29 Locks

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And it just works so, so well, raising so many ideas and issues in a provoking way that forces the reader to reconsider perspectives and challenges them to think differently. Locks by Nicola Garrard is a Young Adult book which I was drawn to immediately with the bright cover and the synopsis. Locks does not shy away from the realities of growing up in poverty, and it is an eye-opening read, but most of all, it is a tender, fully-realised portrait of a wonderful character that everyone needs to meet. Donny as a character feels startlingly real: naive at times but still someone who has seen far too much too soon.

Hotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's pageview limit. Difficult and complex issues are present on these pages, but the writing is so full of life and vivacity that you just glide along, keen to know how things will turn out for Donny, and rooting for him all the way. But as each lock is navigated and conquered, their adventures take on a new dimension, and life will never be the same again. When Donny is taken from London finally and to Hertfordshire, he feels out of his depth and is taunted by his classmates who judge him by both how he looks and where he comes from.There is no authorial barrier between Donny’s voice and the reader; his use of Multicultural London English (as helpfully glossed at the back of the book! Donny is initially taken to a family who live across the otherside of London and despite loving for his Mum, he loves the simple comforts that most take for granted. There are enough references to 29 Locks to make it an utterly convincing sequel, but it works absolutely as a standalone story. A hot meal, a warm bath when he needs and wants it, a parental figure who shows him true affection and puts her children first.

Now 15 years old, he and Zoe, his posh girlfriend and aspiring model, make the journey back to London to reunite with Donny’s mother. After all, it's all he knows from early childhood and having a single mum addicted yo crack and God knows what else. Locks is suitable for students over 13 years of age and provides a nuanced route to discussing issues such as poverty, drugs, knife crime and racism.Donny has enough experience to know that something isn’t right and he will do whatever he has to to keep Zoe safe. Donny’s story is something a lot of young people find themselves in by being in and out of foster homes.

It's far from gentle, it's certainly not a fairytale and it doesn't have a single prince (or princess) charming. Garrard deals with hugely important issues, without ever preaching or compromising the pace and excitement of the narrative. Thanks so much for the opportunity to authenticate the North African Muslim experience in this wonderful book, and I am happy to be a part of it! Yet there are moments of humour too, as Donny and his new friends navigate countless dangers in an attempt to build a brighter future. Set between the violent estates of inner-city London and the rural home counties, 29 Locks tells the story of 15-year-old Donny, an ex-gang member from Hackney who is fostered outside of London after the disappearance of his beloved mother.The ending was absolutely unrealistic, and any teen of color in such a situation would get railroaded by the system, not released with a wink and an 'attaboy'. Nicola Garrad has painted a harsh and vivid picture that is an immersive, entertaining and educating (for some anyway) read. But with his new family and life looking brighter it isn’t long before he’s exposed to grooming, drugs and gang life. In what is becoming a bit of a theme at the moment, I must apologise for the delay in posting this review!

Donny's fate as I say, seems sealed and he's to be either an addict or responsible for others no matter what he does. Locks is dark, the world within the book is gritty and one that opens the reader's eyes to the reality of the world some have no choice of being a part of but there is also hope.The story is told with compassion but also with great skill- you will want to read right until the last word. It was chosen by Suzi Feay, books editor of The Financial Times, as one of the ‘Best Books of 2021’ It is also on the longlist for the prestigious Branford Boase Award for outstanding first-time novelists. Payments made using National Book Tokens are processed by National Book Tokens Ltd, and you can read their Terms and Conditions here. A story that is narrated in first person, which I prefer as you get to know the character and Donny is a lad that I warmed to immediately on his and Zoe's journey of the 29 locks.