The Big Ask

By Author / Illustrator

Simon James Green, Ali Ardington, Mallory Heyer

Genre

LBGTQ+

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Barrington Stoke

ISBN

9781800902428

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-06-2024

Synopsis

Alfie Parker has bagged the hottest date to prom ... hasn't he? A life-affirming teen romance from bestselling author Simon James Green.

Harvey is popular, cool, plays football and has been in a relationship with his girlfriend Summer for as long as anyone can remember. Alfie is not popular, not cool, has a sick note so he doesn't have to play any sport, and has been in a relationship with his Xbox since forever.

So when Summer dramatically dumps Harvey just a few days before the school prom, no one is expecting Alfie to ask Harvey to be his date. Least of all Alfie. But sometimes amazing things can happen when you take a chance ...

Particularly suitable for readers aged 13+ with a reading age of 8+.

Reviews

Ruth

The Big Ask is a heartwarming book about friendship and the school prom. Alfie, the main character, hears that his crush, Harvey, has been dumped by his long term girlfriend, Summer, shortly before the big night. Taking courage in both hands he asks Harvey, the coolest boy in school, to be his date and amazingly, Harvey agrees.

Although this story is partly an LGBTQ+ romance, it is also a story about kindness and loyalty between friends, standing up for your principles and being open and honest about your feelings. The author has created authentic and likeable characters and the story is full of teen relatable issues which will make it a very popular read amongst the older students in senior school.

As a school librarian, it is a great addition to both our super readable collections and our LGBTQ+ genre. This Barrington Stoke publication offers a dyslexia friendly format for a well developed story in just over 100 pages. Without spoiling the ending, the conclusion is perfect without being cheesy.

An all round feel-good book, The Big Ask offers students of all abilities a great read, but it will particularly appeal to those for whom reading might be more of a challenge. Simon James Green's first BS publication is both thoughtful and funny and will become a firm favourite to suggest to older teens at school. Highly recommended.

120 pages / Reviewed by Ruth Cornish, school librarian