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Siggy and Amber
'I want to see what's behind the door.''Amber, maybe we should leave.''We can't back out now.'There is something strange at Tallis Point. Siggy knows, because he's seen it. And now the mysterious, non-blonde Amber want to see it too.Should Siggy take Amber to Tallis Point? On the good side, he might end up with a girlfriend. On the bad side, he might explode. It's a tough decision.Funny, touching, and outrageous, Siggy and Amber is Doug MacLeod at his very best.
- GenresContemporaryYoung Adult
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
21 people want to read
About the author
Doug MacLeod
40 books22 followersDoug MacLeod is a Melbourne-based writer and TV producer who has worked on many of Australia's most popular comedy shows, including The Comedy Company, Fast Forward, Big Girls' Blouse, The Micallef Program and SeaChange. He was also the script editor on Kath and Kim.
While he enjoys the TV work, he prefers writing books for young people. After leaving his full-time job in TV, Doug wrote the teenage novel Tumble Turn, which was published by Penguin in 2003, and is on the syllabus at Deakin University.
On The Cards is a book of ridiculous greeting card rhymes with an introduction by Ben Elton that Doug wrote for the international charity Comic Relief in 2002. A second book of creepy rhymes, Spiky, Spunky, My Pet Monkey, was released in 2004. Both books are illustrated by Craig Smith and published by Penguin. Craig and Doug again collaborated on Leon Stumble’s Book of Stupid Fairytales, published by Working Title in 2005.
Doug’s second young adult novel for Penguin, I’m Being Stalked by a Moonshadow (2006), was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Awards, and published in America by Front Street Press.
Two fantasy novels, Kevin the Troll (2007) and The Clockwork Forest (2008), came next and were also published by Penguin. The Clockwork Forest was presented as a play at The Sydney Theatre Company in 2008.
Doug’s third young adult novel, Siggy and Amber, was released by Penguin in 2009.
But he’s probably best known for a book called Sister Madge’s Book of Nuns, which was published in 1986. He's less well known for The Life of a Teenage Body-snatcher, which was published by Penguin in 2010 and is a much better book, especially if you like your comedy a little black.
Recent non-book-related activities include co-devising the animated TV series, Dogstar, for which he has won two Australian Writers’ Guild Awards and the inaugural John Hinde Award for Science Fiction. There are 52 episodes. Doug wrote half of them. Philip Dalkin wrote the other half. The show plays all over the world and premiered on the BBC.
With satirist John Clarke and composer Alan John he wrote a play based on May Gibbs’ famous children’s book, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. It was directed by Neil Armfield and premiered at The Sydney Festival in 2007.
With comedian Tracy Harvey he co-wrote the musical Call Girl in 2009, which had two Melbourne seasons.
In 2008 Doug received the Fred Parsons Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Australian Comedy at the Australian Writers’ Guild Awards.
While he enjoys the TV work, he prefers writing books for young people. After leaving his full-time job in TV, Doug wrote the teenage novel Tumble Turn, which was published by Penguin in 2003, and is on the syllabus at Deakin University.
On The Cards is a book of ridiculous greeting card rhymes with an introduction by Ben Elton that Doug wrote for the international charity Comic Relief in 2002. A second book of creepy rhymes, Spiky, Spunky, My Pet Monkey, was released in 2004. Both books are illustrated by Craig Smith and published by Penguin. Craig and Doug again collaborated on Leon Stumble’s Book of Stupid Fairytales, published by Working Title in 2005.
Doug’s second young adult novel for Penguin, I’m Being Stalked by a Moonshadow (2006), was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Awards, and published in America by Front Street Press.
Two fantasy novels, Kevin the Troll (2007) and The Clockwork Forest (2008), came next and were also published by Penguin. The Clockwork Forest was presented as a play at The Sydney Theatre Company in 2008.
Doug’s third young adult novel, Siggy and Amber, was released by Penguin in 2009.
But he’s probably best known for a book called Sister Madge’s Book of Nuns, which was published in 1986. He's less well known for The Life of a Teenage Body-snatcher, which was published by Penguin in 2010 and is a much better book, especially if you like your comedy a little black.
Recent non-book-related activities include co-devising the animated TV series, Dogstar, for which he has won two Australian Writers’ Guild Awards and the inaugural John Hinde Award for Science Fiction. There are 52 episodes. Doug wrote half of them. Philip Dalkin wrote the other half. The show plays all over the world and premiered on the BBC.
With satirist John Clarke and composer Alan John he wrote a play based on May Gibbs’ famous children’s book, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. It was directed by Neil Armfield and premiered at The Sydney Festival in 2007.
With comedian Tracy Harvey he co-wrote the musical Call Girl in 2009, which had two Melbourne seasons.
In 2008 Doug received the Fred Parsons Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Australian Comedy at the Australian Writers’ Guild Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 11, 2024
Cute, ghost mystery, nerdy characters, funny.
An old house situated within a military zone is rumoured to be haunted by a ghost. Who but Siggy and his best friend Fergus, can figure it out? After sneaking into the premises, they vow never to tell anyone about what they saw…that is unless they each find a girlfriend, which knowing them should be like never.
Amber is the new kid on the block. A weirdo or just interesting? Either way she has an eye for risks and mischief, and Siggy is so desparate to become boyfriend/girlfriend that he will do anything. Even if it may blow them up!
Siggy, Fergus and Amber need to overcome obstacles, find the right people who know stuff, risk military trespassing penalties, and solve the riddle as to how old Henderson died, was it suicide or something else?
I loved the characters. All of them: the kids circle, the info recruits, the parents, the stickler for the rules, everyone.
The plot was excellent: straight forward and with twists. Solve the mystery.
There were some good life lessons. Especially about putting your foot down rather than appeasing others, and not just ditching people, but taking responsibility and working through things.
The ending, hmmm, it was ok. This is where I deducted a star. The set up was there, the narrowing down of the investigation was great. All that was left hanging was an explanation of the how. But overall, it was a most enjoyable read.
Coincidentally, the day after I finished this book, I also went into a military zone and heard about the terminologies used such as UXO’s (unexploded ordnances). Oh you want to know what I was doing there? Sure, I’ll tell you….I’m volunteering with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program for 9 days in a military area. Before you worry about exploding devils, don’t worry, they’re perfectly fine and well outside the high danger zone. I think that’s a pretty weird/interesting coincidence.
An old house situated within a military zone is rumoured to be haunted by a ghost. Who but Siggy and his best friend Fergus, can figure it out? After sneaking into the premises, they vow never to tell anyone about what they saw…that is unless they each find a girlfriend, which knowing them should be like never.
Amber is the new kid on the block. A weirdo or just interesting? Either way she has an eye for risks and mischief, and Siggy is so desparate to become boyfriend/girlfriend that he will do anything. Even if it may blow them up!
Siggy, Fergus and Amber need to overcome obstacles, find the right people who know stuff, risk military trespassing penalties, and solve the riddle as to how old Henderson died, was it suicide or something else?
I loved the characters. All of them: the kids circle, the info recruits, the parents, the stickler for the rules, everyone.
The plot was excellent: straight forward and with twists. Solve the mystery.
There were some good life lessons. Especially about putting your foot down rather than appeasing others, and not just ditching people, but taking responsibility and working through things.
The ending, hmmm, it was ok. This is where I deducted a star. The set up was there, the narrowing down of the investigation was great. All that was left hanging was an explanation of the how. But overall, it was a most enjoyable read.
Coincidentally, the day after I finished this book, I also went into a military zone and heard about the terminologies used such as UXO’s (unexploded ordnances). Oh you want to know what I was doing there? Sure, I’ll tell you….I’m volunteering with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program for 9 days in a military area. Before you worry about exploding devils, don’t worry, they’re perfectly fine and well outside the high danger zone. I think that’s a pretty weird/interesting coincidence.
August 23, 2018
'A boy. A girl. A ghostly puzzle'. 14 year olds Siggy and Amber become boyfriend and girlfriend, mapping uncharted water together with unlikely help from Ziggy's older sister Helena and his best friend, Fergus, who is very Scottish. Wry and amusing, a gentle story that will suit preteens and young teens. Those who enjoy this might also enjoy 'The Khaki Kid' by Robert Newton; '6 impossible things' by Fiona Wood; and 'Looking for Alibrandi' by Melina Marchetta.
April 29, 2014
Lots of fun to be had in this book. I had tears of laughter about a kitchen utensil and was oddly sad about finishing this book and saying good bye to the characters. The most enjoyable elements were the warm and very witty Siggy who has an admirable determination, the dynamics between different members of a family and the discussions around a dinner table .
March 12, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I fell in love with he characters and simply didn't want it to end. Siggy and Amber sees Doug Macleod in fine form, with entertaining, smart writing, engaging not just the younger readers, making us laugh, wince, think and ultimately feel good.
May 29, 2011
I absolutely connect with DOug MacLeod's understated humour. I giggled and chuckled aloud all day. People stared at me. I did not care. I love this book.
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June 29, 2011ilove it 10 out of 10 for sure ;)
May 12, 2013
This was good, it felt like junior rather than YA though.
Read
February 9, 2016listened to audio copy, lovely story nice male character, funny!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews