Description
A jock, a try-hard and a space cadet. Highview Grammar will rue the day it put 'History' on the curriculum - because this unlikely trio is starting a revolution.
Edward Heffernan wants one thing: to get away from Nolan Li. If he cuts ties with the embarrassing Nolan, his reputation at Highview Grammar can only go up.
But when Nolan gets a note from the coolest kid in Year 9, Edward sees a chance to be popular. James Crombie is everything that Edward and Nolan are not, but it turns out this trio have one thing in common: they're all sick of the culture, tradition and rules of their snobby 100-year-old high school. And they're ready to do something about it.
A laugh-out-loud debut novel that mixes razor-sharp satire with a rollicking plot and a whole lot of heart. This is a YA coming-of-age caper about accepting yourself just as you are.
Review
Set in an elite Grammar School in Melbourne, we meet Edward Heffernan. He is halfway through Year 9 and known by most by his degrading nickname, The Heffalump.
Nolan picked him as a friend at the start of Year 7 and they really only have each other, but Edward dreams of more. When Nolan accidently hits a softball into the face of Crombie, the coolest kid at school, and flattens his nose, they are prepared for payback.
Nolan dreams big and hopes that he can be a vehicle of change in his old-fashioned macho school. So when he decided to walk the cross-country run, he is surprised when Crombie reaches out to him in sympathy, instead of for payback. Together, the three boys start a secret group called Common Sense, where they put up posters around the school trying to gain the support of all the students to push for change in their schools’ outdated principles.
With themes like unhealthy competition and pitting students against each other, group dynamics and bullying, rebellion, self-interest and the misogynistic attitudes that can still permeate society, this is a terrific Australian contemporary novel that will best suit readers aged 14 and up.
Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
