The Astounding Broccoli Boy

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton

Interest age: 9 to 10
Reading age: 9+

Published by Macmillan Children's Books, 2015

Adventure
Funny
Science fiction

About this book

Rory Rooney is unremarkable in almost everything, apart from his capacity to attract the attention of the school bully. But when he suddenly and spectacularly turns green, he becomes a superhero! With an enhanced, 200% brain and an ability to slightly teleport, what other explanation could there be for his greenness?

Rory and two other mysteriously green children are confined to a hospital isolation unit, but they know that they must escape to start the business of righting wrongs and fighting injustice. Featuring a dramatic fall from a 12-storey building, a close encounter with a gorilla and a rather unfortunate accident with a bin lorry, the latest hilarious offering from much-loved author Frank Cottrell Boyce makes for compulsive and hugely appealing reading.

About the author

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a multi award-winning children’s book author and screenwriter. Millions, his debut children's novel, won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal.

His other books include Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, Runaway Robot, Noah’s Gold and The Wonder Brothers. He has enjoyed a long-time collaboration with award-winning illustrator Steven Lenton. His books have been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Whitbread Children’s Fiction Award, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award.

Frank is also a highly successful screenwriter. He has written for the hit TV series Dr Who and his script for Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom won a British Animation Award. Along with Danny Boyle, he devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. Frank has been the judge for the 500 Words competition and the BBC's One Show As You Write It competition.

Frank is a lifelong champion of children’s books. In 2023 he launched a successful podcast with Nadia Shireen, The Island of Brilliant!, celebrating writing and illustration for children of all ages.

He lives in Merseyside with his family.

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