NZ Intermediate School Librarians discussion

Have just finished reading this title by Geraldine McCaughrean, winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2018.
I cannot say I enjoyed it, or indeed, that I didn't. I feel conflicted. I thought it was a little like Lord of the Flies and seemed quite adult in some of its themes. I can't decide whether I think it's suitable for Y7/8. Any thoughts?

I haven't read this Joanna so I'm sorry I can't help! We don't have it in our LRC at Heaton and I don't think I will be buying it now. I did try to read "The Middle of Nowhere" by the same author a few years ago - I remember being quite underwhelmed by that novel, to the extent that I didn't finish it...

Hi Joanna,
I have read it and yes, it is a little adult in some of it's themes. Would thoroughly recommend it to secondary but not Y7/8. It is intense and the adults do not behave well. There is great strain mentally as there would have been - it is based on a real event.

Thanks for this Linley. So handy having another opinion.