LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2023: 11 - 14
Susin Neilson has such talent for creating pitch-perfect characters and immersive story-worlds that ring with real-life authenticity. Much like her excellent My Messed Up Life, Tremendous Things packs in plenty of humour and heart as it tells a page-turning story underpinned by big emotional themes, in this case finding confidence through battling the effects of bullying.
At eleven, Wilbur (Wil) resolved to grow taller, cry less, have his writing published, make friends, fall in love, “learn to be my best self”, and learn to be “confident and brave”. Three years later, while he’s yet to become brave, Wil has grown, he’s still writing poetry and he’s made some friends, among them his best friend, 85-year-old Sal. Going to “Aquacise for Seniors is definitely one of the highlights of my week,” he happily admits.
With his two mums, Mum and Mup (collectively known as The Mumps) struggling to make ends meet, it’s a bit of a challenge for pay for his French exchange trip, but boy is it worth working extra hours at Foot Long Subs to help fund it. Wil’s exchange partner, Charlie, turns out to be a confident, clever girl who appreciates Wil for who he is, and so his gay friends pledge to give him a confidence-boosting makeover before he goes to Paris. But then, as Wil feels a flicker of self-love, the merde hits the fan (to paraphrase a chapter title) and he’s showered with a succession of unsettling events.
Reader, I balled, I beamed, and was bowled over by every step of Wilbur’s life-affirming journey, with the wonders of Charlotte’s Web woven through it.
Joanne Owen
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About
Tremendous Things Synopsis
Wilbur is sure he's a loser: he spends his life being bullied, his best friend is 85 years old, and his only talent is playing the triangle in the school band. But things start to look up when he gets the chance to be part of the French exchange. Wilbur's billet Charlie arrives to spend the week with him and his two moms and it turns out that Charlie is a girl. An amazing, sophisticated, French girl who Wilbur instantly falls in love with. Keen to win her heart, Wilbur agrees to a total life makeover before he sees Charlie again on the return trip to Paris. But the course of true amour never did run smooth.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781839130588 |
| Publication date: |
4th August 2022 |
| Author: |
Susin Nielsen |
| Publisher: |
Andersen Press Ltd |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
288 pages |
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Press Reviews
Susin Nielsen Press Reviews
'Susin Nielsen has such a talent for creating pitch-perfect characters and immersive story-worlds that ring with authenticity... Reader, I bawled, I beamed, and was bowled over by every step of Wilbur's life-affirming journey, with the wonders of Charlotte's Web woven through it' - Joanne Owen - LoveReading4Kids
'A candid and funny story of first love and body confidence' - The Times
'A warm, wonderful tale of unrequited love, rotten bullies and appreciating the fleeting marvels in life' - Claire Hennessy - The Irish Times
'A heart-warming coming-of-age story... Nielsen crafts a cast of diverse characters, and once again showcases her talent for creating strong relationships that will stay with readers beyond the pages of the book. She expertly portrays the intense and turbulent emotions of early adolescence, making the characters relatable, accessible, and endearing. The final product is a book that speaks to readers, both young and old, about the defining moments in this period of life... A thoroughly enjoyable and addictive read!' - Children's Books Ireland
'A wise and funny contemporary about bravery, friendship and finding the confidence to be true to yourself' - The Bookseller
Author
About Susin Nielsen
Susin Nielsen got her start feeding cast and crew on the popular television series, Degrassi Junior High. They hated her food, but they saw a spark in her writing. Nielsen went on to pen sixteen episodes of the hit TV show. Since then, Nielsen has written for many Canadian TV series. Nielsen's first two young adult novels, Word Nerd and Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom, received critical acclaim and multiple Young Readers' Choice Awards. The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen won the prestigious Governor General's Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association's Children's Book of the Year and many Young Readers' Choice Awards. She lives in Vancouver with her family and two extremely destructive cats.
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