Older Readers (12-16 years) Shortlist

The Witness
by James Jauncey

NOTE: This book contains strong language.

About the book

I'm the only one who saw what they did. From the shelter of the pine trees, through the falling snow, John watched as the men kicked down doors, shattered windows and fired their first shot. It was a long time before he stopped trembling, before he dared to return and see if anyone needed his help. Among the ruins, he found a small boy, too terrified to tell John his name. Now the only witness and the sole survivor are running for their lives. John knows how to look after himself, how to live off the land and his wits. But now, he's looking after someone else and every choice he makes could mean the difference between life and death. "The Witness" is set in the Scottish Highlands in the near future, when the disastrous nationalization of the land has led to a violent uprising.

What the shortlist judges said:

"One of the best teenage books I've read in along time, made even more realistic by the possibility that it could all perhaps become true."

About the author

James Jauncey has written for adults, young adults and children. The Witness is his fourth novel. A former chairman of the Society of Authors in Scotland and member of the Scottish Arts Council's Literature Committee, today he is on the board of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Read more about James ...

Macmillan Publishers have created a fabulous reading guide for The Witness, to download this excellent resource please click on the attachment at the bottom of this page. You can also find other Reading Guides for Macmillan books at http://www.macmillanreadingguides.com/

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