Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
March 5, 2015/in Fiction 10-14 Middle/Secondary /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 211 March 2015
Reviewer: Margaret Pemberton
ISBN: 978-1783442287
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Andersen Press
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 10-14 Middle/Secondary
Length: 272pp
Buy the Book

Would the Real Stanley Carrot Please Stand Up?

Author: Rob Stevens

This is a truly funny story about the misadventures of Stanley as he tries to show his new-found mum how cool he is. Stanley is different from the rest of his family, with his red hair and widely different interests. He was adopted at birth and has wanted to find out more about his birth mother for many years. Then on his 13th birthday he receives a card from her and life gets really complicated. He is worried that he will be a disappointment and comes up with a plan to provide a stand-in who will be better than him. As with any wild plan, things do not happen the way he wants and Stanley has to try and sort out the mess. Events are not helped by life at school, where Stanley is the target of bullies and has been asked to recite a poem during the school concert. How will he resolve all of his problems?

This is a heart-warming book about the trials that a young boy goes through in trying to grow up. The characters are believable and we really care about what is going on in Stanley’s life, both at school and at home. The story is told from the hero’s point of view and gives a believable insight into the issues facing a young teenager, particularly if he does not fit in with the rest of the crowd. There is a really good flow to the story and it would no doubt make a good series on TV, especially with the humour and interaction between the main characters. The author has dealt with a very serious topic, but with a light touch that takes into account the feelings of all the parties involved. Hopefully this book will find a place helping those people in a similar situation.

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 Hill2015-03-05 15:05:032021-08-14 15:12:14Would the Real Stanley Carrot Please Stand Up?

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

‘Exceptionally talented illustrators’ Shortlist announced for the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize

May 15, 2025

Next stop Shakespeare’s Globe – finalists of Poetry By Heart competition 2025 announced

May 8, 2025

School Library Association announces Information Book Award longlist and new nationwide Book Club

May 7, 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 Honest Truth Gifted
Scroll to top