LoveReading4Kids Says
Not since Adrian Mole opened his diary have the thoughts and innermost feelings of an adolescent boy been examined so precisely or with such heart.
Stan is twelve, shy and a worrier, so the thought of a holiday in Italy with his friend Felix and Felix’s family freaks him out. He’s going though: we meet him at the airport drawing up a ‘duck-it’ list of things he hopes he’ll never have to do. Little does he know that he’ll tick off six out of ten of them on his holiday, and enjoy it too.
The first-person narrative lets us in on all Stan’s thoughts, but he’s a good observer of others so we learn loads about the others in the holiday party too, kids and grown-ups. There are laugh-out-loud scenes and moments of pure agony, and through it all Stan is learning loads about himself and life in general. Honest, revealing, compassionate and so entertaining, this is a must read for all the Stans out there – adults, give yourselves a treat and read it too.
Andrea Reece
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Worst. Holiday. Ever Synopsis
Stan is going on holiday to Italy with his (fifth) best friend Felix and a load of strangers. Stan is absolutely terrified. Luckily, his mum's given him an emergency list that includes how to survive a shark attack, and what to do if he gets kidnapped. Stan thinks that a better list would include how to cope with odd food, and what to do if he accidentally calls Felix's mum 'mum' in front of everybody.
And it soon turns out Italy is full of dangers and things that can go wrong. One thing's for certain, Stan's not going to come back the same boy he left. He just hope he comes back at all . . . Worst. Holiday. Ever is a story about facing fears, dealing with worries, and how it's OK to be anxious, scared, and sometimes a little bit brave.
About This Edition
About Charlie Higson
Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, including the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer and co-creator of 'The Fast Show' and Radio Four's award-winning 'Down the Line' series - recently made into a popular BBC2 sketch show, 'Bellamy's People'. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many children sleepless nights with his The Enemy series.
The Young Bond books have, to date, sold over a million copies in the UK and been translated into 24 different languages. The Young Bond titles are included in a recent list of books complied by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the School Libraries Association to encourage school boys to read (www.boysintobooks.co.uk).
After studying at the University of East Anglia, Charlie formed a band, The Higsons. He then became a decorator before turning to the world of television and going into partnership with his friend Paul Whitehouse. Their successes included 'Saturday Live', the 'Harry Enfield Television Programme', 'The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer', 'Shooting Stars', 'Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased', the film 'Suite 16', 'Swiss Toni' and 'The Fast Show'.
Most recently Charlie and Paul co-produced, and performed in, the controversial and award-winning spoof radio series Down the Line for BBC Radio 4. This later became the television comedy series Bellamy’s People, on BBC 2, inspired by the Radio series.
Charlie is also a successful adult novelist and has written four thrillers, King of the Ants (1992), Happy Now (1993), Full Whack (1995) and Getting Rid of Mr Kitchen (1996).
Charlie lives in London with his wife and three sons.
Questions for Charlie Higson:
What was your inspiration for The Enemy?
George Romero’s early zombie films – Night of the Living Dead & Dawn of the Dead mostly. But there are bits of Lord of the Rings, fairy tales and the tales of the Greek heroes.
Which character was the most fun to write?
Small Sam and the Kid. They’re a good double act.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
I use my own kids and their friends for inspiration, but there is no one character
that is based on one particular person.
What was the last film that blew you away?
Pan’s Labyrinth was amazing. Special effects and fantasy are used for more than just pretty pictures.
Who would you choose to be if you could be a celebrity for the day?
That idea is just too scary to contemplate. My God, imagine !
Click here to read more Charlie Higson Q&A.
Charlie Higson loves what could be THE debut of 2011, Undead by Kirsty McKay: 'A kick-ass teen-action zombie-fest. Fast, furious, freaky, funny and seriously sick. Oh, and did I mention it kicks ass ?'
Author photo: Andy Paradise
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