The Cheat Book (1): Can Kamal cheat his way on to the cool table?

Kamal is languishing at the bottom of the social heap at school, but is desperate to find out how to rise up the ranks to join the students at the top table. Then he finds the Cheat Book, which offers him a glimpse of hope in achieving his dreams.... However, the Cheat Book's advice doesn't always deliver what Kamal expects and, watched over by the good and bad 'angels' from his Muslim heritage, things don't always go to plan, delivering plenty of laughs for the reader along the way.   

There is so much humour and warmth in The Cheat Book, ably supported by Ramzee's illustrations, which will help entice and entertain even the most reluctant reader to keep turning the pages.  The glimpses we get of Kamal's home life - his annoying older sisters, the dad jokes, being forced to go to Muslim school - provide the backdrop to the story and positive representation of a family who arrived in the country as refugees.

The Cheat Book also brings humour to the ups and downs of school life, including bullies, difficult teachers and the social hierarchy of the school. Kamal doesn't always get things right, but you're with him all the way and children will empathise with the difficulties he faces.

Reading The Cheat Book will also encourage much discussion about how social media can affect our lives, and whether children would want to have a Cheat Book in their own lives, and if so, why? 

This is a funny, warm story that gently touches on many important subjects for children. Highly recommended.

256 pages / Reviewed by Elen Green.

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Kamal desperately wants to be one of the 'cool' kids at school, but life is not making it easy. So, when he finds a book called 'The Cheat Book' he decides to take any advice that it can give him. With the help of his best friends and his inner 'angels', from his Muslim heritage, he hopes to up his score on the social media app that is taking over the school, but things do not always work out the way he hopes.

The Cheat Book is a delightfully funny look at the trials and tribulations of school. From bullies and angry headteachers, to trying to be the coolest kid around, life is definitely not simple. The first chapter is totally hilarious, as we find that it mainly consists of Kamal's daydreams - and he is about to come back down to earth with a bang.

Kamzee, the author/illustrator, has struck a balance between the humour and sensitively addressing the themes such as bullying, the power of social media and the issues around not wanting the world to know that you are a refugee. The illustrations bring the story to life and I particularly love the two 'angels', Raqib and Atid.

This story will really appeal to children aged eight years plus and in the classroom, can be used in discussions about this range of topics, as well as about being a Muslim. It also reminds us about the power of friendship and understanding and empathy.

256 pages / Reviewed by Margaret Pemberton, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+