BIRTHDAY BOY

Author: David Baddiel Illustrator: Jim Field Rating: 9/10 Age: 9+ Genre: Fiction, Humour Pages: 407 Published in: Sept 2017 Main Characters:  Sam and Ruby Green, Grandma Poppy, Grandpa Sam, Grandma Glenda and Grandpa Mike and Mr and Mrs Green

Synopsis: It is the 7th of September, and Sam Green was a 10 year old boy who couldn’t wait for his 11th birthday. After a long wait, it finally came the next day! After having a glorious cake, a fabulous party and fantastic costume, Sam wishes it could be every day! That night, on his birthday, he sees a mini shooting star which sizzles over the sky like a bright firework… Sam decides that he would wish on this peculiar shooting star which had magically popped up in the sky. So, on that night, Sam wishes that he could have his birthday every single day for a whole year! On the next morning, his wish became reality! His mum had given him breakfast in bed, and a heap of new presents, a marvellous cake and his friends came round for a fun party! Sam had a great day! Soon, everyone in the family celebrated Sam’s birthday. It was as if they had become hypnotised! His grandparents (Grandma Poppy, Grandpa Sam, Grandma Glenda and Grandpa Mike) also celebrated his birthday as if they knew it was there all along. However, throughout the year, Sam had changed. Not just in appearance, but also as a person. He kept demanding more and more presents, more cakes and more exciting parties. Till the day came where he started to realise how much these birthday plans were costing his parents. That day arrived when his beloved Grandpa Sam mysteriously disappeared from the care home called Abbey Court. One night, Sam and his sister- Ruby- decided to run away to a nearby island to find the shooting star that Sam had seen land on. He was planning to un-wish his wish so everyone had more time to find Grandpa Sam, and not worry about his birthdays. The young boy had guessed for it to be a star, as it was very bright, but he wasn’t sure… Where is Grandpa Sam? Is the light on the island really a star? Will Sam’s birthdays ever stop? Read this book to find out!

Why I like this book: This book is like a hilarious roller-coaster who like a bit of humour and excitement. David Baddiel emphasises on the key parts of the story while also mixing in a bit of humour. This book also has a valuable lesson tucked up in a corner; and readers would also love to read a little bit about Sam Green’s life and his love for birthdays!