Bigg School: Double Drama

by Lisa Williamson, Jess Bradley (Illustrator)

Life isn’t easy for Daniel Littleton. His mum always seems to be ill, his dad is always working and his little twin sisters drive him up the wall! At school, Daniel feels like he’s the only kid in his friendship group without the latest trainers or model of X-Box. Worse of all, his mates are starting to notice. So when he gets the main part in the school play, he is thrilled. But it isn't long before his life is conflicted by home and school life, and he must make some hard decisions if he's to follow his heart...

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2024

About the author

Lisa was born in Nottingham in 1980. She spent most of her childhood drawing, daydreaming and making up stories in her head (but never getting round to writing them down). As a teenager she was bitten by the acting bug and at 19 moved to London to study drama at university.

Following graduation, Lisa adopted the stage name of Lisa Cassidy and spent several happy and chaotic years occasionally getting paid to pretend to be other people. Between acting roles she worked as an office temp and started making up stories all over again, only this time she had a go at writing them down.

Lisa lives in London, where she is lucky enough to split her time between writing and acting. In her spare time she reads a lot of books, continues to daydream and eats way too much ice cream.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Bigg School:Double Drama, by Lisa Williamson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Daniel Littleton gets the main part in his school play, he has a lot of emotions about it though. Daniel has to watch his twin siblings, and does not have time for a normal life. Daniels parents are not always as supportive as they can be. I enjoyed this read, it had a lot of big emotions in it. Daniel is a great kid.

[BookBairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of navigating the high school social hierarchy, peer pressure, bullying (and bullying done by so-called friends), and friendships. It’s a story about being a young carer, about the pressures of having responsibilities at a young age and about having to grow up when you’re still young.

This book is tender hearted and funny: it’s not all weighty subjects which is an incredibly feat from the writer. I have no doubt that Daniel’s story will resonate with many and in some ways it reminded me of The Final Year in that it is a perfect window into the experiences of a child whose life is harder than it could/should be.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who wouldn't fancy being someone else when their mother is long-term ill, dad is a tightwad and a grouch, the twin sisters are annoying, and an accident has put paid to the X-Box? Daniel is a daydreamer of something a bit better than his current life. But when he gets a chance to be someone else – ie a role in the big school musical – why, admitting this is the last thing he wants to do in front of his mates. Perhaps it is a good thing it's a show about wanting to be someone and somewhere else – it's "The Wizard of Oz" – but for now Dan is determined to keep his mates in the dark about his new role…

This was a surprise to me – to have The Token School Show story of the franchise so early in the series, when most runs of books have it about Book Four or Five, when fresher ideas have been exhausted. But then, the author has a performing background, and it also surprised me in other ways – in being inventive, surprising, and differently-pitched to how I would have predicted. Dad is allowed to be a horrid character due to his understandable stress, the kids at school Dan lies to are allowed to be really bad friends – the fact is, by the time Dan has said and not said several things he's not too likeable, either, but the telling of this is never too unsubtle and blunt, and things do manage to sustain our empathy and sympathy for him, however selfish and needy and lying he manages to be.

As such it's a quick read containing much conflict and realistic argument, as opposed to the bickering for bickering sake other authors can saddle us with. Dan's dilemma is nicely evoked, all told. It is a woke telling of all this – a minor character has two mothers, and of course Dorothy is a girl in a wheelchair. But principally it is to show split loyalties in a world where kids want the latest this, that, the other – whether it be freshest new game or hippest new friend. These overly-aware, too-judgemental kids are very realistic, and Dan finding his path through their minefield certainly makes for a four star read.

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Guppy Books and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I think a lot of kids, parents and teachers who read this story, will relate to it. This story felt so real and I went through a roller coaster of emotions while reading it. And I could not stop reading!! I have 0 negative remarks, this was great from start to finish. The fun cover did make me think this would be a less intense and more shallow/fun read but that only made me appreciate the story even more. Don’t get me wrong, there are fun parts too but also so much more than that.

Daniel or Dan, is finding himself throughout this story. He is struggling with having less means and more responsibilities than most of his friends. His mom is ill (I loved how her illness was explained and that we got to “see” her good days too), his dad is grumpy and his little twin sisters are annoying.

Dan is frustrated because of all that and he doesn’t have the right friends, doesn’t understand his dad and is soon about to explode emotionally but then there’s this amazing teacher, really talking with his dad and finding and embracing a hobby he’s passionate about and new amazing friends.

I related, I felt frustrated, I felt shocked and I laughed and cried while reading this and I’m so happy with the way it ended. Don’t hesitate picking this book up, you will not regret it for a second.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really excited about Lisa Williamson's new series and her work in general.

What I think will resonate most for many children (and adults) reading this book is just how excruciating the process of trying to 'keep up' with the popular or more well-off kids is. Main character Daniel is different to many children his age, not only because he can't afford to replace his broken X-box or eat fast food every day with his friends, but more importantly because of his home responsibilities.

But Dan does find a source of light in this story -- something just for himself amid the many things he feels like he has to do to please others: theatre. I won't reveal any further, but what I can say is that Dan grows so much throughout this story. I felt like I wanted to give him a massive bear hug by the end of it.

As an adult, I also appreciated how Williamson describes the adults in Daniel's life. I loved how the teachers never spoke down to Daniel, and how their work truly was to guide him on his journey. I also loved the honest portrayal of parenthood and how parents are only human too.

A massive thank you to Guppy Books, Lisa Williamson and NetGalley for giving me the chance to review this book.

[Vonprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, empathy-inducing contemporary middle grade novel. You can read my full review here: #MG Review: Bigg School 2 – Double Drama by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley The second book in the Bigg School series, Double Drama, moves across the tutor group desks from Book 1 (reviewed here – Best Friends Forever) to … http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....

[Camilla Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this funny, quirky, lively and honest MG series that follows a cast of characters new to High School.

I loved Daniel and really felt for his need to hide his reality from fake friends.

Wonderful book.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about fitting in and finding yourself. The scenarios and the characters all seem very realistic. It is a story that a lot of children will connect with.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to "Best Friends Forever"

It was interesting to read from a boy character's point of view, in a book series that is generally aimed at girls.

Daniel is a good character who learns from his mistakes and learns that his so-called friends are idiots (and makes a new friend in the process, whilst pursuing his passion: musicals)

Lola and Astrid from the first book appear throughout this one.

One thing that bothered me slightly was the amount of product placement in this book. I also feel like it was trying too hard to be "on trend"

Even though I liked this book, I much prefer the first one.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, a lot more than I was expecting too! I read the first book and liked it, but I really really enjoyed this one, and it’s 3.75 stars. I found Daniel’s situation really interesting and I’d never read a character with Chronic Fatigue Disorder (which is what Daniel’s mum suffers from). I love theatre, so of course I was going to like a plot line centred around that. The friendship dynamics and relationships in this book are relatable and interesting. The only real complaint I have for this book is that I would have loved it if it was longer (but in a way it was a good length).
I would really recommend this series if you like Lottie Brooks, or Harper Drew (also read those if you liked this too).

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Portrayal of the main character as a young carer is a little bit heartbreaking