BY ANNA GRIFFIN

 

You’d think coming top of your favourite teacher’s gold star award chart would be easy, wouldn’t you? Well it’s proving hard for Tom Gates! Especially when the annoying Marcus Meldrew is cheating! Even worse news, Tom has a very bad toothache. He DOESN'T want to go to his dentist Mr D.Kay, whose surgery has rotten teeth hanging from a mobile on his ceiling!

To make life even harder, it’s Tom’s Dad’s Birthday coming up and Tom has no idea of what to get him. Plus, his Granny Mavis has been cooking again, which is rotten luck as she makes stuff like fish biscuits, literally. Tom is also desperate to get out of visiting his stuck up Auntie Alice and show-it-off Uncle Kevin, but he doesn't mind going to his cousins… Or does he?

I really enjoyed reading this book as there are some really funny parts. It’s also full of pictures and clever calligrams, whilst the font makes you feel as if you are reading Tom’s private diary. This is one of the seven Tom Gates books; you don’t have to read them in order. I’d recommend this book for people over the age of eight, as younger people might not understand some of the humour.

 

This book was published by Scholastic and is available to buy for £6.99. It can also be borrowed from The Hive as well as other Worcestershire libraries. Click here to check availability and check it out.