Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10367 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-03
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Synopsis
I was sick of Gordon Barraclough. Sick of his bullying. And I was sick of him being a good footballer. 'Listen, Barraclough. My uncle is Bobby Charlton.' 'You're a liar.' I was. 'I'm not. Cross my heart and hope to die.' I spat on my hand. If I'd dropped down dead on the spot I wouldn't have been surprised. 'Funny and moving...a rare gift.' - "Guardian".

Customer Reviews

great stories, simplistic writing
Lovely stories, very easy to read.
The language is very British, colloquial and there's a lot of simple dialogue.
I think it's a great book but found it pretty flat after reading Roald Dahl.

I've found it good to read in EAL classes with both children and adults because all the stories are set in the 50s, but still with universal themes like bullies, show-offs, stealing etc. The stories are short so they can be read and then used as a general theme for discussion about our own past/present experiences.

Brilliant
I can only echo the excellent comments already left about this book. I was introduced to it at age 10 by my school teacher who read 'the balaclava boys' to us. I then spent my pocket money on the book to read the other stories. Some are better then others but all have a powerful hidden message about morals.

I can't wait until my son's are a little older so i can read the stories to them. This is the kind of book that encourages children to take up reading as a hobby/pastime.

Highly recommended

An essential part of any supply teacher's kit !
Brilliantly funny,sad,evocative short stories, and as a supply teacher, this book is an essential part of my kit,as I can guarantee one of these tales at the end of the afternoon will have any group of junior children riveted. Special favourites are "Balaclava Boy" and the title story.