Book Review: Born Scared  by Kevin Brooks  

Published by Egmont

Elliot is terrified of almost everything.From the moment he was born, his life has been governed by acute fear. The only thing that keeps his terrors in check are the pills that he takes every day.

It’s Christmas Eve, there’s a snowstorm and Elliot’s medication is almost gone. His mum nips out to collect his prescription. She’ll only be 10 minutes – but when she doesn’t come back, Elliot must face his fears and try to find her. She should only be 400 metres away. It might as well be 400 miles…

A gripping read, perfect to engage teen readers, whilst offering a frank and intelligent portrait of mental illness, even if the dramatic ending verges on the implausible.