Tom Gates Best Book Day Ever (so far)

Tom Gates Best Book Day Ever (so far) by L. Pichon (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74362-014-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Tom Gates is back in this novella sized story of huge ideas, books, an alien scale monster and embarrassing setbacks.

It’s book week at Oakfield School and all the students are excited about dressing up as their favourite character for the book parade. Tom has an excellent idea for a costume but is his mum capable of helping him pull it off? Will his costume beat annoying classmate Marcus Meldrew’s? And is the prize worth all that he goes through to get it?

I really enjoy the Tom Gates books. Tom is a well-drawn character dealing with all that life throws at him - teen anxieties, embarrassing parents, grumpy sister, Marcus, school, sport and teachers. Nothing ever quite goes his way and he is constantly embarrassed by the circumstances which he finds himself in. But he carries on regardless, optimistically.

Full of humour, pictures and Tom’s insight on life, Tom Gates Best Book Day Ever (so far) is a really entertaining book. The layout with its line drawings, different fonts everywhere, speech bubble and doodles, will attract those looking for a light read and the content will hook the readers into the rest of the series.