29 Locks

Product Information

take your pick, Donny is fated for nothing good and he knows it even if he doesn't necessarily want it. Growing up in Hackney with his loving but troubled single mum, fifteen-year-old Donny's life has been shaped by poverty, crime and casual violence, including grooming by a local gang. Urgent, authentic, satisfying and an anthem for the ordinary spirit that burns so fiercely inside each of us. Payments made using National Book Tokens are processed by National Book Tokens Ltd, and you can read their Terms and Conditions here.

A fast-paced, tender and unflinching depiction of teenage friendship and resilience against the odds. Chronicles his journey of born in poverty, being groomed by gangs, having a drug addicted mother, and his time in foster care. I am extremely grateful to the author and the publisher for providing me with a proof copy of 29 Locks in exchange for an honest review. I loved how much the author covered in this story, from poverty and crime to grooming, diversity, and racism — all of which are prevalent in today’s society. Read my Guardian newspaper article about my work with Minority Matters and teaching in London h ere.I give regular talks for schools, libraries and colleges (including World Book Day), as well as prisons. As someone who is interested in urban change and once really enjoyed a canal boating holiday this book instantly intrigued me. But with his new family and life looking brighter it isn’t long before he’s exposed to grooming, drugs and gang life. But it is Donny's work experience with canals and helping out Andrew the gatekeeper of the lock gates who truly changes the lost boy into being the strong and determined young man he becomes. When Donny's posh new friend Zoe is offered a dubious modelling audition in London, the pair decide to 'borrow' a canal barge and navigate the 29 locks down to Kings Cross.

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. 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.Garrard deals with hugely important issues, without ever preaching or compromising the pace and excitement of the narrative. When they start out on their journey, the future for both of them looks unpromising, like the fake audition, but as each lock is navigated and conquered, as the waters fall then rise again, their adventure takes on a new dimension.

It tells the story of Donny, who has grown up in a violent, cruel and brutal world of drugs and crime. Locks by Nicola Garrard is a Young Adult book which I was drawn to immediately with the bright cover and the synopsis. I just loved the idea of walking down the towpath and seeing Donny, Zoe and Ziggy the dog cruise by on Zuma Jay! 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!When Donny’s bored, rich, white girlfriend Zoe is offered a dubious modelling audition, the couple ‘borrow’ a barge and navigate the 29 locks on the canal system from Hertfordshire down into Kings Cross.

The main character starts his journey in London and is involved in a gang so you really get to care about him and what he's going through in his life. 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. Beautifully written with compassion and urgency, this is a thrilling read for both children and adults. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. There are enough references to 29 Locks to make it an utterly convincing sequel, but it works absolutely as a standalone story.After some trouble and an unexpected death, Donny finds himself back in the system and on his way to County.