The List — 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 â€" it can make and break friendships.

Reviews

"This book keeps you guessing from the start as the pair work through the challenges. Gray's pacing never slows as the boys get up to all sorts of shenanigans and discover the true meaning of friendship." â€" The Scotsman

"The perfect novella. Friendship, revenge, deceit, brotherhood, love â€" The List simply has it all." â€" Phil Earle

"With strong characters from the outset, it manages the trick of being sad, funny, and hopeful all at the same time. A lovely read." -- Alastair Chisholm

"Keith Gray absolutely nails the highs and lows of close friendship, in this expertly plotted, no-frills portrait of village life." â€" Jonathan Meres

"The List is one of the most life-affirming books I've read. A warm, funny and tender novel about friendship and joy and betrayal â€" I can't recommend it enough. It captures the essence of having people in your life you can count on. A book full of astonishing depth and clarity â€" I would give my right arm to write like this!" â€" Varsha Shah

"Gray has captured the fragile elasticity of boys' friendships perfectly â€" The List is a compulsive story, brilliantly written." â€" Martin Stewart

"Keith Gray has done it again. An absolutely superb novella on the complexities of teenage (particularly male) friendships. Funny, cleverly plotted and just gorgeous. The List is every bit as impressive as The Climbers and The Den." -- Lesley Parr

"An emotional and compelling read which explores themes of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and the power of memories. Dyslexia-friendly, strong characterisation and with funny and tender moments this is perfect for reluctant boy readers." â€" Peters, Books of the Week

"Keith Gray understands the challenges young people face … They see a little bit of themselves in the characters and understand that they're not alone in navigating these tricky situations. These books should be in every secondary school library (with a librarian who knows the books and students so they can make the perfect recommendations)." â€" Scope for Imagination

About the author

KEITH GRAY's debut novel Creepers was published when he was only 24 and was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. His subsequent books include Ostrich Boys which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal as well as the Costa Children's Book Award and has been adapted for the stage, The Last Soldier which was shortlisted for the Scottish Teen Book Awards, and The Runner which won the Smarties Silver Medal. Keith lives with his family in Vienna, Austria, where he co-founded the writer development community Kulturverein: Sunday Writers' Club.