"Another authentic, hilarious and touching triumph for teacher turned author Jenny Pearson"
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2022 ages 7-10 | May 2021 Book of the Month
With absolutely no sign of the tricky second novel syndrome following, as it swiftly does, the critically acclaimed Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, Jenny Pearson shows again her ability to make the reader laugh aloud while also tackling some really emotional ‘big’ topics . As a primary teacher she knows her audience inside out and creates very real and believable characters even if they are involved in extraordinary adventures. The capacity of children to become obsessed with the Guinness Book of World Records is familiar to every librarian and so the theme of this story is spot on. Young readers will adore that every chapter is headed by ever more outlandish world records (and to read about the author’s own favourites at the end) and will relish the antics of Lucy and Sandesh in their record attempts. I love the fact that the text is peppered with Don’t Try this at Home warnings too! The lively illustrations only add to the book’s already significant shelf appeal.
But it is the reason for the World Record attempt that gives the hilarity a much deeper impact. Lucy’s single parent Mum suffers from depression and is hospitalised at the beginning of the book. Lucy’s poignant quest to find her Mum’s happiness tellingly reveals the internal struggles of children faced with parental mental health issues and will provide an invaluable opportunity for other children to empathise or indeed talk about their own difficulties. The fact that Lucy realises that she does have a strong support network with her eccentric, yet wise, Aunt Sheila and with her incredibly loyal friend Sandesh, will provide these children with comfort and hope that things will get better.
This novel positively sparkles with kindness, heart and humour and I predict young readers will be fighting to get hold of it!
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone.
Head over there and check it out now.
Amatullah loved this book and kept stopping to tell me all the funny bits and records. She set her own record, reading a book in less than 24 hours!
“The incredible record smashers” was amazing and hilarious. It was about an 11 year old girl, called Lucy. She applies to be on a TV show about record breaking. When her mum is ill, her Aunt Sheila, who worries too much, let’s her stay at her house. Lucy and her play date Sandesh, a boy from her class, attempt at breaking a world record. My favourite part was when Mrs Hunter (Lucy’s year 6 teacher) whispers to the ceiling about early retirement!
My favourite character is Aunt Sheila because she has a shed full of food, if an earthquake occurs, with enough food for three people to survive for one year.... Read Full Review
Record Smashers is an amazing book for ages 7 and over. It is about Lucy, a girl who is good at fixing things but she has the hardest challenge - fixing her unhappy mum. It's a happy adventurous book and I highly recommend it.
The Incredible Record Smashers is a book about Lucy and her best friend Sandesh. They both go to the same school and they come up with a crazy plan to beat a record in order to cheer up Lucy's mum. It takes them a while to find a record to break that they can do and suits Lucy. They then realise that they can make up their own record and come up with an idea that then forms the story in this book. I liked the characters and would definitely recommend this book to my friends as I think they would enjoy reading it too.... Read Full Review
A great, funny, record breaking, adventure.
The Incredible Record Smashers is an extremely humorous and adventurous book. It is about two young children looking for a world record to break, to help one of their mothers beat depression. Little did they know there would be obstacles in their way. I liked the character of Sandish because he is funny and interesting, and I can relate to him.... Read Full Review
.jpg)
