The Beck, Anthony McGowan
The Beck, Anthony McGowan
List: $16.99 | Sale: $11.89
Club: $8.49

The Beck

Author: Anthony McGowan

Narrator: Joe Pitts

Unabridged: 2 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/13/2025

Synopsis

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. 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.

About Anthony McGowan

Anthony McGowan has a BA, MPhil, and Ph.D. in philosophy, and he has lectured widely on philosophy and creative writing. As an author for children and young adults, he's won many awards, and his novel The Art of Failing was named an Observer Book of the Year. He lives in North London with his wife and two children.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephen the Bookworm on May 08, 2025

Anthony McGowan is a superb writer and The Beck is another winning story. This is the story of Kyle; a thirteen year old who finds himself spending time with his grandad after his parents have to attend hospital appointments . Kyle perceives his grandad as a fusty old man but upon discovering he is no......more

Goodreads review by Katy on February 23, 2025

Beautifully crafted short story, lovely relationship build in a tale of environmental activism. I loved McGowan's other tales set within this world - Brock, Rook, and already loved the author's longer works. He's a name I see and barely question - I'll read him. This could have been a full-length nove......more

Goodreads review by Ian on March 29, 2025

Lovely book with a timely environmental theme. It shouldn't be as gripping as it is, which is a testament to the skill of the writer. The characters are well drawn and there is a lot of humour. Nicely observed emotions too.......more

Goodreads review by Kirsty on October 18, 2024

I thought this was so well done......more

Goodreads review by Anthony on April 30, 2025

Excellent children’s story in which a young lad, Kyle, discovers a) his grandfather isn’t such a queer old stick as he thought, b) that a beck can be more interesting than the internet, and c) that the way people appear does not necessarily mean they aren’t something rather different. It’s ideal for a......more

Quotes

"McGowan's short and accessible novels have made him the fairy godfather of less confident readers … another masterclass, telling the story of a boy and his grandfather who conspire to save a local stream from property developers." – "Witty, wise and occasionally wicked, nobody tells a story like the great Tony McGowan" – Phil Earle " 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 "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 "A funny, poignant, heartfelt and hopeful 11+ story, from a Carnegie-winning author and a dyslexia-friendly press." – "This powerful story from Carnegie-winning Anthony McGowan connects you with its characters immediately. The dynamic between Kyle and his sharp-tongued, restless grandad is a driving force and is outrageously funny – the wig’s funeral will have you in stitches!" — BookTrust "From fire to water: returning to the environs of Leeds, Anthony McGowan has in written a thoughtful study of intergenerational friendship and mankind’s relationship with the natural world … McGowan’s simple but gripping plot, allied to an understanding of the trials teenage boys face, makes this a fine read." – "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

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