Brought up under a very strict regime, Thomas observes all the things that are going around him – much of it, no one else sees. And he records it all in his secret notebook, writing down his hopes and fears especially his anguish about his violent father. Then Thomas forges a wonderful friendship and begins to see the world in a new way. Touchingly written, this is beautiful book that sensitively explores the complexities of adolescence.
Reading Guide available to download for this title.
Thomas Klopper sees things that no one else can see: fish swimming in the canal, sparrows playing trumpets and frogs wriggling through the letter box. When his father hits his mother, Thomas sees the angels cover their eyes and weep. This book talks about what Thomas sees, including his wish: When I grow up, I am going to be happy.
Guus Kuijer (pronounced "Hoose Ky-yer") is one of the Netherlands' best-known and best-beloved writers, with published work spanning short-story collections, novels for children and adults, stage plays, and television scripts. His Polleke series has been made into a feature film. Guus lives in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
In 2012 he was awarded the Astrid Lindgren memorial Award. His books have been translated into more than ten languages, including English, Swedish, German, Italian and Japanese. The judges praised Kuijer’s ‘unprejudiced gaze and a sharp intellect” and his ability to “combine serious subject matter and razor-sharp realism with warmth, subtle humour, and visionary flights of fancy.”
