Trash by Andy Mulligan
Most of us agreed that ‘Trash’ is an excellent book. Based loosely on a place that the author visited whilst working in Manila, it concerns children who live and work on a massive rubbish heap. Whilst we all knew that this happens, we still found the depiction of the appallingly difficult living conditions shocking and challenging. This book is no mere vehicle for getting the word out about a major humanitarian issue, however. Although it does that very effectively, it is also an intensely gripping read. Only one of our group didn’t agree. It’s an adventure story with a difference and a real page turner. The narrative is carried by the three main characters but there are contributions from others too. We enjoyed the somewhat different structure and it was intriguing to watch it all fit together. Although the three main characters are all boys who live on the trash heap, Mulligan distinguishes their voices very effectively, and we warmed to them all in different ways. I should warn you that there are one or two very scary and distressing moments but then the whole story is set in a very disturbing setting.
Do read it. It may not look like obvious holiday reading and you may be shocked but you will also be vastly entertained and moved. It is published by Random House under the David Fickling Books imprint. David Fickling is one of the great and good of children’s publishing. He is still managing to find and promote one-off novels which are that bit different. He takes creative risks in a market which is playing very safe and dull at present. His work is worth supporting if we want children’s fiction to remain a rich treasure house.
On that note, I must sign off. Sadly, the children’s book group has come to an end. The children have grown into teenagers who are going to be busy with exams and feel they cannot necessarily commit to a book group (an interesting reflection on our education system perhaps!). I’m hoping to start another children’s book group in a school so I may still be submitting the occasional review and of course, I hope still to be writing and publishing my own work.
We want to thank all at Warwick Books for allowing us to meet at the shop over the years and for all their other support. We’ve had a great time!
Meg Harper
