reviews
We should be tolerant of those differences as we can never be sure what brought those differences about. A strong theme hidden within an excellent school romp.
CD
The Disappearing Children: Prime Minister Father and Son 1
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Lars Joachim Grimstad, trans. Don Bartlett and Siân Mackie, Phoenix Yard Books, 978-1-90791-238-2, 304pp, £12.99 hbk
Can humour travel? There is a perception that what we may find funny is incomprehensible abroad, and vice versa. However, it seems this does not have to be the case as this Norwegian novel proves.
From the moment we meet Finn Popps, we are giggling. Finn is the son of Teddy Popps, a taxi driver – but a taxi driver who has become Prime Minister of Norway as leader of the More Party. However, his popularity is threatened; children are disappearing. What is going on? And who can be trusted? It is up to Finn and his friends to sort it out.
As is to be expected, it is the children who take centre stage to show up the
inherent ridiculousness of adults. However, Grimstad doesn’t rely on slapstick alone, there is plenty of action as Finn, Sunniva and Camomile work to foil the villains while hoping to win the National School Quiz. Fast paced, lively, funny, this is a very welcome – and excellent – translation for young readers who want a bit more than sound bites with their laughs. Recommended.
FH
My Brother Is a Superhero HHHH
David Solomons, Nosy Crow, 320pp, 978-0-85763-479-5, £6.99, pbk
‘My brother is a superhero, and I could have been one too, except that I needed to go for a wee.’ It’s a wonderful opening line and sets the tone for this hilarious, engaging story. While Luke’s in the loo, Zorbon the Decider arrives. In need of a superhero, and finding Luke’s older brother Zack, Zorbon bestows a few superpowers on him, tells him his mission is to save two universes, and warns him that ‘Nemesis is coming’. It’s really unfair: Luke is the comic fanatic and he should rightfully be the superhero, not someone who barely knows what telekinesis is.
Zack calls himself Star Lad, due to the stars he finds glowing on his chest. (He’d rather have been Starman, or Star Boy, but as Luke tells him, those names are already taken.) Zak just won’t behave as superheroes should – he has a hoodie not a mask, refuses to wear the curtain-cape Luke spent ages making, and doesn’t even try to fly. In fact, Zack would rather be doing his homework. But he knows his duties and he’s soon stopping bus crashes and bridges from collapsing and rescuing babies from burning buildings, in true superhero fashion. Meanwhile Luke’s left trying to protect Star Lad’s identity, and growing more and more jealous of him. He reckons he’d be very happy if his brother came to a sticky end – but then Zack’s taken hostage. Luke needs all his superhero knowledge to rescue him, not just because he’s his brother, but because Star Lad still has his mission to fulfil. After all, the future of two universes is at stake.
Narrated in the first person by Luke, it’s full of brilliant one-liners and funny dialogue. There’s also a wonderful array of characters: Cara, Zack’s love interest; her sister Lara with her entertaining malapropisms (going on a ‘wild moose chase’, finding ‘a noodle in a haystack’); Christopher Talbot who owns the comic shop and loves
inventions; best friend Serge who’s French and a total Star Lad obsessive; and Mum and Dad who remain oblivious to Zak’s new role.
At over 300 pages, I found it a tad drawn-out at times, but it’s a very enjoyable read and I’m sure the target market will be left begging for more. RW
The Accidental Prime Minister
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Tom McLaughlin, ill. Tom McLaughlin, Oxford University Press, 226pp, 978-0-19273-774-8, £6.99 pbk
Joe is so upset that his favourite park is being shut down that he finds himself doing something rather strange: he stands up to the grown-ups. Not just any grown-ups, but his headteacher and even the Prime Minister himself! Before he knows it, his rant has gone viral and he finds himself surfing a wave of popular support all the way to 10 Downing Street.
Guided skilfully by his media agent, lifestyle guru and best mate, Ajay, Joe endeavours to lead his nation to a happier and much more fun future. A
#ShakespearesStory @ShakespeareBT @FL_Childrens
www.franceslincoln.com
Publishing 4th June 2015 Hardback £12.99
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