book cover

I Am Lenny Brown

by Dan Freedman, illustrated by Kajsa Hallström

Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 7+

Published by Puffin, 2023

  • Coming-of-age
  • Diaries and journals

About this book

At home with Mum and Rocky, his farting dog, Lenny Brown is chatty and happy but at school it’s a different story because there, Lenny can’t speak. He has plenty to say but the words just won’t come out of his mouth.

He manages because his teacher looks out for him but when he has to move house, and school, Lenny is devastated.

With no friends to confide in, and not wanting to worry his mum, he starts to put his thoughts, feelings and worries into a diary. And, very gradually, and with Rocky’s help, he finds a new way to express himself.

Very short chapters, varied fonts and black and white illustrations make Lenny’s story appealing and accessible to a wide range of readers. Ideal as a shared reading project and to kickstart discussions about diversity, empathy and inclusivity.

Your heart will ache for Lenny, then beat a little faster when he finally achieves his goals.

This is a story of loneliness, courage, kindness and joy whose key message is that there is no such thing as ‘normal’. We are all one-of-a-kind and should not have to fit into the same boxes as other people.

About the author

Dan Freedman was born in London in 1977 and has been obsessed with football from a very young age. His passion was a constant through school and university and led him to doing work experience at Arsenal FC, Radio Five LIVE, Carlton TV, Mail on Sunday and Sky Sports. Dan joined The FA in 2000, becoming editor of their website. As Editor, his job was to bring to life for the public what goes on behind the scenes and to give the players and coaches the platform to talk directly to the fans. He also wrote all the programmes for England matches and The FA Cup Final and toured with the England team during two World Cups and the European Championships.

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