Author: Liz Pichon
Series: Tom Gates (book 1)
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: 4 April 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1407120690
Synopsis
Tom Gates is the master of excuses for late homework: dog attacks/ spilt water / lightning.. Tom's exercise book is full of his doodles, cartoons and thoughts, as well as comments from his long-suffering teacher, Mr Fullerton. After gaining five merits for his CAMPING SUCKS holiday story, Tom's work starts to go downhill - which is a pity, as he's desperate to impress Amy Porter, who sits next to him...
My Review
This was another book on the list for 'Book Day' at work, and another one that I wasn't looking forward to. Last year I had to read 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and I really didn't like it. I can see the appeal for children - it's quick and easy to read, but to me there was no substance, I was afraid this book would follow the trend.
Wow, was I wrong. Tom Gates is instantly likeable, he has a great sense of humour, his drawings make me smile and the book just grabs your attention.
There is a storyline throughout, it follows Tom through a term at school, he is desperate to impress a girl, he wants to see his favourite band 'Dudes 3' live and he wants to make his band "Dog Zombies" really good. Follow his notes as he humiliates his teachers, winds up his sister, gets in and out of trouble and generally has a bot of mischief.
Although always seeming to be in trouble, Tom does it the nicest way, he always seems so innocent and I really liked him as a character.
His sister Delia is the main focus of his pranks, but I could see so much of me and my brother in their relationship that it just made me laugh.
Altogether a fantastic book. If your children like Wimpy Kid then they will love this. And if they don't love Wimpy Kid, well still give them this I'm sure they'll laugh just like I did. The new generation of Diary/notebook writing has arrived.
My Rating
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