"A life-affirming coming of age novel about a boy in a very unusual situation"
June 2024 Book of the Month
Twelve-year-old Frankie has a long list of worries, from skin cancer and disease, to fire ants, to terrible things happening to his family. A nighttime chat with his mum generally has the effect of calming him down and this ‘10pm question’ is a regular part of their routine. But as the story unfolds, we realise that Frankie’s mother hasn’t left the house in nine years, that she’s unable to do so. The stress that this is putting on Frankie, who feels responsible for his mum, grows and grows, and he becomes concerned that he will turn out the same.
Things reach crisis point when his new friend Sydney announces she is leaving. Sydney’s mother, in contrast to Frankie’s, can’t stay in any place for more than months at a time, which is equally problematic for her daughter.
Frankie’s eccentric but lovable relations and his friends are depicted with immense skill in this extremely engaging, often very funny story. In addition to his other problems, Frankie also has to cope with the usual challenges facing twelve-year-olds and this is also warm, sensitive and credible portrait of a young boy in a unique situation.
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The 10pm Question was a beautiful and funny book, it was touching and heart-warming, hilarious and sad.
The 10pm Question was a beautiful and funny book about anxiety, mental health and just life in general. It was touching and heartwarming, hilarious and sad. From dogs called Ray Davies to late night conversations with skulls this book really has everything a reader of any age could want. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. I loved this book and thought it was really well written.... Read Full Review
This engaging story explores how Frankie can manage when he feels he has to think up solutions for the problems that are all around us. What can he learn that may help us all?
Have you ever thought about something so much it becomes the only thing you can think about? We can all probably relate with Frankie, the protagonist of this story, to some degree. Frankie has a well-established daily routine which includes asking his mum at bedtime about the pressing issues on his mind. Whether that is about changing the batteries in the fire alarms or the nature of a rash he’s spotted on his chest. One day Frankie’s routine changes as a girl joins his school. Can Frankie cope as his world widens to include worrying about his new friend? What happens when you feel like you can’t think up solutions for the problems that are all around you? This book has some really interesting ideas and engages you more and more as it goes on.... Read Full Review
I loved reading this very intriguing book. It was full of interesting and hilarious characters, who made me laugh out loud. I found Frankie really fascinating, with complicated thoughts and feelings, and I got to really like him. The book made me think about what goes on in other people's lives. Once I started reading it I could not put the book down, and was desperate to know the ending, and what would happen to Frankie and his Ma.
Every night at 10pm Frankie hears what he calls a rodent voice, telling him all the things he's scared of. Every night he goes to Ma's room and she listens to all his fears, and reassures him that everything will be ok. The one thing he doesn't say is that he's worried about Ma, who hasn't left home in nine years. A new girl comes to school, funny, eye-bulging Sydney, and they become friends. He likes to talk and ask questions and he discovers he likes to talk as well and all at once life feels better. I loved reading this intriguing book. It was full of interesting and hilarious characters, who made me laugh out loud. I found Frankie really fascinating, with complicated thoughts and feelings and I got to really like him. The book made me think about what goes on in other people's lives.... Read Full Review
