12 year old Lenny is finding things tough at the moment. Dad’s away even more than ever in his truck driving job all over Europe, Mum is playing even more sad country music than usual, and watching more bland TV.

School is a bit rough too. He tries to ignore the taunts, the jibes, the endless jokes at his expense, even from the teachers, but they cut deep. Ever since his big brother and protector Frankie went away, the bullying never stops. This bullying is why Frankie left, and Lenny blames himself.

Mum’s moping around the house and her endless country music is also Lenny’s fault. He knows Mum misses Frankie like mad. If only he could apologise to Frankie, then maybe things could be a little better? Frankie must blame him too.

Avoiding school when he can, Lenny sits on a park bench down by a canal. After downing another can of drink Irn-Bru (a Scottish favourite soft drink), he throws the can in the canal. This is the moment he meets Bruce, a homeless man living in a house make of cardboard.

Over time and while negotiating school, home, and his heavy load of guilt about Frankie, Lenny gets to know Bruce. He finds he is a good listener, patient, calm and understanding. The two become firm friends and devise a plan for Lenny to do what he’s been aching to do since Frankie left. Say sorry.

I was excited to read a new novel by Brian Conaghan and Cardboard Cowboys is as awesome as I anticipated. This author always delivers characters so real, they become part of your family while you are reading, then stick around in your head and heart well after the last page.

Lenny is struggling with his weight, and blames everything tough in his life on it. A new, non judgmental friendship helps the inner, and talented Lenny out – timid at first after so much bullying, then braver, then well on the way to being the person he is meant to be.

Guilt is a powerful emotion, and Bruce helps Lenny deal with it, not only by helping him with his quest to see Frankie, but to understand he isn’t to blame for other’s behaviour.

The truth about Frankie, and Bruce’s own story is slowly revealed throughout the novel, taking you on a ride of a young boy’s discovery of true friendship, self esteem, and hope for the future.

Wonderful!

Author – Brian Conaghan

Age – 10+

(2021, Bloomsbury, Family, Guilt, Self-Esteem, Weight, Obesity, Obese, Bullies, Bullying, School, Loss, Blame, Shame, Memory, Homeless, Music, Guitar, Singing, Busking, Prison, Friendship, Coping mechanisms, Road trip, Bus travel, Scotland)