Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
November 1, 2014/in Fiction 8-10 Junior/Middle /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 209 November 2014
Reviewer: Lucy Russell
ISBN: 978-1447270942
Price: £10.99
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 8-10 Junior/Middle
Length: 384pp
Buy the Book

Moone Boy: The Blunder Years

Authors: Chris O’Dowd, Nick V Murphy

Martin Moone has three sisters, problems with bullies, and is in need of a sidekick. So when his friend Padriac suggests he obtain an imaginary friend or IF, Martin jumps at the chance. Loopy Loo turns out to be just what he did not need – an exhaustingly hyperactive clown – and he finds himself much happier with Sean ‘Caution’ Murphy, an Imaginary Clerk instead. As Martin and his IF face bullies, sisters and life in general, and try to deal with Loopy Lou who steadfastly refuses to disappear, they find that although things may not go straightforwardly in life, having an IF by your side makes things a whole lot more fun.

Readers will enjoy getting to know the hapless Martin, sympathise with his trials and laugh out loud at the scrapes in which he lands himself. Written as a ‘prequel’ to the award winning TV series, the story is semi-autobiographical, based on the authors’ experiences of growing up in semi-rural Ireland. As a result, readers may find unfamiliar terms crop up, but tongue in cheek ‘notes’ on pages may (or may not) help navigation for the non-Irish reader. At 370 pages, confident readers of 9+ will be able to enjoy this story, though some adults may feel some of the content may be more appropriate for older children (or some may feel, not appropriate at all), such as Martin’s exploitation of his sisters’ ‘boobs’.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Angie Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Angie Hill2014-11-01 01:00:172021-10-10 11:12:26Moone Boy: The Blunder Years

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue Bfk 272 May 2025
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Choice and reading relevant to their interests = reading for pleasure

June 11, 2025

Ross Montgomery wins the 2025 FCBG Children’s Book Award

June 7, 2025

Michael Rosen and Emily Gravett IBBY UK nominations for Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2026

June 4, 2025

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2025 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
The World Beneath Thor is Locked in My Garage
Scroll to top