River Boy

Deep and powerful: a moving, magical voyage through life, death and memory. ‘You are not the same person at the end of this book’ is what the Carnegie judges said. Grandpa is dying. He can barely move his hands any more but, stubborn as ever, refuses to stay in hospital. He’s determined to finish his last painting, ‘River Boy’, before he dies. At first Jess can’t understand his refusal to let go, but then she too becomes involved in the mysterious painting. And when she meets the River Boy himself, she is caught up in a challenge of her own: a task that she must complete – before it’s too late.

Winner of the Carnegie Medal.

“River Boy has all the hallmarks of a classic … You are not the same person at the end of this book.” Carnegie Medal Judges

“The book is indeed a stunner – powerful, magical, unforgettable, a young classic of a book enjoying the first couple of years of what could and should be immortality.” Evening Echo

“A fine winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal – haunting, poetic and written with great feeling.” The Mail on Sunday

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Recent reviews

  • loved it

    Tim Bowler is not a very well known author, but i definitely recommend you to check out some of his other books. River boy was truly spectacular

    5 March 2014

  • loved it

    A beautiful book that everyone should read, so down to earth and dreamy… One of my favourite books ever!

    27 February 2011

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Authors

  • Photo of Tim Bowler

    Tim Bowler

    Tim Bowler is the author of many children’s books, including River Boy, which won the Carnegie Medal.

    Awards

    Tim won the Carnegie Medal for River Boy in 1997, and has also won the Angus Book Award for Shadows, the South Lanarkshire Award for Storm Catchers and several awards for Frozen Fire, including the Highland Children’s Book Award.

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