428 / 10 - 'Ενα υπέροχο παιδικό βιβλίο . ΄Εξι ταλαιπωρημένα εντεκάχρονα παιδιά , σωματικά και ψυχολογικά , καταλήγουν στην παιδιατρική πτέρυγα ενός νοσοκομείου. Ο θυρωρός του νοσοκομείου τους βοηθάει να πραγματοποιήσουν τα όνειρα τους με το δικό του τρόπο . ( )

The Midnight Gang is a fun romp about child patients stuck in a decrepit London hospital called the Lord Funt Hospital. Protagonist Tom, from a horrible school for wealthy boys is taken there after getting hit in the head with a ball during a cricket match. His ward mates Amber (broken arms and legs), George (eating disorder), Robin (temporarily? blind from eye operation), Sally (serious cancer illness), all subject to a despicable matron. As Big Ben tolls 12, all but Sally head off on various adventures, assisted by the Porter, who has lived at Lord Funt since being abandoned as a misshapen infant by his Mum. The adventures are realizations of the children's dreams. It's a wonderful story about camaraderie, love and friendship, with illustrations galore: kind of like a Roald Dahl book. Highly recommended.

P.S. Thanks to GR friend, Almira!! ( )

This book was a slow burner for my youngest son and I. We enjoyed it very much in the end, but it took a while to get going as David Walliams sets the scene and introduced to the children and their stories.

I loved the way that the children were very real and their illnesses and it wasn't necessarily all 'happy ever after' - but of course it was wonderful to see the nasty Matron get her comeuppance.

An enjoyable book which introduces the idea that not everyone has a great childhood and that just because someone looks different doesn't mean they are something to be feared. Lots to teach children through this one. ( )

Tras un golpe de pelota endemoniado que lo deja inconsciente, Tom se despierta tumbado en una camilla, en el Hospital Lord Funt, donde un terrorífico portero y una enfermera espeluznante lo trasladan al ala infantil. Parece una pesadilla, pero lo que Tom no sabe es que ¡muy pronto vivirá la aventura más emocionante de su vida!

Cute and funny and wonderfully illustrated. Love it.

Can't wait to read more of his books. I love me some David Walliams. ( )