Right from the beginning this book cracked me up! I can imagine reading out loud to my nephews when they're a bit older, and I can't wait to start reading it with some of our students next term.
The style of humour reminded me of Terry Pratchett at times, but on a younger, sillier level. Brilliant characters, a thoroughly good romp of an adventure, and plenty of subtle jokes that will go way over the kids' heads!

I live in a town by the sea, with its beloved but run down attractions, and I now can't go to the arcades without imagining Alex and co. working there!
This book is another hilarious dip into the minds of teenagers from SJG, and he does it so well. It's rude at times, but so are teenagers. It's silly and over the top at times, but so are teenagers! The hint of mystery adds another reason to turn the pages, but the characters are the big draw.

Just starting this and hoping for lots of laugh-out-loud moments, as with 'Noah Can't Even' (which I and the kids adored!). We need a bit of cheeky light relief in these serious times!
Bonus - a chance to show off my amazingly geeky book sleeve ❤🤓

A gripping page-turner, with some truly brutal moments - they made it all the more believable, and I'm glad it wasn't sugar coated for a younger audience. Fantastic main character, and an interesting/unique perspective on WW2.
Plus the UK cover is GORGEOUS 😍 !!

I really enjoyed this, with a super-sarcastic protagonist (who antagonizes everyone else!), a great "how oblivious can you be?" pairing, and wonderful character development over the school years. Read a lot like fan fiction (GOOD fan fiction, it's a compliment!), for a fandom you never knew you were a part of! Fun and frothy, made me chuckle out loud more than once - as if the kids need any more reason to think I'm a bit batty!

A fun (and sometimes deeper than expected) light read. That's not a bad thing - I know a lot of our teenage readers who crave "realistic" fiction with a good dollop of romance would love it!
Reads a bit like well written band fanfiction, and has a similar effect on the reader (again, not necessarily a bad thing!).
Hasn't changed my life, but I did enjoy reading it and am tempted to read the follow up to see the resolution to the HUGE cliffhanger!

Oh my goodness. This book is truly something special. It is - on the surface - so simple, and so quick/easy to read. But WOW does it stick with you. Moved me beyond words. Beautiful.

I started reading an arc of this, and discovered he's at Liverpool Waterstones tonight - managed to reserve a ticket, yay! I absolutely loved The Radleys and A Boy Called Christmas (everyone read it this Christmas if you haven't already!!). Super excited now!

A potential "next read" from my haul of goodies at the conference! Sounds really interesting, and I'm intrigued by how the subject matter and the age suggestion (9+) match up. Fingers crossed (skeletal or fully fleshed out!)!

Finally got around to reading this, and I'm so glad I did. It feels like a very gentle, almost dreamy read, but it still packs a punch. I always appreciate authors who let us figure things out as we go along, and this is a brilliant and slightly terrifying example!