how to right some wrongs and relive past highs... possibly testing their friendship and forging new ones as they go along.

Realistic portrayal of two young lads and their hard-to-express adolescent emotions. Denny's list is a mixture of glory-reliving, sweet or kind thoughts and past dark actions he wants to change. A list many will identify with.

Nicely written, and very accessible.

For ages 11-14.

Jake is absolutely gutted that Denny is leaving and worries what life will be like without him. Of course he’ll do anything to help, no matter how weird or unrealistic the items on Denny’s list might be. But the list is more powerful than either of them realise – it can make and break friendships.

[Nichola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completed this on audio, through my Libby app, which is not an edition listed here...
Although brief, I really enjoyed this story of a teen preparing to move away by accomplishing things that he decided were important. I liked how the tasks weren't all mean spirited, and consequences weren't varied and created several different outcomes. Unexpectedly complete for such a quick listen, satisfying.

[Kallie Alviano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a quick, easy read and this book was PERFECT! Such a simple premise, two 13yo besties trying to fulfil a list before one of them moves away but there are some twists that hook you in.
Written in a way that is engaging & entertaining, there are some genuine laugh out loud moments (not suitable when you are meant to be supervising an exam! Oops) the result is a highly engaging story about losing a friend (kind of) while gaining others and learning to adapt.

[Blossom · Rating 2 out of 5]

if my so called best friend stole my phone and made no attempts to try and make it up to me except for boasting that he completed his silly list, I would be mad too!! Even the other friends seemed to be hypnotised about Danny finishing his list instead of consoling the Jake.

[Hâf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five days to go and five things on the list, not a Bucket List but a Moving Away List. This story shows the determination, perseverance, and maturity of teens when faced with life changing events.

[Rick Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Clare Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and easy to read. Showing that friendship is important and you need to support eachother. I'd recommend it for children 14 and older.

[Millie Mulroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful novel. I am quite a bit older than the target audience, but I do remember being 13. And this made me feel like part of the group.