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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
More pre-teen Tom diaries, entertaining if not a great role model!
And alright, he's not the worst - he pranks his sister, he doesn't do his homework. But he's a good kid really, Tom Gates. He's in a band, has friends and crushes, fakes parent letters. All in all - a kid that other kids enjoy reading about and see themselves in.
In this second book, the narrative continues on really, into a school holiday in which Tom determines he WILL do his homework... but later.
My boys both seemed a bit bemused he didn't just do his review of the concert he went to, not like he wouldn't have a lot to say! But of course, Tom never takes this route, and the cheat's path of copying a synopsis from the back of a book about trees later comes back to bite him, multiple times.
I'd like to see more from Delia the older sister in later episodes I think, see their relationship in a little more detail.
Tom is amiable, but totally lazy. Me and my two listeners all felt it was his own fault he needed to go to the dentist after eating so many caramels and sweets (and we got a good lesson out of this too!). And my eldest was affronted at the way his teacher lets him off so easily with lack of homework or shoddy attempts (his school is a bit more strict!), so again, some good discussions and reminders.
Good to join Rupert Grint on the audiobook again, and this saw us through a few school runs, the 5 year old was keeping up as easily as the 11 year old, and there's nothing unsuitable in these books either (if you don't mind repeated refrains of 'Delia's a Weirdo' at random times through the day).
Typically for ages 8-12, but younger will probably enjoy this insight into Big Kids' Lives too.
And alright, he's not the worst - he pranks his sister, he doesn't do his homework. But he's a good kid really, Tom Gates. He's in a band, has friends and crushes, fakes parent letters. All in all - a kid that other kids enjoy reading about and see themselves in.
In this second book, the narrative continues on really, into a school holiday in which Tom determines he WILL do his homework... but later.
My boys both seemed a bit bemused he didn't just do his review of the concert he went to, not like he wouldn't have a lot to say! But of course, Tom never takes this route, and the cheat's path of copying a synopsis from the back of a book about trees later comes back to bite him, multiple times.
I'd like to see more from Delia the older sister in later episodes I think, see their relationship in a little more detail.
Tom is amiable, but totally lazy. Me and my two listeners all felt it was his own fault he needed to go to the dentist after eating so many caramels and sweets (and we got a good lesson out of this too!). And my eldest was affronted at the way his teacher lets him off so easily with lack of homework or shoddy attempts (his school is a bit more strict!), so again, some good discussions and reminders.
Good to join Rupert Grint on the audiobook again, and this saw us through a few school runs, the 5 year old was keeping up as easily as the 11 year old, and there's nothing unsuitable in these books either (if you don't mind repeated refrains of 'Delia's a Weirdo' at random times through the day).
Typically for ages 8-12, but younger will probably enjoy this insight into Big Kids' Lives too.
shighley's review against another edition
3.0
When was the last time you said a 300+ page book was a quick read? I think kids would really like this. The words and pictures flow easily together, and the episodes move along. I loved the glossary at the back that explained the meaning of words used in England/Canada in terms those in the US might be more used to. I read this book for a rather serendipitous reason; I was on Christmas break and happened to see this as a recent eBook addition/return on one of the two library systems I frequent.
dullhilarity's review against another edition
4.0
4/4.5
The Tom Gates series has been one of my favourites for a while!
The Tom Gates series has been one of my favourites for a while!
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