A sensitive story about finding your feet and coping with aggression, and particularly notable for the depiction of father-son bonding

Author and illustrator Priestly explores sensitively, and with well judged humour, the developing friendship of Joe and Billy . . . This is a tale of evolving friendship told with warmth

Sure to strike a chord . . . [Chris Priestley's] wry observation that it's not just children who can be bashful hits home too

Entertaining and amusing

An interesting, pacey story

As always, Chambers writes with the fierce intelligence and honesty which distinguishes his work. If more novels of adolescence had this quality and seriousness, we wouldn't risk losing those readers who feel patronised by teenage fiction

A complex book . . . resulting in a believable and inviting world