TOBBHERHANK

I’ll be posting a book review now and then. Let me know of any fab ones you know about that I simply have to read. 

John “Spud” Milton is only 13 years old but he’s one of the funniest, most charming characters I’ve read about in a long time. He and his buddies – Mad Dog, Gecko, crazy Vern and Roger the cat, Rambo, Boggo, Simon and Fatty – make up the Crazy Eight. And as their name suggests, they get up to all sorts of wild and wacky behaviour – mostly with hilarious consequences.
The eight struggle with being first years (and all that it entails), hormones, growing up, ghosts and girls. Oh, and surviving their midnight swims…
I usually don’t read ‘funny’ books but this was one of the best ones I’ve ever finished. I suspect it has something to do with the frankness and honesty it conveys; the hilarity seems to be a side-effect rather than the goal. Even serious topics and painful moments are dealt with in a frank, honest and, ultimately, side-splittingly funny, way. More Hugh Grant than Martin Lawrence kind of humour though – if you want toilet humour you won’t find it here.
The other characters who form part of the book add more layers to a well-written tale. If you really want to laugh out aloud, you must get into this book and experience some of the Milton madness.
The next book, Spud – the madness continues, is out soon so watch for the that review in a bit.
Toby’s score: 8 out of 10