The Truth of Things (3) Rook
By (Author) Anthony McGowan
Cover design or artwork by David Wardle
Book 3
HarperCollins Publishers
Barrington Stoke Ltd
26th August 2025
13th March 2025
New Second edition
United Kingdom
Young Adult
Fiction
823.92
Paperback
128
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 8mm
220g
In the shadow of a bully, a rescued rook becomes a symbol of hope in this poignant, Carnegie Medal shortlisted novella about growing up and family.
When Kenny and Nicky rescue a rook left for dead, Kenny is determined to keep it alive. Nicky doubts the scruffy bird will make it, but then Nicky has plenty else to worry about.
This time, its not his dad or Kenny who need help his dads sorting his life out and Kennys busy making plans with his new best mate. Now its Nickys turn to struggle with a school bully, his first love and the fact that everything is about to go very, very wrong.
Shortlisted for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal.
Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 9.
"Gritty, unflinching and authentic with a life-affirming warmth" Carnegie Judging Panel
"Lucid and sharp as broken glass, its a book filled with raw, elemental emotion" The Guardian
"Rook is an outstanding piece of writing unflinching and authentic, funny and gritty and a treasured addition to my bookshelves" Waterstones Bookseller
"[McGowans] ability to accurately represent the inner lives of young people is unparalleled" The Bookbag
"[McGowans] writing manages to convey elements of anxiety, despair, fear and hopelessness but all is underscored with a dash of exuberant humour" Letterpress Project
Anthony McGowan is one of the most widely acclaimed YA and children's authors in the UK, with novels including The Knife that Killed Me and The Dogs of the Deadlands, an FT and Guardian Book of the Year. His Barrington Stoke titles include the Carnegie Medal shortlisted Rook and the 2020 Carnegie Medal winner Lark, which the judges described as "a standalone masterpiece.