Glasgow Boys, by Margaret McDonald. 2024 Uncorrected Proof of the winner of The Carnegie Medal for Writing

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald is a contemporary coming-of-age novel set in modern Scotland, following the intertwined lives of Banjo and Finlay, two boys who reconnect after time spent in the care system. Told through alternating perspectives, the story explores themes of identity, friendship, trauma, and the search for stability in an often unforgiving world. With sharp, honest dialogue and emotional depth, the novel offers a powerful look at the realities facing young people navigating difficult circumstances. In 2025, Glasgow Boys was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Writing, with McDonald becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the prize—a recognition of the novel’s impact, authenticity, and literary strength.