Author(s): Malorie Blackman

Special Order

Covers issues of self esteem and peer pressure.

Despite his Mum's insistence, Sam doesn't want to be friends with Davey, he thinks Davey's a first class, grade A, top of the dung heap moron. But one day Davey saves Sam's life and a bond is formed between them. Sam is still embarrassed to be seen with Davey, but little by little he has to admit, when it's just the two of them, Davey is a lot of fun. But then something terrible happens to Davey. . .

Told in verse, in first person, this is the touching story of an extraordinary friendship, that changes two boys lives for ever. An uplifting tale that truly sings out.

"It soon develops into a cautionary tale about the way that both a friendship and a child's originality is destroyed by peer pressure. What makes it even more unusual is that it is told out of the mind of the boy who brought about the destruction. Blackman threads humour into the tragedy and (just) succeeds in giving us something to hope for."--The Independent; "A celebration of friendship and individuality."--Primary Times(Lincs.); "It is funny and poignant and Blackman's use of language is wonderfully economic. This is a masterpiece of writing and a book for all ages."--TES; "A wonderful story of friendship and learning about yourself... Deceptively simple with deeper overtones, this is a very thought-provoking story."-Primary Times(Hampshire); "A powerful book both in content and style."-- www writeaway.co.uk

For ages nine and up.