Horace

You’d not think that acquiring a bear from a charity shop could cause so much havoc in one family’s life. But d’Lacey has constructed an amusing, lively, farcical plot that keeps the pages turning and the smiles forming.

Yes, it is a bit far fetched that any charity shop nowadays wouldn’t spot a rare bear as soon as it exited the carrier bag. Yes, the sister from hell and the dodgy antique dealer stereotypes are alive and well here, but you can’t help but like Joel and his sidekick Kenny. You are certainly made to sympathise with him dealing with the cash versus honesty dilemma that he lets himself in for when he raids a charity shop skip in the first place.

Well recommended for early secondary boys.