The Double Life of Ted Amos

by Simon James Green

 



A heart-warming and hilarious story about one boy who wants to fit in, the friends he meets along the way, and one NASTY BLOUSE...

Ted has always wanted to be a popular kid, but due to an embarrassing incident that will not be named, he finds it harder than ever to fit in. But when Ted's parents split up, his whole life changes. Although leaving his best friend Archie behind sucks, Ted is about to discover that staying with his dad might have its perks. Because with a new start, is the chance to re-invent yourself... that's right, Ted has the opportunity to choose his new identity and it's going to be FRESH.

But can Ted keep up the cool-kid charade, or will his lies catch up with him? 

An approachable and funny take on the common experience of children navigating what it means to have divorced parents and have two homes Authored by acclaimed children's and YA-and Carnegie-nominated Simon James Green, whose middle-grade book Finn Jones Was Here became Indie Book of the Month With fantastic illustrations throughout from Jennifer Jamieson that bring the heart and humour to life

Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary

336 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2024

About the author

Simon James Green grew up in a small town in Lincolnshire that definitely wasn’t the inspiration for Little Fobbing – so no-one from there can be mad with him, OK? He enjoyed a classic British education of assorted humiliations and barbaric PE lessons before reading Law at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he further embarrassed himself by accidentally joining the rowing team despite having no upper body strength and not being able swim. When it turned out that being a lawyer was nothing like how it looks in Suits or The Good Wife, and buoyed by the success of his late night comedy show that involved an inflatable sheep, he travelled to London to pursue a glamorous career in show business. Within weeks he was working in a call centre, had been mugged, and had racked up thousands of pounds worth of debt. Finding strength and inspiration in the lyrics of "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba, he eventually ended up working on a range of West End shows and UK tours, co-wrote a feature-length rom-com for the BBC and directed Hollyoaks for C4 / Lime Pictures. After trying really, really hard, he also managed to write Noah Can’t Even. If you are interested in stalking him, he still lives in London, where he spends a lot of time telling people that Noah Can’t Even is only partly autobiographical, and his mum has definitely never done a Beyoncé tribute act.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this made me proper have to choke back the tears. Getting to be ourselves, truly ourselves, is a total privilege; we don’t need to know it right away. Ted learns the hard way that lies only breed more lies. This is full of heart and charm.

[Rich Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I felt this story started a bit slower than some of Green's other books, it was still an amazing read. He has a way of saying truths that kids and young people need someone to say. He helps them realize that they don't need to be someone else; that who they are is enough. Great book!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

an okay read. the scenarios that did occur were quite unrealistic. the TV crew, the entire heart to heart with the group. it may just be me. it's worth the read. decent entertainment for a day or two.

[MISS RACHEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Amos is having a tough time at school – he struggles to fit in and is bullied by (what at least feels like) most of his year. It often feels like only his best friend Archie really understands him – and vice versa. Then Edward’s parents split up and as he goes to stay with his dad, he suddenly realises this is his chance to reinvent himself. Enter Ted! Ted is everything that Edward isn’t – he’s cool, he’s funny, he’s popular…but it’s all based on lies, and before long these start to catch up with him.

The message of the story is clear: true friends will like you for who you really are; being dishonest with others, and with yourself, will only lead to trouble. As Ted’s story unravels, we see behind the masks that so many of his friends are also wearing. Being proud of who you are is an important message for children to hear, and it’s shouted from the rooftops in this sweet and funny book!

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of this author’s books for age 9+, they all are full of heart, friendship, humour, queer representation and real middle grade issues. This is another one that could do well as a read aloud.

[Bruce Bogtrotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can undeniably say this is one of my favourite books ever.

It is a comedy book about a boy who reinvents himself into a more popular, radical character, which is a concept considered by so many desperate people who’s school - or just general social - lives are in an unpleasant, really sad state!

This on its own introduces how this book fits in adult themes, as well as Archie’s parents being as bad as they are, Caesar’s dad being who he is (not stating what happens cos of spoilers) and the raw emotion that is passed through the many metaphors throughout this piece of writing.

Metaphors that is silent yet shouting at us the whole way, and I love how Simon James Green portrays that message; that everyone should be exactly who they are, and they should be allowed to search for who that may be too. There are certain scripts and quotes in The Double Life of Ted Amos that I find so emotional and meaningful that I am sometimes tempted to read it to my family. In school, we have to do a mind-map on the book we chosen - for me, or coarse, this one - and I wanted to put a quote or two like:

“It’s not too late. To stop the hate. And sing loud. Because I’m proud. To be… me.”

Or:

“You don’t need all the answers. It’s normal to be working it all out. I’m not perfect. And nor are you. But you know what? That’s ok. We’re all a little Ted Amos sometimes.”

I can’t have a big monologue, although I’d want to, because it’s a fun poster, not analytical work or anything, and it’ll become too complicated. The reason I’m saying this is because there is so much writing in this work that I love, and it all was SO UPLIFTING to me because I truly feel empathy for this boy, I left the library with such a good feeling, which I haven’t had for a book in a very long time.

Thank you, Simon James Green, for making this Bible-of-a-book, because it is one that I will remember as one of my FAVOURITES for a very long time.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually this author’s books will have some fairly predictable content: a super awkward teen boy MC, queer rep, all the British phrasing, and everything is funny while also giving you some sort of lesson. This time not all the pieces were there, because the humour is just not up to snuff. I feel like it tried to be funny, but it’s not as stomach ache rolling around laughing inducing than his other books. The messaging is there, and the queer representation is too, but this one didn’t make me laugh (though the miscommunication was pretty great). And I know, I am way older than the target audience, but that didn’t stop me with Life Of Riley: Beginner's Luck I think because the whole story is based on lies, it just wasn’t amusing when Ted made up something new to cover himself, because he was so far in the bad decision territory it could no longer be seen as quaint or cute. Don’t get me wrong, kids will still love this, but it was a bit of an overused plotline. It was like a Disney channel movie, but queer. Even had the musical number.

[Shaun Winford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside of us, there's always a bit of Ted Amos. Not liking who we are perceived to be. Still figuring out who we actually are. Coming up with the right mix of the new us and the old us, and wondering what our identity is. There are many wonderful messages embedded in this story, and it's very well told. I must admit I didn't really enjoy the first 1/3 because I'm too familiar with the typical Simon James Green formula, but this message is refreshing and impactful, and only Simon James Green can make this perfect blend of a funny, whimsical, action packed story with so much insight on adolescent growth.

[Ernesto Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

So this is a story about Edward or is it Ted? Either way he gets himself in a lot of trouble for all his lies. But in the end friendship wins out in many ways. Bravo!

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 4 out of 5]

SJG does it again! His books are so charming, funny, and have great messages ... infinitely superior to that bloody Walliams fellow!

[Connor's Library Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute but emotionally powerful read about the difficulties of being your authentic self and how easy it is to hide behind a mask

[Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

God this was bloody cute