Stewart Foster

Great children's book, with well drawn characters about bereavement, family relationships, especially inter-generational ones, and ADHD. It centres around the relationship between 11 year old Felix and his Grandfather, whom at the start he doesn't really know very well. Felix has recently lost his Grandmother, someone he was very close to. As he spends more time with his Grandfather, they both come to a better understanding of each-other, especially when the latter undertakes to teach Felix chess, a way to try and help him learn to overcome some of the difficulties he faces through having ADHD.… (mehr)

Publisher's blurb:
"There are two sides to every story
Dan is angry. Nothing has been the same since his big brother left, and he’s taking it out on the nearest and weakest target: Alex.
Alex is struggling. His severe OCD makes it hard for him to leave the house, especially when Dan and his gang are waiting for him at school . . .
Then the boys’ mums arrange for them to meet up and finish building the raft that Dan started with his brother. Two enemies stuck together for the whole of the school holidays – what could possibly go wrong? " (Booktopia)

My comments:
The author of Bubble Boy does it again; telling half the book through the eyes of the bully so we see his struggles and understand what is going on in his life to make him like he is. Foster handles the two stories very carefully and so we start to feel sympathy for the bully and want the the bullied boy to stand up for himself. Great setting, believable scenarios and settings and a very satisfying read. Highly recommended for boys in Years 7 -10.… (mehr)