Beast is a young adult novel by

Ally Kennen Ally Kennen (born 1975) is a British author of adventure novels for children and teens. Some of her books have been marketed as thrillers and they may be classed as horror fiction. She was born in Somerset and grew up on a farm in the Exmoor r ...

, published in 2006. It won the 2007

Manchester Book Award The Manchester Book Award is a project run in Manchester, UK, organised by School Services at the Manchester Library & Information Service; it is funded by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. The project is currently in its fourth year. Each year, ...

, and was shortlisted for the 2006

Booktrust Teenage Prize The Booktrust Teenage Prize was an annual award given to young adult literature published in the UK. The prize was administered by Book Trust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading. The Booktrust Teenage Prize was last awarded in ...

, the 2007 Carnegie Medal and the 2007

Branford Boase Award The Branford Boase Award is a British literary award presented annually to an outstanding children's or young-adult novel by a first-time writer; "the most promising book for seven year-olds and upwards by a first time novelist." The award is sha ...

.Branford Boase Award
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Plot

Stephen is a 17-year-old foster child living on the edge of the law. He has moved from family to family, all the time guarding a great secret. He harbors a huge crocodilean beast, ferocious from birth, bequeathed to him by his criminal father when Stephen was a child. ''Beast'' tells the story of his murderous intents toward this monster and his growing relationships, as well as frequently reliving his childhood through flashbacks.

References

2006 British novels British young adult novels Novels by Ally Kennen {{2000s-ya-novel-stub