bardicbramley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, and Death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
sarahstyles28's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amy2710's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alexhempstxck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nickimags's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a such a lovely audiobook and laugh out loud funny!
I spotted this on Scribd recently and was hooked from the beginning. I loved getting to know soon to be 12 years old Billy, his Mum and Dad and his annoying pony obsessed little sister, Chloe. Oh yes, and Granny Bread, who Billy is especially close to.
As the above synopsis mentions Billy dreams of being a stand up comedian, but unfortunately his has a terrible stammer. He desperately wants to get rid of it and makes lists of ways to make it go away.
Billy was such a lovely boy and so funny! My heart broke for him when his plans didn’t go the way he wanted, I wanted to give him a big hug and tell him everything would be okay.
There were some lovely supporting characters, and one particularly horrible one who I wanted to get by the scruff of the neck and give a good talking to, that’s how good the writing was! Fortunately it’s not all sad, as each chapter starts with a joke, which always made me laugh out loud, but then I do like children’s jokes!
I tend to stay away from audiobooks read by authors as the samples I’ve heard haven’t been very good, but Helen Rutter reads her own book superbly! She knew how to make me laugh out loud, worry for Billy and make me want him to succeed no matter what.
The idea for this story was inspired by Helen Rutter’s son, who has a stammer; she wanted to write a book that he would love to read, starring a child like him.
I highly recommend this on audio if you enjoy books about children overcoming adversity.
cdb2453's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The main character in this story has a stammer, amd he struggles to accept himself and fit in with his peers at school. My boyfriend had a stutter growing up and dealt with similar issues, so I connected to the events in this book from stories I have heard about situations with people not understanding you or becoming impatient. This is a great book for upper elementary and middle schoolers to build empathy for peers who may have a stutter or something that makes them different or unique in some way.
jweibler07's review against another edition
5.0
A book you just want to hug. The story of Billy Plimpton and his middle school experience may be unique due to his stuttering, but it is a story many will be able to connect with.
elliot_cheung's review against another edition
5.0
Emotional and always optimistic. Finished in 1 hour fast and easy read
100% recommend
100% recommend
poppyflaxman's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy for review.
This is a great debut from Helen Rutter. I was lucky enough to be able to go to a virtual author event with her and the publishers in which she spoke about the process of writing. Rutter worked closely with her son who, like Billy, has a stammer and I think that really shows in the final product. Previously, whenever I've read a book with a character who has a stammar it has been used as a plot point to overcome. In this novel we follow Billy who learns to accept that it is just one aspect of his full self.
The jokes at the beginning of each chapter were a great touch and I am sure this will be a book kids love.
This is a great debut from Helen Rutter. I was lucky enough to be able to go to a virtual author event with her and the publishers in which she spoke about the process of writing. Rutter worked closely with her son who, like Billy, has a stammer and I think that really shows in the final product. Previously, whenever I've read a book with a character who has a stammar it has been used as a plot point to overcome. In this novel we follow Billy who learns to accept that it is just one aspect of his full self.
The jokes at the beginning of each chapter were a great touch and I am sure this will be a book kids love.