Junk - Melvin Burgess > Reviews

Advantages: Truthful, realistic, dramatic, more interesting than the usual teenage read.
Disadvantages: Could shock at times, some may feel it promotes drugs.

I actually chose to buy 'Junk' because of its topic. In teenage books, it makes a refreshing change to have the subject as more than just some girl liking some boy. Also, the fact it had won the Carnegie Medal gave me confidence in it, as this is such a sought after award. The book looks at many problems of teenage life from disobeying parents, running away, teenage mothers and, of course, drugs. It certainly taught me more about drugs than I was ... Read review

Advantages: Gives you an insight on life, youth and culture, if even if it does it in an extreme way
Disadvantages: maybe it is pro drugs, the ending may dissapoint.

I first heard of this book from a friend who let me borrow it, he didn't recommend it, but it appealed to me as it was something different, set an area of time you hear about a lot in books, but not through city life. I was 13 when i read it, (ok, i'm only 13 now......), but i didnt feel it was hard to follow at all. I read it a few months ago, so forgive me if i am a bit rusty at some parts. Okay, it starts off as your average girl meets boy book, ... Read review

Advantages: I would say the advantages are the whole terms and the story of the book, and how it is based in Bristol!
Disadvantages: Well i couldn't really give any disadvantages but sometimes the way it goes into peoples thoughts tends to get annoying!

...Bristol about junky's and how junk turned their life around, the characters are mixed up and you really get to know each character personally. The book is like a source leading people away from not taking drug's! I would say a person interested in peoples life and thought's to buy this book, cause they would love the chapters on each characters opionion! This book is a winner on Guarduan Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal!! ... Read review

Advantages: Emotive, can't put it down, truthfull
Disadvantages: None

Wow! This book, 'Junk' is an amazing read. It covers the issues of living on the street, poverty, drugs, sex and much more. I know this is corny but - I really couldn't put it down. You see, this book is different from the others. Completely. You get the moving story from all points of view, Gemma, Tar, Mum, Dad and all the other character's in the book. Controversial, yes, boring, no. This book is packed full of emotive issues and I don't know what ... Read review

Advantages: You won't be able to put it down. Shows you a whole new perspective of life
Disadvantages: You may get addicted

This is one of the best written books I have read. Each chapter tells the story from a different character's point of view. This builds up your relationship with the character and really helps you to relate. The story is about a girl - Gemma and boy - Tar. Due to family struggles, the two of them run away from their parents to become heroin addicts and prostetutes. Sounds gruesome I know. My auntie bought this book for me when I was about ... Read review

Advantages: Great style of writing, first person from different perspectives throughout
Disadvantages: You have to read the whole book to understand the real consequences of heroin

When my friend recommended Junk to me I was unsure as drugs aren't something that interest me. And looking at the cover which depics a heroin needle I was even more put off. However upon reading the first chapter I became addicted, I could not put the book down! It's a story of teenage love, passion, adventure and the whole thing is cleverly based around drug use and addiction. The story takes you through from the beginnings of life as a runaway ... Read review

Advantages: The whole book is fantastic.
Disadvantages: None

I had heard about this book, a few years ago, and looked EVERYWHERE to find it, i could not. I then went on a family trip to Ireland and found it in a small, but nice, little book store, i was extatic and begged my mum for the 10 euros it cost. I read it in about 2 days. It was one of the best reads i have EVER had. As a matter of fact, i am reading it at the moment and will probably read it for years to come. In my English A level class, we have ... Read review

Advantages: real insight into the real world
Disadvantages: totally unpudownable, bit graphic

this is the most amazing book i have ever read. i hired it from a library when i was 15, and after i read it 3 times and it was due back, i went and bought it. i have read it about 7 times already, and i never get sick of it. sometimes it is a bit shocking, especially if you are not prepared. my favourite character is Lily, she is a beautiful, troubled young teenager who hides her true feelings with laughter and lies. she is the only one in the story ... Read review

Advantages: Its so belivable, hard to put down.
Disadvantages: Nothing! Truly great read.

Set in the 80's, Junk by Melvin Burgess tells the story of Gemma & Tar, two 14yr olds. Gemma is desperate to escape her dull & dreary life, her father taking over, while Tar wants to escape fom his abusive father & alcholic mother. So Tar moves to Bristol, finds a place to stay, meets some pretty cool people.. Then Gemma decides to follow him. They meet Lily & Rob at a 'house' warming party, and thats when their lives basically start to go downhill. ... Read review

Advantages: realistic characters
Disadvantages: i cant think of any

This is a brilliant story. The authur really brings the characters to life and you can really relate to them. You can learn a lot from this book and can tell that the subject was well researched. Story is told in chapters and each chapter the story goes through and is told by 1 characters point of view. The story teller changes at each chapter. The story is about two 14 year olds running away from their homes. they end up living in squats and being ... Read review

Advantages: Its a good interesting book.
Disadvantages: It may "shock" innocent children or old fogies.

...kept from the younger generations. Junk is a very interesting and enlightening book. It deals well with drug addiction and gives an honest and accurate discription of the affects of it. Its obvioulsy quite controversial which I think is a very good aspect of literature now days. The storie follows a young girl who runs away from home and slowly turns to drug addiction. This storie is true and follows characters that Melvin Burgess knew. This gives ... Read review

Advantages: TRUE, YES VERY TRUE
Disadvantages: WAY TOO GRAPHIC FOR YOUNGER TEENS

...BUT TOPICAL ALL THE SAME. JUNK HAS IT ALL, LITERALLY. IT STARTS OF FAST AND DRAGS YOU AND IT'S CHARACETRS INTO IT'S MURKY POOLS BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU. IT YOU NEED TO WARN YOU TEENS OF THE POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF DRUG CULTURE, GIVE THEM THIS AND LET THEM DISCOVER THE WAY IT REALLY IS. YOU WON'T NEED NO GRAPHIC FILM OR PICTURES, THE STORY BY ITSELF IS ENOUGH. THE RESEARCH THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS WORK IS AMAZING. MELVIN HAS A VERY ... Read review