If you like fast paced adventure stories
full of humour, fart jokes and great characters, then Alex and the Really Big
Stink by Jennifer Killick is just the book for you.
Alex Sparrow is a super-agent in
training. He is also a human lie-detector. Working with Jess – who can
communicate with animals – they must find out why their friends, and enemies,
are all changing into polite and well-behaved pupils. And exactly who is behind
it all. ALEX SPARROW is a funny, mid-grade novel full of farts, jokes and
superhero references. Oh, and a rather clever goldfish called Bob. In a world
where kids’ flaws and peculiarities are being erased out of existence, Alex and
Jess must rely on what makes them different to save the day.
Alex Sparrow is a fabulous character. He is utterly unaware
of himself, believing his own hype.
Having dreamt his whole life of being a proper super agent, he jumps at
the chance to finally get a super power. But with this power, comes a side
effect so unusual, stinky and downright embarrassing. (I don’t know how Jennifer Killick came up
with this one. I really want to ask her.)
You can’t help but sympathise with Alex, as he has to suffer
the indignity of his side effect. But you see him grow as a person, as he
learns what true friendship is and the fickleness of popularity. This story values quirkiness and embraces
children being different. Even though it’s full of humour, there’s a real
warmth and empathy to the writing.
The other characters are incredibly well drawn too. There’s Jess,
his new brave sarcastic friend, a goldfish with OCD, and a villain so
deliciously creepy she makes your skin crawl.
Full of hilarious witty dialogue and characters that we can
all relate to from primary school, this book had me laughing out loud. With its twists and turns and intriguing plot,
I think it's perfect for middle grade readers. I cannot wait to read the next adventure: Alex Sparrow and the Furry Fury.
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