Ben’s Gargoyle

Keith Gray’s debut novel Creepers was published when he was only 24 and was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. His subsequent books include Ostrich Boys, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal as well as the Costa Children’s Book Award and has been adapted for the stage, The Last Soldier, which was shortlisted for the Scottish Teen Book Awards, and The Runner, which won the Smarties Silver Medal. Keith lives with his family in Vienna, Austria, where he co-founded the writer development community Kulturverein: Sunday Writers’ Club.

"Ben's Gargoyle packs one heck of a punch. Keith Gray's story – complemented wonderfully by Keith Robinson's illustrations – explores themes of family, friendship and courage, and builds swiftly to a finale that's as astonishing as it is moving." — Darren Simpson"Ben’s Gargoyle is a powerful story about facing huge difficulties and finding the strength to cope … Gray and Robinson are the dream team; with their unflinching yet sensitive portrayal of Ben’s life. Tense, original and ultimately hopeful, Ben’s Gargoyle is a complex idea told with skill; a deceptively simple reflection of toxic masculinity and finding the inner strength to fight it." — Lesley Parr"Keith Gray pulls no punches in this gloriously dark tale of upheaval, fear and danger. Ben's struggles are carved from granite in tense and weighty lines, tapping into the bedrock of what masculinity means. A fine gothic fable about how to face the monsters that lurk both inside and out." — Luke Palmer"This is a great gothic tale of psychological horror. Ben's struggles with his father are sad and told very effectively – within a few pages we see how his life has changed, and the danger all around him. The gargoyle is a constant presence and the mystery of what it is – and perhaps what it represents – is revealed in a shocking scene. And you'll be punching the air as Ben manages to find his inner strength … A wonderfully gothic tale with a great theme – I loved it!" — Alastair Chisholm