ReadPlus is a collection of selected books and films arranged under themes. This web site provides lists, reviews and resources for librarians, teachers and parents about books for young people aged 5 to 18.
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Latest Review

Sep 02 2010

I am not Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos

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Corgi Yearling 2010.
(Ages 10+) Recommended. This is the fourth book about Joey Pigza, but it can be read independently. Joey's ADHD was the focus of previous stories, but in this episode, the ADHD takes a back seat as Joey's unreliable father turns up, apparently cured of his fecklessness following a moderate win on the lottery. He persuades Joey's mum to remarry him and the three try to make a new life as owners of The Busy Bee Diner.
However, Joey's Dad has a crazy desire to slough off his old identity and reinvent himself. He forces Joey to throw out every aspect of his life, including all his belongings and even his name.  Joey Pigza is now Freddy Heinz and naturally enough he experiences an identity crisis which Gantos deals with in heartbreakingly comic style.
I believe that the best books make you laugh while you're crying and this happens a lot when reading about Joey Pigza. Dad is a pathetic buffoon who freely admits 'I just want fun, fast food, lots of money and no hard work.' Mum lives to shop and runs up huge credit card bills that no one can afford to pay. They take Joey out of school so that he can help them run the diner. It's a miracle that Joey remains the sanest member of this dysfunctional family.
Jack Gantos writes in a similar way to Louis Sachar and Morris Gleitzman. Here is a story simply told, understated, lively, funny and tragic. Gantos hits you with the force of a sledgehammer and has a feather light sureness that demands a response. I found this book quite disturbing, particularly the complete inadequacy of the parents, but perhaps that's because I'm reading it from an adult perspective. Nevertheless I think this is one to share with children. Read it to them or read it yourself first and then give it to them, it's bound to generate a lot of discussion.
Claire Larson

More Reviews

Sep 02 2010

Halo by Zizou Corder

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Puffin, 2010.
(Age: 10+). Recommended. (Age 10-14) Highly recommended. Kyllarus, a centaur, finds a tiny baby with a turtle shell strapped to her back crawling along a beach. The baby has a tattoo on her forehead and is wearing an owl amulet. He takes her home to his family, who name...
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Sep 02 2010

Boy Zero: Wannabe Hero: The Petrifying Plot of the Plummeting Pants by Peter Millett

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Illustrated by Steve May. Faber, 2010. ISBN: 9780571252473.
Recommended for Lower to Middle Primary. 'With all the galaxy's superheroes taken hostage, it's up to Charlie to stop the world's pants from plummeting. Will he be a HERO - or will he be a ZERO?'
Meet Charlie Applejack, the...
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Sep 01 2010

Anneli the art hater by Anne Fine

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(Age 8-10) Recommended. A reissue of book first published in 1986, Anneli the art hater still has timeless appeal. Fine is an award winning author who has written a fascinating mystery.
Anneli hates art. She doesn't understand why others in her class are happy to draw and paint,...
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Aug 31 2010

Nobody's horse by Jane Smiley

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Faber and Faber, 2010. ISBN 978-0571253548.
Recommended for horse lovers of all ages. I was immediately attracted to the cover showing a gorgeous brown horse and found myself quickly engrossed in the story of Abby and Grumpy George, a horse that bucks her off and won't look her in the...
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Aug 30 2010

Farther by Grahame Baker-Smith

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Templar, 2010. ISBN 9781848771260.
(Age 5+) Highly recommended. Grahame Baker-Smith, an illustrator who was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway award in 2010, has written and illustrated a wonderful and memorable book that could become a future classic. A father, who lives high on a...
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Aug 30 2010

Bitter Chocolate by Sally Grindley

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Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978 0747595021.
Beatings with a bicycle chain are a feared part of life for all the boys who are working prisoners on a coco bean plantation. They hate the overseer they nickname Le Couchon, who picks on them and wears them down.
Pascal, an eleven-year-old...
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Aug 27 2010

Pants and More Pants by Giles Andreae and Nick Sharratt

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David Fickling Books, 2010.
(Ages 2-99) Highly Recommended. Originally published as two separate books, Pants and More Pants is a celebration of underwear in all its glory - whether gracing royalty or gorillas. It has delighted members of my family ranging in age from three to forty...
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Aug 26 2010

Snuff by Quentin Blake

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Red Fox 2010 (Re-issue, originally published 1973). ISBN 9781849410489.
(Ages 3+) Sir Thomas Magpie is a gallant knight, who spends his days dancing, sword fighting - and trying to prevent his boots from being eaten by mice. Snuff is his loyal page, whose job it is to mend Sir Thomas's...
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