When Oleg and Emma invent a new classmate called Sebastian, they are amazed when he appears - very much real - in their secret den.
Sebastian isn't like the rest of their classmates. He's never eaten pizza, he's not sure what goose bumps are, and he has a satchel that seems to hold an endless supply of hot ice cream.
But as the trio begin their adventures, more impossible things keep happening, from a runaway goat appearing at school to a sighting of some snow-women walking down the road. Things soon take a turn for the dangerous when the three friends are pursued by the mysterious Institute of Unreality, who want to capture and erase Sebastian, restoring order to the world.
The Impossible Boy is the perfect fantasy adventure with just enough reality to make the reader question whether the actions that occur are actually impossible. The story centres around Oleg and Emma, best friends who delight in creating a new classmate - Sebastian - to fill the third friend void in their lives. Together they cultivate stories about Sebastian's lives, each one seemingly more impossible and ridiculous than the rest, but when Sebastian appears, from a spaceship, in their secret den, it seems like they might have created a kind of reality after all.
Ben Brooks has sprinkled this book with absolute madness throughout which makes it perfect for reading out loud. Sebastian is exactly the kind of character we all made up as children, the impossible imaginary friend,, which makes it so wonderful when he enters Oleg and Emma's world. Add that to the mysterious mirrored vans that begin appearing, complete with masked crows who are on the hunt for Sebastian and this is a story not only action-packed but quite hilarious in parts too.
From a teacher's perspective I loved the fact that Ben obviously knew his audience inside out. Oleg and Emma's Year 6 class are exactly like a Year 6 class should be and I know that I am exactly like Mr Clay when they ask me question after question in an effort to stall the lesson! It was also refreshing to share Oleg and Emma's backgrounds - Emma with her mum who works so hard yet earns so little and Oleg's dad who has little interest in what his son is up to. Both important and thought-provoking family situations which were covered sensitively and realistically through the story.
The Impossible Boy is a great mash-up of genres - fantasy, sci-fi and superhero-esque in places too. It would make a great read-aloud in the classroom and an excellent recommendation for those who enjoyed the humour of My Brother is a Superhero or Land of Roar.
A fast-paced, crazy adventure including talking snowmen, a cowboy caretaker and just enough grasp on reality.
Comments
Post a Comment