Even if that really ended up being a 'good thing' in the book, I kept thinking those parents should not be patting themselves on the back, they should back off! The idea of their friendship blossoming from the raft Shooting Star was such a good symbol of the novel.

Then, as I learned more about Dan and what happened to his brother, Ben, I started to understand his aggressive attitude. Thankfully, I've never really been bullied, not like Alex, but there so was something so painfully real about the way it was written. I think everyone in year 5 and 6 should read this - so you can understand what it's like to be bullied and then you'd never bully anyone. Dan is angry and has been ever since his brother left, and is taking it out on one person in particular, Alex.

Overall this is a classic story with classic writing, but still good in showing a warmth that is successfully conveyed in an attractive way through the perspective of teenagers that are not patronizing. In your book we get to see the story not only from the viewpoint of the child who is being bullied Alex but also from the side of the bully Dan. Then the boys' mums arrange for them to meet up and finish building the raft that Dan started with his brother.

All the things that could go Wrong" has also won many school and library awards, and continues to be shortlisted. When their moms arrange for Alex and Dan to spend time together over winter break, it seems like a recipe for certain disaster. Alex is terrified and spends his days trying to avoid them, but knows they’ll get him again tomorrow. Dan is similar but because he’s louder he’s actually demanding attention but at the same time, he is like Alex, he trying to work his way through his problems and somehow discover his own identity. They would also only drop off a case of books and leave us to run it – it was so lovely to have you on hand to chat to the children and recommend them books, as well as the small (but appreciated!

It just feels like there was so many different factors to this bullying and they were all so well rounded up, like everything slotted together so well. Dan is angry; angry that his brother left him; angry that his parents won’t stop fighting but most of all: angry at the world.

It could help people understand exactly why Alex is so unusual and also why Dan is so mean a lot of the time. You rather feel like Alex as he watches and waits for Dan, Sophie and the Georges to turn their collective gaze upon him. This would be a wonderful story to read in upper KS2 classrooms and would appeal to readers who have enjoyed books about real-life issues such as Wonder or The Goldfish Boy. The actual plot line of Alex helping Dan with the raft took about one third of the book to get to, however, I really felt like that first third really helped to build the characters up and their relationships with each other, and show the extent of the bullying before diving in to Alex helping with the raft. And we know in depth about how Alex feels when his OCD begins to get the better of him, and when being bullied mingles with that.

The last thing he wants (and the last thing Alex wants) is for “that weird kid at school” to come and mess it up for him. Your selection was perfect for our children and what really made the difference was your ability to engage with each child, discuss their interests and help them to choose a suitable book based on your extensive knowledge of the books you were selling. I’m not sure that in the early years a child could actually describe empathy, more that it comes out in their own behaviours and I’m pretty sure some of the great middle grade books are promoting this. When their moms arrange for Alex and Dan to spend time together over winter break, it seems like a recipe for certain disaster…until it isn’t. It could also encourage children who are expressing their emotions in a negative way to talk to someone about how they are feeling.