Bumface

Gleitzman, Morris

ISBN 10: 0141800720 ISBN 13: 9780141800721

Publisher: Puffin, 1999

Synopsis

Angus Solomon dreams of being a pirate called Bumface in the school play, but his daydreams are shattered when he is thrown out for missing rehearsals. What his teacher Ms Lowry does not understand, is that Angus has to look after his little brotherLeo and his even littler sister Imogen while his self-absorbed mum works as an actress in a TV soap. His mum's first three husbands are worse than useless, and potential Number Four looks like being a total disaster: what's more, Angus can't bear the thought of more babies to take care of. Everything looks dark. Until he meets Rindi ...

About this title

Review:

Angus worships his two younger siblings and helps his much- married, actress mother to take care of them. But he is tired of his "Mr Dependable" tag and starts to resent his mum's perpetual flirtations with unsuitable men that leave him, quite literally, holding the baby while husbands one, two and three get on with their own lives. And when taking care of the little ones threatens to interfere with rehearsals for the school play, Angus decides that something has to be done, especially when he realises that his errant and incredibly fertile mother could well be en- route to another pregnancy.

Morris Gleitzman is in fine form in this complex, funny and totally endearing tale which successfully turns the coming-of-age clich&eactue; upside down, presenting us with a young boy with the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as he tries to find a way to enjoy his childhood. As ever, Gleitzman shines in one of the best books a child is ever likely to read. --Susan Harrison

Review:

The funniest and most refreshing read of the year (Daily Telegraph)

About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0141800720
• ISBN 13: 9780141800721
• Binding: Audio Cassette
• Number of pages: 2