Books Jack Reads

TV personality David Walliams has become an important name in children's books. All of his novels are filled with both humour and heart, and he even has critics comparing him to the great Roald Dahl. This is the first illustrated novel that David has written, all about an ordinary boy with a special secret.

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12-year old Dennis seems like any other boy. He lives with his father and older brother John, goes to school, and plays football for his school team every Saturday.

 

Dennis doesn't feel normal though, as he wishes that things could go back to the way they used to, back when his mother was still alive. As a result, he spends most of his time reading magazines like Vogue in secret, watching daytime TV shows like Trisha and Loose Women, and remembering how life used to be when his mother was alive. But then he meets bold, confident Lisa, and his outlook on life (as well as his clothing choices) is changed forever...

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If your kids have read any of David's other books (Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, etc), or if they enjoy books like Roald Dahl's, then they'll enjoy this one.

 

Just like with David's other books, there are heaps of funny characters, including Dennis's friend Darvesh's mother, who always manages to embarrass Darvesh when she comes to her son's football games, Mr Hawtrey, the school headmaster who hates children (especially if they accidentally kick footballs through his office window), and of course, Raj, the absent-minded corner store owner who appears in nearly all of David's novels.

 

Also just like David's other novels, this one has a serious message at the heart of it about finding the courage to be yourself, despite what other people might think.

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Overall, this is a funny story with a serious message from a master storyteller, perfect for fans of Roald Dahl.