"Witty, wise and occasionally wicked, nobody tells a story like the great Tony McGowan" - Phil Earle "The Beck is constantly entertaining, equally thought-provoking, and proof yet again of Anthony McGowan's wonderful storytelling skills. Full of hope and humour, there's heart and soul on every page" - Keith Gray "Anthony McGowan is a miraculous storyteller. He has the power to move you, make you laugh out loud, cringe in embarrassment and recoil in disgust in a single page. This book is a small piece of magic from the mind of a very great writer" - Katya Balen "Such brilliant, immediate story telling; one of those books that takes you into the landscape and along with the characters. I was right there with Kyle, the reluctant hero, as Karthi and Grandad prodded him from behind . Absolutely brilliant" - Hilary McKay "A funny, poignant, heartfelt and hopeful 11+ story, from a Carnegie-winning author and a dyslexia-friendly press." - The Guardian "This powerful story from Carnegie-winning Anthony McGowan connects you with its characters immediately. The dynamic between Kyle and his sharp-tongued, restless grandad is a driving force and is outrageously funny - the wig's funeral will have you in stitches!" -- BookTrust "From fire to water: returning to the environs of Leeds, Anthony McGowan has in The Beck written a thoughtful study of intergenerational friendship and mankind's relationship with the natural world .

McGowan's simple but gripping plot, allied to an understanding of the trials teenage boys face, makes this a fine read." - Literary Review "A timeless, exquisitely crafted tale of resistance and standing up for what's right, McGowan's environmental tale revolves around a boy and his grandfather's determination to save their beloved beck from developers." -- Waterstones "There is not a word out of place in this perfectly crafted, wise and extremely witty novella about caring for the natural world." -- Highlights of the Season, Children's Buyer's Guide.