Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)

The second in the trilogy about Tom Gates, a very funny, lively, and engaging young lad, is as equally good as its prequel. Picking up directly where the first finishes, this volume has Tom telling us about his band Dog Zombies' first gig, his weird grandparents who he calls The Fossils, his teacher's gold star system, the annoying Marcus and hyperactive Norman of course, and the very funny field trip. Just as with the first, the use of doodles, pictures, and different fonts really adds to the enjoyment of the story and the satisfaction of the reader as they get through numerous pages very quickly. There is an accompanying blog to the series which has more of Tom's drawings and stories alongside things from the internet that he finds amusing and this resource will add not only to the readers' enjoyment of the series but also its use as a class text. I can see this book becoming a TV series or film and I look forward recommending it to others and to reading book three. Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Natalie Plimmer, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+