book cover

The Day I Was Erased

by Lisa Thompson

Interest age: 9 to 12
Reading age: 9+

Published by Scholastic, 2019

  • Adventure
  • Chapter books

About this book

Maxwell is constantly in trouble at school and at home, especially when he is wound up from hearing his parents argue. After hurting his best friend, he is banned from attending the school’s Centenary Ball.

Not wanting to miss out, Maxwell sneaks in but ends up in enormous trouble after switching off the electricity! He seeks solace with Reg, his trusted neighbour, but a strange turn of events transports Maxwell to a world where nobody, not even his parents or sister, recognise him. It’s as if he never existed.

Maxwell suspects the historical curiosities in Reg’s house contain clues to help him return to his old life, but he can’t fix this alone. Can he win the affection of his pal again?

The Day I Was Erased is a fabulous book that captures the vibrancy and buzz of school life. Lisa Thompson’s light touch in delicately exploring emotional wellbeing means the story can be enjoyed by younger children and teenagers alike and can help begin important conversations about memory loss, parental discord and the meaning of friendship.

Everyone will recognise aspects of Maxwell in themselves and his story will leave readers with a warm glow and lots of hope.

About the author

Lisa Thompson is a children’s novelist and the author of the best-selling The Goldfish Boy and The Light Jar. The Goldfish Boy was a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, the Branford Boase Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She lives in Suffolk with her family.

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