My book review of 'The Astounding Broccoli Boy' by Frank Cottrell Boyce

by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Recommended age: 9+
The Astounding Broccoli Boy
by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Rory's favourite book is 'Don't be scared, be prepared' as he tries to cope with being bullied at school. But there is nothing in the book about what to do if you happen to turn green!

There are three children who have the condition and they have been placed in an isolation unit at a London hospital as the doctors puzzle over the cause. In the meantime the children find a way to escape from the ward each night, and explore the city believing their greenness has brought them superpowers.

I've enjoyed all the books by Frank Cottrell Boyce, and this is no different - it's funny and it's a good old fashioned adventure. What's more, in the afterword, the author says that he was inspired to write the book by a story of green children who reputedly arrived in the village of Woolpit during the reign of King Stephen! I've never heard of this despite it being local and also being the subject of a novel and a children's book.

Date of this review: May 2015