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Brian Conaghan

    Brian Conaghan, an educator and acclaimed author, delves into the complex emotions and lived experiences of young people. His writing is characterized by a profound sense of empathy, raw honesty, and a sharp portrayal of characters that resonates with readers across generations. Through his narratives, he explores themes of loss, friendship, and the search for identity, offering insights into the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. Conaghan's distinctive voice and deep understanding of adolescent psychology make him a significant storyteller in contemporary literature.

    Brian Conaghan
    Swimming on the Moon
    Cardboard Cowboys
    Stealing Happy
    When Mr Dog Bites
    The Bombs that Brought Us Together
    The M Word
    • The M Word

      • 352 pages
      • 13 hours of reading
      3.6(183)Add rating

      The narrative explores the complexities surrounding a taboo subject, urging readers to consider the implications of silence and secrecy. Through its characters, the story delves into the emotional and societal challenges tied to this sensitive topic, highlighting the weight of unspoken truths. As the plot unfolds, it invites reflection on the consequences of avoidance and the power of acknowledgment, making it a compelling read for those interested in deep, thought-provoking themes.

      The M Word
    • Growing up in a regime that oppresses its citizens, fourteen-year-old Charlie Law befriends a young refugee from a neighboring country, poised to attack Charlie's country

      The Bombs that Brought Us Together
    • When Mr Dog Bites

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading
      3.4(222)Add rating

      Dylan Mint has Tourette's. His life is a constant battle to keep the bad stuff in - the swearing, the tics, the howling dog that seems to escape whenever he gets stressed. But a routine visit to the hospital changes everything. Overhearing a hushed conversation between the doctor and his mum, Dylan discovers that he's going to die in March. So he makes a list of things he must do before he dies: first, he wants to have real sex with gorgeous Michelle Malloy; second, he's got to find his autistic best friend Amir a new best bud; third, he's got to get his dad back home from the army so they can say goodbye properly. It's not a long list, but it's ambitious, and he doesn't have much time. Sometimes you've just got to go for it - no holding back - and see what happens . . . This is the launch of a major new writing talent. Brian Conaghan makes you travel every step of the way in Dylan's shoes, laughing and crying - often at the same time - as Dylan faces the twists and turns of an unfair world with glorious optimism and wit.

      When Mr Dog Bites
    • Stealing Happy

      • 352 pages
      • 13 hours of reading

      Set in a gritty urban landscape, the story revolves around loan shark Chick Lennon, whose reputation casts a long shadow over Sonny Gilmour's neighborhood. Known for his ruthless tactics, Lennon embodies the darker side of finance and power, creating a tense atmosphere for those entangled in his web. As characters navigate their precarious situations, themes of desperation, morality, and survival come to the forefront, revealing the human cost of lending and borrowing in a world where trust is scarce.

      Stealing Happy
    • Multi-award-winning author Brian Conaghan's first book for 10+ readers is a future classic brimming with humour and heart Even though I found him living in a house made of cardboard, Bruce is a massive legend. FACT. So this mine and Bruce's story. You don't have to believe it happened, but it did. All of it. Nobody at school can see past Lenny's size to the person within. So when lessons get too tough, Lenny always goes to his bench to think. At least there no one can see him. Then one day, midway through lobbing his empty can of Irn-Bru into the canal he's stopped by Bruce. Bruce lives in a cardboard home hidden away by the banks, and he doesn't approve of kids messing up his front lawn ... But a bumpy start soon gives way to an unexpected friendship - and an epic road trip - that will change both of them for life ...

      Cardboard Cowboys
    • Twelve-year-old Anna's parents are going through a rough patch, but Anna can't let them split up. Not when it might mean living apart from Anto, her twin brother. Anto might be a boy, and he might not speak (except using Lego bricks), and he might carry a coat hanger about like it's his closest friend, but that doesn't stop the two of them being like peas in a pod. It's a twin thing, and nobody's going to separate them. So Anna hatches a plan: get the whole family on a plane to Italy. Her parents have always been happiest on holiday. How can they fail to fall back in love at a swanky hotel with an actual pool to swim in and everything! But when Anna discovers more about why her family has grown apart, suddenly a happy holiday in Italy seems about as likely as swimming on the moon ...

      Swimming on the Moon
    • Con O'Neill is stuck in a world of brutal gang violence, sectarian vendettas and personal tragedy. The lack of opportunities for him and the rest of his gang is all too apparent. No money. No prospects. A social design that entraps inhabitants of Treacle Towns up and down the country. Connor is desperate to get away, to find another life where he can experience happiness and fulfilment. When he stumbles upon the new world of slam poetry, Con senses a glimmer of hope - a hope that might just lead to his escape from Treacle Town. But it won't be easy.

      Treacle Town
    • „Hunderte von Mädels haben sich die Augen ausgeheult, als es passierte. Typen auch. Ich hab gehört, dass Rosies Mutter woanders hinzieht. Ich denke, das ist das Beste. Vor allem hier. Sie wissen nicht, was Sie glauben sollen, was? [-]Man hört ja bloß eine Story nach der anderen. Und eine ist bekloppter als die andere. Ich will niemandem was anhängen, aber das war doch bloß eine Frage der Zeit.“ Etwas Schreckliches ist geschehen. Die Schüler und Lehrer einer schottischen Highschool müssen sich fragen: Wie konnte so etwas passieren? Gab es Vorzeichen? Hätten sie es verhindern können? Viele äußern sich, doch nicht allen Aussagen ist zu trauen ...

      Der Junge, der es regnen ließ
    • Když pan Pes kousne

      • 300 pages
      • 11 hours of reading
      3.7(46)Add rating

      Když pan Pes kousne - Příběh o životě, smrti, lásce, sexu a nadávání. Seznamte se s Dylanem Mintem. Je celkem fajn, až na toho Touretta. Jeho život, to je neustálá snaha ubránit se tomu, co ho Tourettův syndrom nutí dělat: potlačit nutkání sprostě nadávat, tiky, třas, vrčení, vytí psa, který se chce dostat ven, když je Dylan ve stresu. Není to snadné, zvlášť když je táta ve válce, neustále na mušce ostřelovačů, a máma pořád brečí. A jako by to nestačilo, během jedné pravidelné kontroly u doktora zaslechne Dylan větu, která nebyla určena pro jeho uši. Podle všeho má namále a vydrží nanejvýš do srpna. Teď je duben. Za ty čtyři měsíce by Dylan chtěl ještě pár věcí stihnout a zažít. Pár super věcí. Například sex. Udělá si seznam, a odhodlaně se pustí do plnění posledních přání...

      Když pan Pes kousne