Beast is a young adult novel by Ally Kennen

Ally Kennen

Ally Kennen is an award-winning British young adult and children's author.- Life :Ally Kennen grew up on a farm in Exmoor, England. Ally studied Archaeology and history at Birmingham University...

, published in 2006. It won the 2007 Manchester Book Award

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....

, and was shortlisted for the 2006 Booktrust Teenage Prize

Booktrust Teenage Prize

The Booktrust Teenage Prize is an annual award given to young adult literature published in the UK. The prize is administered by Booktrust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading.-List of Prize Winners:...

, the 2007 Carnegie Medal

Carnegie Medal

The Carnegie Medal is a literary award established in 1936 in honour of Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and given annually to an outstanding book for children and young adults. It is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...

 and the 2007 Branford Boase Award

Branford Boase Award

The Branford Boase Award is a British literary award presented annually to an outstanding novel for young people by a first-time writer.Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books and Henrietta Branford worked together previously to produce a great number of books. Both Wendy Boase and...

. Like Berserk

Berserk (novel)

Berserk is a young adult novel by Ally Kennen, published in 2007. It has been shortlisted for the 2008 Manchester Book Award and longlisted for the 2008 Carnegie Medal. Like Beast and Bedlam, there will be a new edition of the book in May which features a new cover.- Plot :Wouldn't it be cool to...

 and Bedlam

Bedlam (novel)

Bedlam is a young adult novel by Ally Kennen, published on January 5, 2009. It is nominated for the 2010 Carnegie Medal. Like Beast and Berserk, there will be a new edition of the book in May which features a new cover.- Plot :...

, there will be a new edition of the book in May which features a new cover.

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 crocodilan 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.