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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Well done, David! After a slightly wobbly start for me (silly immature jokes and lists), I quickly saw that this was going to turn into an excellent wish-fulfilment adventure for young readers.
Like the 90s films North (Elijah Wood), Barry decides that he has rubbish parents and wishes he had different ones. He hates his name, he hates them being tired and poor, he hates his younger sisters. Now whether or not the following chapters are somehow real or a dream doesn't really matter. It's very funny and that writing is pretty convincing, as the voice of a not-quite-ten-year-old boy.
The world Baddiel sends Barry into is a scream, with every reference a nod to today's kids - Youngdon is populated by kids who can choose their parents, it's a lot of fun seeing Green Bogey Park and spotting famous names turned into slightly different ones.
Barry goes on his journey to find the best family he can, meeting a menagerie of weird and wonderful parents in this bizarre place who manage to take the mickey out of rich people, celebrity couples, hippies and fitness fanatics. Lots for parents to enjoy.
The illustrations are well spaced out, they don't try to make jokes from themselves as Williams often tries, and Baddiel's humour is also a little more subtle than his celebrity contemporary. He also has a handle on moving endings.
So it's a story that I've seen a couple of times before? Never mind, its fresh in its ideas and not something that's been done to death. Barry is a great lead character, flawed but you can sympathise with his 'plight', a James Bond and football fan who's sick of his sisters ganging up on him and wearing cheap trainers. There's also sympathy for his parents and a good few mentions of their feelings.
Yep, liked this one. Thought I'd be putting it to one side during chapter one, but it saved itself in time.
Would be lots of fun for storytime in class or at home, or great for confident readers of 8/9 to 12.
Hope its not a one-off, Baddiel has talent.
Well done, David! After a slightly wobbly start for me (silly immature jokes and lists), I quickly saw that this was going to turn into an excellent wish-fulfilment adventure for young readers.
Like the 90s films North (Elijah Wood), Barry decides that he has rubbish parents and wishes he had different ones. He hates his name, he hates them being tired and poor, he hates his younger sisters. Now whether or not the following chapters are somehow real or a dream doesn't really matter. It's very funny and that writing is pretty convincing, as the voice of a not-quite-ten-year-old boy.
The world Baddiel sends Barry into is a scream, with every reference a nod to today's kids - Youngdon is populated by kids who can choose their parents, it's a lot of fun seeing Green Bogey Park and spotting famous names turned into slightly different ones.
Barry goes on his journey to find the best family he can, meeting a menagerie of weird and wonderful parents in this bizarre place who manage to take the mickey out of rich people, celebrity couples, hippies and fitness fanatics. Lots for parents to enjoy.
The illustrations are well spaced out, they don't try to make jokes from themselves as Williams often tries, and Baddiel's humour is also a little more subtle than his celebrity contemporary. He also has a handle on moving endings.
So it's a story that I've seen a couple of times before? Never mind, its fresh in its ideas and not something that's been done to death. Barry is a great lead character, flawed but you can sympathise with his 'plight', a James Bond and football fan who's sick of his sisters ganging up on him and wearing cheap trainers. There's also sympathy for his parents and a good few mentions of their feelings.
Yep, liked this one. Thought I'd be putting it to one side during chapter one, but it saved itself in time.
Would be lots of fun for storytime in class or at home, or great for confident readers of 8/9 to 12.
Hope its not a one-off, Baddiel has talent.
pause_theframe's review against another edition
5.0
*Received as an ARC*
The Story
Even if we don't want to admit it, we've all had a time when we felt a bit fed up with out parents. So much, we wished we had new ones, better ones. Usually this feeling goes away, and we feel bad for ever having thought such a thing...but, what if it didn't go away? What if each day was such a drag, you hated every moment - Being ignored, your brother/sister was the favourite, lame gifts, boring parents, embarrassing parents and even...groundings!
What if it didn't have to be that way? Barry wished it was true. He wished it three times over and wished it so hard his room started to shake. Not the normal shake from a lorry passing by. This was different...and are his Messi and Bond posters glowing. Oh god!!! They just talked to him.
This was only the beginning, as Barry was whisked away to Youngdon, a city run by kids, for kids. No seriously, the adults seem to be there, but they are different. Barry cries out for help, and ALL of the parents rush to please him, beg him ('Let me be your parent!!'). Errr, something really was different. What was going on?
Whew, it's all ok because Barry just spotted his best mates coming toward him. Finally something normal. Oh, well, not really. His mates claim to be PCs (Parent Control) and rush him to TPA.
If Barry thought this was crazy, the next five days were going to be insane! Five sets of parents, five birthday parties, five days- Fives times what he's always wanted, right? Then why does he keep seeing a slightly familiar, slightly blurry couple following him to each house? What happens if he doesn't choose a new family? Why does everyone seem so familiar?
What's a boy to do, when he's lost at The Parent Agency, not sure what he really wants?
My Thoughts
This is a fab little book! As an adult, I found myself chuckling at so many points and at the subtle jokes hidden in the story. The similarities to real life - Youngdon/London, United Kiddom/United Kingdom, Lionel Tidy/Lionel Messi, Jatt Blatt/Jack Black, Wobbly Stadium...you see my point. I found it brilliant that the author made the world so similar and yet so different at the same time.
The characters, story, plot and challenges were all great little stories in themselves. I found myself caught up in Barry's trials, trying to find better parents with a list that was set to be his downfall. I think the premise of the story and the way in which it is told makes it absolutely PERFECT to youngsters. I believe it would be goo for all ages, from the youngest reader to adult. Children will find it a great laugh, and may even believe they have something in common with Barry. Adults will find the whole premise of the story and the way it is told rather hilarious.
I also love that the story as a whole makes a brilliant point and strives to teach a great lesson - Be careful what you wish for, it may not be exactly what you want. By the end of the story, Barry has learned a lot about life, expectations, parents and himself. All lessons that are great for children to learn, especially if they learn it from a good read (and not from parents) as we all know they listen and learn better when it is from anyone but parents!
The pace and types of character are excellent, leaving no stone unturned. You get a true likeness of all types of people in our country and of their hilarious doubles. It is very tongue in cheek, but in a youthful sort of way.
Finally, I also like that there is an untold depth to the story, which leaves adults/older kids wondering. Barry comes to find that certain events in Youngdon actually happened in the real world (i.e. paper/window), which begs the question, is TPA real or all in Barry's head. Did he learn the lesson on his own? Was he dreaming? The void??? All of these things make the story very well-rounded and deep. The kind of story you'll revisit many times as you grow up.
OVERALL: A very brilliantly written story. It is genuinely a great book to grab for all ages, especially for kids. Perhaps the perfect Christmas gift, for kids to delve into over the holidays, have a laugh and learn a bit. I would highly recommend it! It's out NEXT WEEK, so pop over and grab a copy. You won't regret it. (Maybe you'll even be able to sneak in a read, when the kids are done).
The Story
Even if we don't want to admit it, we've all had a time when we felt a bit fed up with out parents. So much, we wished we had new ones, better ones. Usually this feeling goes away, and we feel bad for ever having thought such a thing...but, what if it didn't go away? What if each day was such a drag, you hated every moment - Being ignored, your brother/sister was the favourite, lame gifts, boring parents, embarrassing parents and even...groundings!
What if it didn't have to be that way? Barry wished it was true. He wished it three times over and wished it so hard his room started to shake. Not the normal shake from a lorry passing by. This was different...and are his Messi and Bond posters glowing. Oh god!!! They just talked to him.
This was only the beginning, as Barry was whisked away to Youngdon, a city run by kids, for kids. No seriously, the adults seem to be there, but they are different. Barry cries out for help, and ALL of the parents rush to please him, beg him ('Let me be your parent!!'). Errr, something really was different. What was going on?
Whew, it's all ok because Barry just spotted his best mates coming toward him. Finally something normal. Oh, well, not really. His mates claim to be PCs (Parent Control) and rush him to TPA.
If Barry thought this was crazy, the next five days were going to be insane! Five sets of parents, five birthday parties, five days- Fives times what he's always wanted, right? Then why does he keep seeing a slightly familiar, slightly blurry couple following him to each house? What happens if he doesn't choose a new family? Why does everyone seem so familiar?
What's a boy to do, when he's lost at The Parent Agency, not sure what he really wants?
My Thoughts
This is a fab little book! As an adult, I found myself chuckling at so many points and at the subtle jokes hidden in the story. The similarities to real life - Youngdon/London, United Kiddom/United Kingdom, Lionel Tidy/Lionel Messi, Jatt Blatt/Jack Black, Wobbly Stadium...you see my point. I found it brilliant that the author made the world so similar and yet so different at the same time.
The characters, story, plot and challenges were all great little stories in themselves. I found myself caught up in Barry's trials, trying to find better parents with a list that was set to be his downfall. I think the premise of the story and the way in which it is told makes it absolutely PERFECT to youngsters. I believe it would be goo for all ages, from the youngest reader to adult. Children will find it a great laugh, and may even believe they have something in common with Barry. Adults will find the whole premise of the story and the way it is told rather hilarious.
I also love that the story as a whole makes a brilliant point and strives to teach a great lesson - Be careful what you wish for, it may not be exactly what you want. By the end of the story, Barry has learned a lot about life, expectations, parents and himself. All lessons that are great for children to learn, especially if they learn it from a good read (and not from parents) as we all know they listen and learn better when it is from anyone but parents!
The pace and types of character are excellent, leaving no stone unturned. You get a true likeness of all types of people in our country and of their hilarious doubles. It is very tongue in cheek, but in a youthful sort of way.
Finally, I also like that there is an untold depth to the story, which leaves adults/older kids wondering. Barry comes to find that certain events in Youngdon actually happened in the real world (i.e. paper/window), which begs the question, is TPA real or all in Barry's head. Did he learn the lesson on his own? Was he dreaming? The void??? All of these things make the story very well-rounded and deep. The kind of story you'll revisit many times as you grow up.
OVERALL: A very brilliantly written story. It is genuinely a great book to grab for all ages, especially for kids. Perhaps the perfect Christmas gift, for kids to delve into over the holidays, have a laugh and learn a bit. I would highly recommend it! It's out NEXT WEEK, so pop over and grab a copy. You won't regret it. (Maybe you'll even be able to sneak in a read, when the kids are done).
mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
Edit: 18-12-2019. Decided to do a reread since it has been almost 5 years (!!!) since I last read it!
I didn't like the MC that much but it was still a very fun re-read and I may write a re-read review when I feel up to it/feel better.
My 3-star rating has mostly to do with our main character. Other than that the book was really interesting and I like the idea of a Parent Agency.
Let's start with the main character. I just didn't like him. I found him whiny and pathetic. Never once thinking about his parents. They did their best for him and his siblings, but they just didn't have a lot of money and thus they had to say no to him. But yet he kept complaining and whining and acting all mean towards his sisters and his parents.
Luckily, he changes a bit throughout the book. Learning that having money, or fame or anything else he had on his list isn't everything. I was worried he would be happy and delighted to find a world where he can ask for any parent and that he would just forget all about his parents. Thankfully, this doesn't happen.
I really liked the various days/parents. They were all hilarious, though I wonder how they ever would get to be parents. Especially the rich and famous pairs were just a bit too much.
I loved the world that our main character lands in. I found it really interesting that there would be a world where kids pick their own parents. Where there is an agency that handles all the applications and that such an agency is run fully by kids.
I loved the little twist near the end. I didn't see that coming, so I was happily surprised.
All in all, I would still recommend the book, even though the main character might annoy you at times.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I didn't like the MC that much but it was still a very fun re-read and I may write a re-read review when I feel up to it/feel better.
My 3-star rating has mostly to do with our main character. Other than that the book was really interesting and I like the idea of a Parent Agency.
Let's start with the main character. I just didn't like him. I found him whiny and pathetic. Never once thinking about his parents. They did their best for him and his siblings, but they just didn't have a lot of money and thus they had to say no to him. But yet he kept complaining and whining and acting all mean towards his sisters and his parents.
Luckily, he changes a bit throughout the book. Learning that having money, or fame or anything else he had on his list isn't everything. I was worried he would be happy and delighted to find a world where he can ask for any parent and that he would just forget all about his parents. Thankfully, this doesn't happen.
I really liked the various days/parents. They were all hilarious, though I wonder how they ever would get to be parents. Especially the rich and famous pairs were just a bit too much.
I loved the world that our main character lands in. I found it really interesting that there would be a world where kids pick their own parents. Where there is an agency that handles all the applications and that such an agency is run fully by kids.
I loved the little twist near the end. I didn't see that coming, so I was happily surprised.
All in all, I would still recommend the book, even though the main character might annoy you at times.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
alisha_3's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
whisperwind's review against another edition
3.0
As a 34-year-old, I must say that book was quite enjoyable. It felt like a delightful trip back to my childhood days. However, I did come across a few parts that were not completely understandable to me, as I am not particularly interested in James Bond or football. The humor in the book didn't quite align with my taste either. Nonetheless, I believe children aged 9 and above will find it much funnier than I did. Perhaps this book is more suited to their tastes and sense of humor.
hayleybeale's review
3.0
Nicely structured story about Barry, who enters an alternate reality where kids get to choose their own parents. Broad, occasionally questionable, humor will give it appeal to elementary grade kids, but the adult and Anglo focus of some of the jokes may prove puzzling to them. See my full review here.
Thanks to Harper and Edelweiss for the eARC.
Thanks to Harper and Edelweiss for the eARC.
bookishperseus's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rkiladitis's review
3.0
Are you parents sooo boring? Are they too strict? Like your brother/sister/dog better than you? Not wealthy enough to give you the lifestyle you want to become accustomed to? What would you do if you could pick your own parents: what would be on your wish list? Barry Bennett feels the same way. His parents are too boring, they’re not rich, they’re strict, they named him Barry, and after they mess up his perfect idea of a James Bond birthday, he’s fed up. He wishes he had new parents, and finds himself transported to an a parallel universe, where an organization called The Parent Agency helps kids test drive and select the perfect parents for them. The thing is, picking parents out, even when you have an incredibly detailed list of demands? Not as easy as you’d think.
The Parent Agency is a fun book, with a premise all kids will appreciate: kids who want new parents. Parents that will let them do anything, get anything, be anything they want, but there’s always a catch. Kids learn that just because someone looks good on paper doesn’t mean that they’ll be as wonderful in reality. Barry meets parents who fit a certain mold, but they expect their children to fit into that mold, too – and who wants to do that? That whole unconditional love business comes into play, and gives Barry the wake-up call he needs.
Kids will get a good laugh out of the book – the laid back, hippie parents gave me some laugh-out-loud moments, as did the talking posters in Barry’s room. Jim Field’s black and white illustrations throughout add to the laughs. Booktalk this one with The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling and Judy Blume’s Freckle Juice for “the other side isn’t always greener” type reading. Ask kids to come up with their own Parent Agency lists, and try to debunk them – playing devil’s advocate can be fun!
The Parent Agency is a fun book, with a premise all kids will appreciate: kids who want new parents. Parents that will let them do anything, get anything, be anything they want, but there’s always a catch. Kids learn that just because someone looks good on paper doesn’t mean that they’ll be as wonderful in reality. Barry meets parents who fit a certain mold, but they expect their children to fit into that mold, too – and who wants to do that? That whole unconditional love business comes into play, and gives Barry the wake-up call he needs.
Kids will get a good laugh out of the book – the laid back, hippie parents gave me some laugh-out-loud moments, as did the talking posters in Barry’s room. Jim Field’s black and white illustrations throughout add to the laughs. Booktalk this one with The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling and Judy Blume’s Freckle Juice for “the other side isn’t always greener” type reading. Ask kids to come up with their own Parent Agency lists, and try to debunk them – playing devil’s advocate can be fun!