The Knife That Killed Me
  • Published: 2 June 2008
  • ISBN: 9781862306066
  • Imprint: Definitions
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $19.99

The Knife That Killed Me

Formats & editions
EBook
31 Jan 2012
Paperback
2 Jun 2008
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A stunning and contemporary new teenage novel from award-winning Anthony McGowan, winner of the Booktrust Teenage Prize.

Anthony McGowan is the Carnegie Medal 2020 winning author of Lark.

He is coming to kill me.
Now would be a good time to run.
I cannot run.
I am too afraid to run.

Paul Varderman could be at any normal school - bullies, girls and annoying teachers are just a part of life. Unfortunately 'normal' doesn't apply when it comes to the school's most evil bully, Roth, a twisted and threatening thug with an agenda quite unlike anyone else. When Paul ends up delivering a message from Roth to the leader of a gang at a nearby school, it fuels a rivalry with immediate consequences. Paul attempts to distance himself from the feud, but when Roth hands him a knife it both empowers him and scares him at the same time . . .

This thought-provoking and original novel highlights the terrible consequences of peer pressure and violence, and casts a spotlight on the worrying rise in knife crime among teenagers.

  • Published: 2 June 2008
  • ISBN: 9781862306066
  • Imprint: Definitions
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $19.99
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About the author

Anthony McGowan

Date: 2004-06-24
Anthony McGowan was born in Manchester. Educated at a Catholic comprehensive, he won't say that his characters' schooldays are exactly based on his own, but he certainly writes from experience. Before turning to writing full-time, Anthony gained a PhD in Philosophy, worked as a nightclub bouncer, an Open University tutor, a journalist and a civil servant. He is married with two children.

His first book, Hellbent, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award. He won the Teenage Booktrust Prize for Henry Tumour, which was also shortlisted for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, the Lancashire Children's Book of the Year Award, the Redbridge Teenage Book Award and the Catalyst Award. The Knife that Killed Me was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Anthony is also the writer behind the Donut Diaries books.

Anthony McGowan is a multi-award-winning author of books for adults, teenagers and younger children. He has a life-long obsession with the natural world, and has travelled widely to study and observe it. He has also written feature articles and travel journalism for The Times, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard and Mail on Sunday.

Also by Anthony McGowan

Bear Adventure
Willard Price: Shark Adventure
Willard Price: Python Adventure
The Donut Diaries: Escape from Camp Fatso
The Donut Diaries: Revenge is Sweet
The Donut Diaries
Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved the World
See all

Praise for The Knife That Killed Me

The narrative skilfully captures the casual violence and shifting loyalties of teen life, while constantly throwing off your expectations about what happens next. Anthony McGowan is a major talent

Robert Muchamore

Combining brief flashes of ironic humour with the unstoppable momentum of unfolding tragedy, this sadly timely book offers a cogent reminder of the far-reaching consequences of knife violence

Kate Agnew, Guardian

This fast-paced topical novel stands out . . . McGowan does not let us down lightly and ends the book with a twist that will leave even teenage boys gasping

Daily Telegraph

What makes you sit up is that its author, Anthony McGowan is one of the most talented new writers around

The Times

This is a masterfully written and dark story of contemporary teen life, which deserves to be widely read and discussed

Jean Allen, Carousel

Every writer hates to hear the words "stunning new talent" applied to someone else, but in the case of Anthony McGowan nothing else will do

Meg Rosoff
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