Favourite hopeless, but loveable characters

First of all, let’s get something straight. Hopeless isn’t a word I like. No kid is hopeless, in a book, a film or in real life. 

But some kids are underdogs, some kids have the odds stacked against them, and these are the kids I love, because they have the power to surprise you, the power to rise up, stand up and show their mettle. They are, for want of a better word, superheroes. 

So here are some of my absolute favourites… 

Is there a better book for any age? Nope. Is there a finer example of the underdog ever written? Again – no. 

Stanley has to battle a family curse, false imprisonment, psychotic prison guards and venomous lizards, as well as the world’s worst blisters from digging holes. What a legend. 

Yes, yes, I already mentioned this masterpiece, but how could I not mention a handful of the supporting cast. I mean, look at their names! How can they possibly amount to anything? But they do…and then some, all thanks to the genius of the author. 

Dermot likes the sugary stuff, which doesn’t do a lot for his shape, health or self-esteem. He’s sent to a dietician, and even worse, to a posh school where he has to write about his… feelings. I love this book. It’s perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid and Lottie Brooks. 

There are a series of books about poor old Joey, whose ADHD makes him feel like his head is swarming with a million bees. Joey is a great kid, with a massive heart, but his family are a mess, and he often makes… interesting choices. I defy you to not fall in love with him. 

I love a comic book & this series is a beauty! Imagine finding a pixie colony at the bottom of your garden? Imagine them crowning you king? Perfect, right? Wrong!!! As these pixies are mischievous and anarchic and seemingly hellbent on making poor Toby’s life an absolute misery. Straight from the weekly Phoenix Comic, this is seriously funny stuff. 

Finn’s Epic Fails by Phil Earle, illustrated by Al Murphy, is out now.