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The Climbers
In this compelling story of teenage rivalry and friendship, award-winning author Keith Gray captures the subtle agonies and reality of life growing up in a small town.
Sully is the best climber in the village. He can scale the Twisted Sister's tangled branches and clamber up Double Trunker with ease. But when new kid Nottingham shows up and astonishes everyone with his climbing skills, Sully's status is under threat and there's only one way to prove who's best. Sully and Nottingham must race to climb the last unnamed tree. Whoever makes it to the top will become a legend. But something spiteful and ugly has reared its head in Sully ... Is it worth losing everything just to reach the top?
Sully is the best climber in the village. He can scale the Twisted Sister's tangled branches and clamber up Double Trunker with ease. But when new kid Nottingham shows up and astonishes everyone with his climbing skills, Sully's status is under threat and there's only one way to prove who's best. Sully and Nottingham must race to climb the last unnamed tree. Whoever makes it to the top will become a legend. But something spiteful and ugly has reared its head in Sully ... Is it worth losing everything just to reach the top?
115 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2021
5 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Keith Gray
45 books57 followersKeith 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 8, 2021
Sully lives in a small village where very little goes on; something that I suspect many teenagers bemoan. For 15-year-old Sully, the world is gradually changing too. His best friend, Mish is working hard at school now because she wants to leave for University and his other friends are a little tired of Sully's arrogant attitude. For there's something he's the best at in the village and that's climbing the trees in the park: the only thing that entertains the locals. So when another boy with a scarred face turns up going under the name Nottingham and claims he's a better climber, Sully's world is uprooted a little more.
This short story is more than teenage rivalry. There's a clever message here about the foundations of our identity, the complexity of trying to fit in and find a space in a very small world and make a name for yourself. That sense of looking in rather than looking out is powerful here as the trees as a symbol of power, respect and a chance to escape is well done. A fine YA book with plenty to discuss.
This short story is more than teenage rivalry. There's a clever message here about the foundations of our identity, the complexity of trying to fit in and find a space in a very small world and make a name for yourself. That sense of looking in rather than looking out is powerful here as the trees as a symbol of power, respect and a chance to escape is well done. A fine YA book with plenty to discuss.
September 22, 2024
Den här boken är perfekt för den som inte läser så mycket, som behöver att saker händer hela tiden för att kunna läsa. Den här boken är ganska lättläst med korta kapitel, och den blir aldrig långtråkig.
Boken handlar om Sully, som är byns bästa klättrare och det är hans grej - han är bäst på att klättra. I parken finns det fem stora träd som fått sina namn efter den klättrare som först nådde toppen. Alla - utom 1. Sully ska bli den första upp på det sista, största trädet och namnge det efter sig själv - men den nya killen kan möjligtvis vara en ännu bättre klättrare än vad Sully är...
Stolthet, lojalitet, ego, att vara en vän, en tävlingsmänniska...
Boken handlar om Sully, som är byns bästa klättrare och det är hans grej - han är bäst på att klättra. I parken finns det fem stora träd som fått sina namn efter den klättrare som först nådde toppen. Alla - utom 1. Sully ska bli den första upp på det sista, största trädet och namnge det efter sig själv - men den nya killen kan möjligtvis vara en ännu bättre klättrare än vad Sully är...
Stolthet, lojalitet, ego, att vara en vän, en tävlingsmänniska...
January 8, 2022
What a great book for a teen who is daunted by a big, fat book, and also needs a compelling story to hold the attention. This book is thin with short chapters, and encompasses feelings of competition, anger, pride, loyalty, ego, and what it means to be a friend.
As Sully continually proclaims, he's "the best climber in the village", and that's a big part of his identity. All five big trees in the village park are named and known by the climbers, except one. Sully's determined to conquer the last tree and name it....after himself. When a new boy with impressive climbing chops arrives in town, Sully's back goes up.
As Sully continually proclaims, he's "the best climber in the village", and that's a big part of his identity. All five big trees in the village park are named and known by the climbers, except one. Sully's determined to conquer the last tree and name it....after himself. When a new boy with impressive climbing chops arrives in town, Sully's back goes up.
January 16, 2023
A great read and perfect for reluctant readers. Based around a friendship group built through their love of tree climbing, I felt the topic was fresh while simultaneously bringing back nostalgia from my own memories of living in a small town. The underlying themes of identity were relatable and emotive. I think many young adults could relate to the feeling of being "left behind" and fearing change as their friends grow up around them.
(Read as part of a Book Shadowing project)
(Read as part of a Book Shadowing project)
August 26, 2021
The Climbers is a captivating story, beautifully told by Keith Gray.
A tale of teenage friendships and rivalries that will keep you guessing and linger long in the memory.
It’s another fabulous book in the impressive Barrington Stoke collection of short but thoroughly engaging stories to encourage a love of reading. And it certainly does that.
A tale of teenage friendships and rivalries that will keep you guessing and linger long in the memory.
It’s another fabulous book in the impressive Barrington Stoke collection of short but thoroughly engaging stories to encourage a love of reading. And it certainly does that.
December 26, 2021
Now, I went through a phase as a teen where I was put off reading books for my age group because they sometimes seemed so unnecessarily long. The Climbers would have been perfect for me. A great story, something you could dive into and whizz through and fully enjoy. A brilliant book! Really enjoyed reading this!
March 1, 2023
So cute loved it so much and gave me summer vibes
October 30, 2021
It was okay. I didn't love it but I read it.
I think for younger reader it might be more interesting but for me it was not it. 🤷🏻♀️
I think for younger reader it might be more interesting but for me it was not it. 🤷🏻♀️
April 6, 2022
what was the reason.
December 20, 2021
The Climbers is my second five star read this month - both have been children’s books. This is the story of Sully, Mish and Nottingham - what epic names! They live in a village, go to school, struggle with homework, ride bikes and climb trees. Sully is the best climber in the village ..that is until Nottingham arrives and he finds everything that he has counted on starts to disappear…And there’s a race..
Such a short book but such a big story. This is about friendship, rivalry, determination, kindness, self-worth, love and family. It is the kind of story that just spreads and spreads itself out like the roots of a tree as your imagination searches out the pieces the book can only intimate… I felt I had really come to know Sully, with his annoying older brother, his loving hard-working Mother, his sense of self value which rests on his reputation as a climber. Mish, a loyal friend, who everyone thinks is academically behind but actually is way ahead..I keep thinking about Nottingham and wondering what his story might be both before and after The Climbers..This tapped into so much of my inner child and those wobbly days when you are discovering yourself.I have found myself seeking out trees and wondering which ones would be the easiest to climb…
Such a short book but such a big story. This is about friendship, rivalry, determination, kindness, self-worth, love and family. It is the kind of story that just spreads and spreads itself out like the roots of a tree as your imagination searches out the pieces the book can only intimate… I felt I had really come to know Sully, with his annoying older brother, his loving hard-working Mother, his sense of self value which rests on his reputation as a climber. Mish, a loyal friend, who everyone thinks is academically behind but actually is way ahead..I keep thinking about Nottingham and wondering what his story might be both before and after The Climbers..This tapped into so much of my inner child and those wobbly days when you are discovering yourself.I have found myself seeking out trees and wondering which ones would be the easiest to climb…
September 1, 2021
Another great book from Keith Gray about rivalry and friendship. Love the way each chapter is about a specific tree. The protagonists are 15 years old so aimed at teens rather than MG - has dyslexia-friendly features such as clear, easy-to-read font and cream-coloured pages. RA 8 years.
August 6, 2021
The Clmbers is the latest release from Barrington Stoke books, and focuses on the struggles that teens can face living in small towns, and how they can pin their entire identity on one thing; even if that leads to them having to face awful consequences.
The story follows Sully, a teenage boy who lives in a town where there's not much for the kids to do, save climb trees. Climbing has become not just something to keep the kids busy, but something that they put all of their focus and energy into. For some, like Sully, it borders on an obsession. Whilst most of the trees in the town aren't much of a challenge for most of the climbers there are five that all the kids want to climb, the Big Five.
There's Twisted Sister, the Corkscrew Willow; Spider Trap, the Larch; Crazy Ash Bastard, the Ash tree; Double Trunker, the Oak tree spit in two by lightning; and The Last Tree, a huge Yew tree that hasn't been climbed by anyone yet, and as such hasn't been given a name. Sully has climbed the first four trees, and has set his sights on being the first to reach the top of the fifth, giving him the chance to name it.
However, when a new kid, Nottingham, arrives in town Sully sees his chances of naming the last tree beginning to slip from his fingers. Nottingham is a good climber, perhaps even better than Sully is. But rather than admitting that, rather than trying to make a friend, Sully sees Nottingham as nothing but a threat, and the two of them instantly clash. Their rivalry builds over just a few days, and the two of them agree to race up The Last Tree in the ultimate challenge of climbing skills. However, with Sully obsessing over his climbing he runs the risk of hurting his closest friend, and begins to realise that maybe he might be focusing on the wrong things in life.
The Climbers story struck me as one about addiction and obsession, and how destructive these feelings can be. Throughout the course of the book we see Sully obsessing over climbing above everything else. He pushes away his closest friend, he realises that he has no plans or cares about his future, and even begins to realise that his gloating and showmanship isn't appreciated by the other kids in the town. Sully begins the book believing that he's the best, and that everyone else must think the same and must love him because of that, but is slowly challenged as he learns that he's not as special or popular as he might think.
This might seem like a strange theme to build a kids book around, but I'd say it's pretty perfect. I remember clearly how many kids would make a certain aspect of their life their sole focus when I was a kid. It could have been who was the best at football, who was the best at Pokemon, who had the latest new fad, who had the most friends. Whatever it was, there was always something that kids would compete over, and it often led them to ignore everything else and make their whole personality this one thing. I dare say I even did it a few times.
Whilst this might seem harmless enough it's something that teaches some pretty bad habits, and kids who think this way can easily become adults who think this way. The Climbers takes the time show that this kind of thinking can often lead to you feeling alone or isolated, and that it can hurt those around you. It has an important lesson to its young readers that it's okay to not be the very best, to see that there are people that are better at certain things than you and not to be angry about it.
The book doesn't shy away from how nasty it can be to constantly be competing against other, or how putting yourself first can sometimes be cruel. There were times during the narrative that I found myself not liking Sully, where I saw what he was doing and I disliked him for it. He can be sneaky and vindictive, yet there are moments where he lets his guard down and those are when we see the good kid underneath trying to come out. Sully learns his lessons hard in this book, by causing real pain and suffering to others, but hopefully seeing it written out this way will help kids avoid doing the same in their real lives.
The Climbers is a story about having to fight your own inner demons to try and do the right thing, and about how failing to do so can have awful consequences. It's an important lesson that kids sometimes need to be shown.
The story follows Sully, a teenage boy who lives in a town where there's not much for the kids to do, save climb trees. Climbing has become not just something to keep the kids busy, but something that they put all of their focus and energy into. For some, like Sully, it borders on an obsession. Whilst most of the trees in the town aren't much of a challenge for most of the climbers there are five that all the kids want to climb, the Big Five.
There's Twisted Sister, the Corkscrew Willow; Spider Trap, the Larch; Crazy Ash Bastard, the Ash tree; Double Trunker, the Oak tree spit in two by lightning; and The Last Tree, a huge Yew tree that hasn't been climbed by anyone yet, and as such hasn't been given a name. Sully has climbed the first four trees, and has set his sights on being the first to reach the top of the fifth, giving him the chance to name it.
However, when a new kid, Nottingham, arrives in town Sully sees his chances of naming the last tree beginning to slip from his fingers. Nottingham is a good climber, perhaps even better than Sully is. But rather than admitting that, rather than trying to make a friend, Sully sees Nottingham as nothing but a threat, and the two of them instantly clash. Their rivalry builds over just a few days, and the two of them agree to race up The Last Tree in the ultimate challenge of climbing skills. However, with Sully obsessing over his climbing he runs the risk of hurting his closest friend, and begins to realise that maybe he might be focusing on the wrong things in life.
The Climbers story struck me as one about addiction and obsession, and how destructive these feelings can be. Throughout the course of the book we see Sully obsessing over climbing above everything else. He pushes away his closest friend, he realises that he has no plans or cares about his future, and even begins to realise that his gloating and showmanship isn't appreciated by the other kids in the town. Sully begins the book believing that he's the best, and that everyone else must think the same and must love him because of that, but is slowly challenged as he learns that he's not as special or popular as he might think.
This might seem like a strange theme to build a kids book around, but I'd say it's pretty perfect. I remember clearly how many kids would make a certain aspect of their life their sole focus when I was a kid. It could have been who was the best at football, who was the best at Pokemon, who had the latest new fad, who had the most friends. Whatever it was, there was always something that kids would compete over, and it often led them to ignore everything else and make their whole personality this one thing. I dare say I even did it a few times.
Whilst this might seem harmless enough it's something that teaches some pretty bad habits, and kids who think this way can easily become adults who think this way. The Climbers takes the time show that this kind of thinking can often lead to you feeling alone or isolated, and that it can hurt those around you. It has an important lesson to its young readers that it's okay to not be the very best, to see that there are people that are better at certain things than you and not to be angry about it.
The book doesn't shy away from how nasty it can be to constantly be competing against other, or how putting yourself first can sometimes be cruel. There were times during the narrative that I found myself not liking Sully, where I saw what he was doing and I disliked him for it. He can be sneaky and vindictive, yet there are moments where he lets his guard down and those are when we see the good kid underneath trying to come out. Sully learns his lessons hard in this book, by causing real pain and suffering to others, but hopefully seeing it written out this way will help kids avoid doing the same in their real lives.
The Climbers is a story about having to fight your own inner demons to try and do the right thing, and about how failing to do so can have awful consequences. It's an important lesson that kids sometimes need to be shown.
March 10, 2022
Sully's favourite thing is to climb. He enjoys the kudos of being "the best climber," in his small village and is loud and proud about it. He gained this self professed title after climbing the four out of five huge trees on the edge of their village.
There is the Corkscrew Willow named Twisted Sister, and a large Larch called the Spider Trap. There is the Ash - Crazy Ash Bastard, and and an ancient Oak named Double Trunker. There is only one tree that no one has conquered. This is a Yew tree, unclimbed, therefore not named and even bigger than all the others.
Sully's goal is to conquer this one day and have the glory of naming it.
Then Nottingham arrives. No one knows his real name, just where he is from. Nottingham is right next to Sherwood Forest where this stranger has climbed many a tree himself. He quickly proves how good a climber he is - threatening Sully's reputation and title in his village.
Climbing has become Sully's entire life. But with Nottingham's arrival, not only is his title threatened, hidden truths within his peer group are suddenly revealed. Sully's world is abruptly shifted off its axis and he suddenly has to reassess everything - climbing, those around him and most importantly, himself.
Split into 5 sections, each based around the next tree for the characters to tackle; this story is brilliantly structured in only 116 pages. The emotions of a 15 year old boy realising his position at the top of a peer-group pecking order is challenged, simply but entirely, sparking other shifts in his daily life.
This all happens in a short period of time, holding my interest as I wonder who will win increasingly dangerous challenges. The introspection that results is authentic and revealing, eventually imploding to a raw truth that must be faced.
Loved it.
Author - Keith Gray
Dyslexic Title / Reading Age 8 - Interest Age Teen
There is the Corkscrew Willow named Twisted Sister, and a large Larch called the Spider Trap. There is the Ash - Crazy Ash Bastard, and and an ancient Oak named Double Trunker. There is only one tree that no one has conquered. This is a Yew tree, unclimbed, therefore not named and even bigger than all the others.
Sully's goal is to conquer this one day and have the glory of naming it.
Then Nottingham arrives. No one knows his real name, just where he is from. Nottingham is right next to Sherwood Forest where this stranger has climbed many a tree himself. He quickly proves how good a climber he is - threatening Sully's reputation and title in his village.
Climbing has become Sully's entire life. But with Nottingham's arrival, not only is his title threatened, hidden truths within his peer group are suddenly revealed. Sully's world is abruptly shifted off its axis and he suddenly has to reassess everything - climbing, those around him and most importantly, himself.
Split into 5 sections, each based around the next tree for the characters to tackle; this story is brilliantly structured in only 116 pages. The emotions of a 15 year old boy realising his position at the top of a peer-group pecking order is challenged, simply but entirely, sparking other shifts in his daily life.
This all happens in a short period of time, holding my interest as I wonder who will win increasingly dangerous challenges. The introspection that results is authentic and revealing, eventually imploding to a raw truth that must be faced.
Loved it.
Author - Keith Gray
Dyslexic Title / Reading Age 8 - Interest Age Teen
February 26, 2022
3.5/5 stars. Book 5/18 on my Carnegie Long list Mission, though the first one I’ve read with this in mind.
Barrington Stokes are always interesting beasts. Writing such short form fiction is clearly a challenge for many writers, which seems to often have mixed results. The difficulty with their Teen offerings in particular is finding ways to reflect the emotional and intellectual maturity of teenagers whilst juggling this with the need to keep the language accessible and story brief.
The Climbers is definitely one of the more successful offerings in this collection. Whilst perhaps for younger teens, this perfectly captures the adventure and excitement of having something exciting and dangerous to share without adult supervision. What Gray does particularly well with this story is the subtlety with which he conveys just how dangerous the tree climbing is without having to write it in explicitly. I genuinely felt a bit spinny towards the end there.
The only real drawback is the slightly goofy dialogue - I know that reflecting actual teen dialogue is tough but woof, this felt silly. Things like this can make a book feel like it’s a children’s book for adults to enjoy and approve of, rather than a book for teens to seek out and enjoy on their own terms.
In terms of the Carnegie, I don’t quite see this going the distance, but it could shortlist.
Barrington Stokes are always interesting beasts. Writing such short form fiction is clearly a challenge for many writers, which seems to often have mixed results. The difficulty with their Teen offerings in particular is finding ways to reflect the emotional and intellectual maturity of teenagers whilst juggling this with the need to keep the language accessible and story brief.
The Climbers is definitely one of the more successful offerings in this collection. Whilst perhaps for younger teens, this perfectly captures the adventure and excitement of having something exciting and dangerous to share without adult supervision. What Gray does particularly well with this story is the subtlety with which he conveys just how dangerous the tree climbing is without having to write it in explicitly. I genuinely felt a bit spinny towards the end there.
The only real drawback is the slightly goofy dialogue - I know that reflecting actual teen dialogue is tough but woof, this felt silly. Things like this can make a book feel like it’s a children’s book for adults to enjoy and approve of, rather than a book for teens to seek out and enjoy on their own terms.
In terms of the Carnegie, I don’t quite see this going the distance, but it could shortlist.
July 25, 2023
I glanced over at a shelf in the library, saw this gorgeous cover and decided to give the book a try. I feel slightly old for this book (it would be more relatable if I'm a few years younger. Sometimes I feel like eye rolling at the boys' pettiness, but hey, I'm not the target audience am I?) but it's a quick, fast paced read suitable for middle grade.
The narrator Sully used to be the best climber in the village, and he's not going to let anyone forget it, not even when a new kid Nottingham seemed an even better climber than he is. Thus began a story full of tree climbing, competition, jealousy and finally closing to an ending with a moral lesson.
The plot is fast and I can't put the book down. The tension is real, and the interesting thing is, I'm alternating from rooting for Sully and Nottingham. It reminds me back in the days when kids are young, they don't realise how immature they are. Both of the characters are being jerks to each other; it doesn't matter who starts it first. I'm glad the boys become friends at the end.
The narrator Sully used to be the best climber in the village, and he's not going to let anyone forget it, not even when a new kid Nottingham seemed an even better climber than he is. Thus began a story full of tree climbing, competition, jealousy and finally closing to an ending with a moral lesson.
The plot is fast and I can't put the book down. The tension is real, and the interesting thing is, I'm alternating from rooting for Sully and Nottingham. It reminds me back in the days when kids are young, they don't realise how immature they are. Both of the characters are being jerks to each other; it doesn't matter who starts it first. I'm glad the boys become friends at the end.
December 6, 2021
In a village there are many trees but five important ones to "The Climbers". Sully is the best climber in the village, or he is at the moment. A newcomer, Nottingham, who they no nothing about is climbing "Twisted Sister", he falls but when Sully says he'll get Nottingham's cap back because he's the best climber. Nottingham just laughs and goes fully up "Twisted Sister" second try - Sully didn't manage that. A rash bet involving Sully's bike follows but Sully and his friends don't say why Sully has chosen "Spider Trap" as the tree for Nottingham to climb in order to win the bet. Nottingham finds out quickly - and doesn't win the bet. He does however, exact his revenge on Sully.
The book follows the boys as they try to decide whether they are friends or not. Can they climb the final tree?
A good story and published by Barrington Stoke so short chapters, book and good size text.
TA
The book follows the boys as they try to decide whether they are friends or not. Can they climb the final tree?
A good story and published by Barrington Stoke so short chapters, book and good size text.
TA
October 5, 2022
There were trees here, there and everywhere in our village. Maybe more trees than houses. And we climbed them all. But it was the ones in the park that were totally legendary. We called them the "Big Five."
Sully and his friends are climbers--adventurers who scale trees for views, but more importantly, glory. For the kid who climbs a tree first, comes the honor of naming the tree. Twisted Sister. Spider Trap. Crazy Ash Bastard. Double Trunker. But one tree, a so-far unclimbable tree, remains nameless as no kid has ever made it to the top.
In my attempt to make my classroom library more inclusive, I am continuing to read more and more books from Barrington Stoke Publishing. I previously read two Steve Cole books, Stitched Up and Welcome to Trashland. Gray's book was my least favorite, but it does create a fresh story line that is quick and accessible. Recommended for all readers GR 6-8.
Sully and his friends are climbers--adventurers who scale trees for views, but more importantly, glory. For the kid who climbs a tree first, comes the honor of naming the tree. Twisted Sister. Spider Trap. Crazy Ash Bastard. Double Trunker. But one tree, a so-far unclimbable tree, remains nameless as no kid has ever made it to the top.
In my attempt to make my classroom library more inclusive, I am continuing to read more and more books from Barrington Stoke Publishing. I previously read two Steve Cole books, Stitched Up and Welcome to Trashland. Gray's book was my least favorite, but it does create a fresh story line that is quick and accessible. Recommended for all readers GR 6-8.
January 12, 2023
Better than I thought it would be. A really good read for teenagers/tweens wanting to get into reading more, with enough mature content in it.
Protagonist was a dick, I mean he once said, when his competitor got hurt, "I hoped he hadn't broken anything. I wanted to beat him, not for him to be forced to back out because of injury."
It's like he's so wrapped up in himself and his skills that he doesn't realise how he's adapted socially to be.... Horrible. Totally self-absorbed and arrogant, hating when people want to improve their quality of life and are "betraying him." A huge lack compassion. Maybe he gets better? He has an epiphany but it's meager compared to the wealth of his arrogance.
Protagonist was a dick, I mean he once said, when his competitor got hurt, "I hoped he hadn't broken anything. I wanted to beat him, not for him to be forced to back out because of injury."
It's like he's so wrapped up in himself and his skills that he doesn't realise how he's adapted socially to be.... Horrible. Totally self-absorbed and arrogant, hating when people want to improve their quality of life and are "betraying him." A huge lack compassion. Maybe he gets better? He has an epiphany but it's meager compared to the wealth of his arrogance.
April 21, 2025
I rated this book a 3 star because I enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it told you about lots of different types of trees also sometimes it was funny and sometimes it was sad but that just made it better to read. The reason it’s not rated higher is because it’s just not the type of story which I love to read but I still liked it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is 12-15 who wants to have a fiction novel on trees and nature. 🌳🌳
September 14, 2021
The Climbers is a fast paced story which keeps you on your toes from start to finish. The characters are authentic and relatable and the dynamics between these teenagers are portrayed extremely well. I had been looking forward to reading this for some time and was not disappointed. Excited now to see what Keith Gray brings us next!
October 24, 2021
Initially, I thought I wouldn't like this book and it lacked depth. Boy, was I wrong! It reminded me of Bowler's River Boy. I loved the world building and the flawed protagonist. The book would have received 5 stars from me but the very last few pages let it down for me. Overall though, a great read that I recommend.
February 6, 2025
A great book for a teen who might be a reluctant reader, or who is put off by a big book. This is an accessible read, but aimed at the 13-15 year old reader.
Sully is the best tree-climber in the village, but a newcomer threatens his position. This book explores themes of friendship and rivalry, and the feeling of change as people start to think about their futures.
Sully is the best tree-climber in the village, but a newcomer threatens his position. This book explores themes of friendship and rivalry, and the feeling of change as people start to think about their futures.
August 23, 2022
A short, but realistic coming of age, and all that goes with that, story. The book gets more compelling and emotional as you get into it. Great characters with so few pages. And the tree climbing is a great new way to portray accurate maturing of the characters.
December 9, 2022
3.5 stars.
Wasn't the feel good story I thought it would be. Main character wasn't particularly likeable. However book was good overall and would be good for those getting back into read/struggling to read. Themes could potentially be interesting for those who like sports.
Wasn't the feel good story I thought it would be. Main character wasn't particularly likeable. However book was good overall and would be good for those getting back into read/struggling to read. Themes could potentially be interesting for those who like sports.
April 16, 2023
Another readier form the Cheltenham Festival Teachers Who Read = Pupils Who Read. This is a really small book so did not take long to read and would not intimidate those that are slow readers. This is a great little book about challenges and friendships. Highly recommended for younger readers.
August 27, 2021
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag
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October 17, 2021
Enjoyable.
October 13, 2022
a great simple story of boys and the tree's they love to climb. it was a nice easy enjoyable read
December 3, 2022
New class reader. Short and engaging - Y9 enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews