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A Swift Pure Cry

Reviewed by Jess Chalmers


My first impression of A Swift Pure Cry was: “Oh my God – I’m NOT reading this book if it carries on like this - it’s way too religious!”

But as it went on I became more and more hooked on it – I spent an hour before bed reading it when I had school the next day. Personally I think it doesn’t deserve the Carnegie Medal, but others might. To anyone who has had a hard life, perhaps not being very rich, or having a tough time at school or home, this story would appeal lots and they would completely disagree with me …

This book is very well written with lots of description and story lines. It can get a bit confusing at time, and occasionally you forget it is set in the 21st century as some of the ideas are a bit old fashioned. I would recommend it to anyone aged 13+ or any mature 11 or 12 year olds. Some of the bits paint gruesome pictures in your head and it deals with things like drink, sex, money among others.

To be honest anyone aged 11 or younger wouldn’t enjoy it at all.