Frank Boyce wrote the extremely popular novel, Millions. Here he blends his trade mark humour with knowledge of the Apollo mission and teenage parenting messages.

Liam is a whiz kid computer games player who looks older than he is. When he wins a competition to visit the world’s greatest ever fun park he has to prolong a charade of being a father. Eventually Liam is selected by the other kids as the ‘father’ to accompany them on the Big Ride. There is a lot of adult role play as Liam and ‘daughter’ Florida rather unbelievably get what they want, a trip into outer space. Some of the other crew members persist right to the last in thinking the outing is just one huge game park ride.

Some of the questions for discussion at the end of the book would make interesting follow-ups by teachers.

Any Year 6 - 9 reader with an interest in computers or space travel would find this story very entertaining.

review by Phil

image by Sweetie187