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The Astounding Broccoli Boy
Rory Rooney likes to be prepared for all eventualities. His favourite book is Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared, and he has memorized every page of it. He could even survive a hippo attack. He knows that just because something is unlikely doesn't mean it won't ever happen . . .
But Rory isn't prepared when he suddenly and inexplicably turns green.
Stuck in an isolation ward in a hospital far from home with two other remarkably green children, Rory's as confused by his new condition as the medics seem to be.
But what if it's not in their genes, or a virus, or something they ate? What if turning green actually means you've turned into a superhero?
Rory can't wait to make it past hospital security and discover exactly what his superpower might be . . ."
But Rory isn't prepared when he suddenly and inexplicably turns green.
Stuck in an isolation ward in a hospital far from home with two other remarkably green children, Rory's as confused by his new condition as the medics seem to be.
But what if it's not in their genes, or a virus, or something they ate? What if turning green actually means you've turned into a superhero?
Rory can't wait to make it past hospital security and discover exactly what his superpower might be . . ."
384 pages, Hardcover
First published March 23, 2015
104 people are currently reading
919 people want to read
About the author
Frank Cottrell Boyce
77 books263 followersFrank Cottrell Boyce is a British screenwriter, novelist and occasional actor.
In addition to original scripts, Cottrell Boyce has also adapted novels for the screen and written children's fiction, winning the 2004 Carnegie Medal for his debut, Millions, based on his own screenplay for the film of the same name.
His novel Framed was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year as well as the Carnegie Medal.
He adapted the novel into a screenplay for a 2009 BBC television film. His 2009 novel Cosmic has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
He is married and the father of seven children.
In addition to original scripts, Cottrell Boyce has also adapted novels for the screen and written children's fiction, winning the 2004 Carnegie Medal for his debut, Millions, based on his own screenplay for the film of the same name.
His novel Framed was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year as well as the Carnegie Medal.
He adapted the novel into a screenplay for a 2009 BBC television film. His 2009 novel Cosmic has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
He is married and the father of seven children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
February 6, 2017
**Interview with my 5 and 7 year old kids**
Me: What did you think of this book?
5: Every single bit - awesome.
7: Same what Molly said.
Me: Who was your favourite character and why?
7: I liked the bully guy because he was big and tough.
5: I like the girl that have a green face.
Me: What was your favourite bit?
5: When they hid the penguin in their room.
7: I liked the bit when they thought the gorilla was a big hairy person locked in a cage but it was really a gorilla.
Me: If your skin changed colour, what colour would you like it to be?
5: Pink.
7: I would choose red, blue, black and white like spiderman.
Me: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
7: Shooting webs from my hands.
5: Invisible.
Me: What did you think of this book?
5: Every single bit - awesome.
7: Same what Molly said.
Me: Who was your favourite character and why?
7: I liked the bully guy because he was big and tough.
5: I like the girl that have a green face.
Me: What was your favourite bit?
5: When they hid the penguin in their room.
7: I liked the bit when they thought the gorilla was a big hairy person locked in a cage but it was really a gorilla.
Me: If your skin changed colour, what colour would you like it to be?
5: Pink.
7: I would choose red, blue, black and white like spiderman.
Me: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
7: Shooting webs from my hands.
5: Invisible.
January 10, 2016
Don your cape and soar into this smart, well-written book that parodies and deconstructs the superhero trope. While some will think it a blast to read, others will want it Gamma Bombed. It's silly, cartoonish, and a bit like watching the "Laurel and Hardy" TV show - two people acting stupid over and over and over again - only these two are fifth graders, Rory Rooney and his nemesis, Grim (aka Tommy-Lee). But beneath the humor are layers of deeper themes as Rory learns to deal with bullying, friendship, and self-confidence while being surrounded by inept adults. Plenty of archetypes and wackiness. Rocket launch your realistic side to Mars and have fun with this one.
Rory is being bullied by Grim and his minions at school. After he is pushed into a river on a field trip he emerges from it with skin the color of broccoli. He finds himself as a medical subject study along with another "green boy" who happens to be Grim (aka Tommy-Lee). Rory decides he and Grim have superpowers because of the abundance of green superheroes in comics: Hulk, The Swamp Thing, The Green Hornet, Green Goblin -who isn't a hero but villain, but hey, this plot is not only about heroes but villains too. Going from powerless to "super" he thinks that he can slightly teleport and his brain operates at 200% while Grim can break any security code while sleepwalking. Rory feels empowered by his physical change and convinces Grim that they can work for Good. He stops calling him Grim in his first step toward a bully-free life.
While Rory declares the two will use their superpowers for Good, he's not sure Tommy-Lee knows the definition of good. His fears are realized as their powers plunge the city into chaos as they sneak out at night from the hospital where they are imprisoned test subjects and pull pranks. As Rory has a hey-ho time with his escapades, he starts to waffle toward thinking of the duo as villains. Tommy-Lee thinks they are doing good so he wants to rob a bank. Yes, his definition is a bit messed but he's so dumb he thinks a night club is a bank and their robbery is quite creative. The author ka-pows! with plot twists. Next adventure has Tommy-Lee sleepwalking and the two getting into some shenanigans at the London Zoo. Last adventure they meet a green girl who changes the dynamic of their relationship. One adventure after another leads to green pickled messes that make for a terrific and unpredictable plot.
The author pays tribute to comic book superheroes while poking fun at it too. ""But there's more than one kind of hero. There are heroes with shocking great muscles who can stop a speeding train with their bare hands... But there are also skinny little heroes who destroy big bullies using only their superior intelligence and cunning." This is where Frank Cottrell Boyce deconstructs the superhero trope. Comics have suffered historically as being male-dominated with stereotyped women and men of muscle. Here the hero comes in the form of the puniest kid in the grade, a bully that hides his fears, and a girl that wants to run the world. The shifting between the characters between being good and bad makes them more real and interesting as the story progresses.
The character development focuses mainly on Rory and Tommy-Lee, but the archetypes are funny as well. The nurse watching over them eats different kinds of chocolate every night as she watches them in what Rory calls, "The Fish Tank." They are locked in a glass room with Nurse Rock (as they call her) just outside. "What kind of person can't settle on a favorite type of chocolate? A 100 percent untrustworthy kind of person, that's what." After the two break out at night and explore London, the nurse can smell chocolate on Rory that they'd been eating. Rory calls her a bloodhound.
Tommy-Lee has anger management issues. His parents don't visit him. Nor do Rory's. Or so it seems. Another pretzel in the plot for you to eat up. The trio use a window washing cage instead of the elevator because "superheroes do not use the lift." Again, the poking fun at superhero tropes makes this fun. The three green children decide that if everyone in the world was green there would be no people fighting over who thinks they are better than others. Yep, I'm for team green.
Rory's character arc shows him learning what a real hero means and that it is the same as being a good friend that knows when to do the right thing. When Tommy-Lee gets in a tight spot, Rory has to decide whether or not he will help him or walk away. All three have weaknesses and strengths that they face throughout the plot and it gives them more depth of character.
Everyone reacts in the wrong way to Rory from students to adults. It is so absurd that I couldn't help laughing. It was constant and reminded me of the book, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. Although that one is nonstop gags on fairy tales not superheroes. From the nurse checking in Rory at the hospital, to his hypochondriac mother and odd family, to the boys coming up with superhero names, be ready to laugh. This book pokes fun at nurses, doctors, parents, politicians, etc. The nurse grabs Rory's hand and says she needs blood. "This won't hurt," She said, grabbing my thumb and jabbing it with a needle. She squeezed blood out into a test tube. It really, really hurt. "I lie" - she smiled - "a lot. But always for your own good." How often have you heard that at the doctor's office? Everyone is convinced, including Rory's parents that he turned green on purpose. When he is bullied, it is his fault. He's blamed for everything and anything to such an extreme it adds to the absurd comedy.
Humor is not easy to pull off. When it falls flat, it splats. The author mixes comedy and realism with great word choices that kept me flipping the pages. He describes Tommy-Lee's sleepwalking, "Then he gave a snore that sounded like a tiger gargling treacle. Then he rolled over. Plonked his feet on the floor. Stood up and started to do the Spooky Playmobil. I followed him..." Did I mention that the city is under high alert from a Killer Kittens virus plague? Silliness blasts off from the get-go.
When Rory and Tommy-Lee meet Koko Kwok, things get interesting. When I was growing up comics were male-dominated with dippy women in them. Now there is more diversity and women can be their own superheroes. Once Koko enters the plot it shows that she's the brains of the "Laurel & Hardy" show and Tommy-Lee does whatever she asks and never bullies her. She develops a catchphrase for them, "Green is for Go!" The trio even picks-up a couple of penguins on their adventures in a nod to Batman comics. Enjoy this one. Super astounding.
Rory is being bullied by Grim and his minions at school. After he is pushed into a river on a field trip he emerges from it with skin the color of broccoli. He finds himself as a medical subject study along with another "green boy" who happens to be Grim (aka Tommy-Lee). Rory decides he and Grim have superpowers because of the abundance of green superheroes in comics: Hulk, The Swamp Thing, The Green Hornet, Green Goblin -who isn't a hero but villain, but hey, this plot is not only about heroes but villains too. Going from powerless to "super" he thinks that he can slightly teleport and his brain operates at 200% while Grim can break any security code while sleepwalking. Rory feels empowered by his physical change and convinces Grim that they can work for Good. He stops calling him Grim in his first step toward a bully-free life.
While Rory declares the two will use their superpowers for Good, he's not sure Tommy-Lee knows the definition of good. His fears are realized as their powers plunge the city into chaos as they sneak out at night from the hospital where they are imprisoned test subjects and pull pranks. As Rory has a hey-ho time with his escapades, he starts to waffle toward thinking of the duo as villains. Tommy-Lee thinks they are doing good so he wants to rob a bank. Yes, his definition is a bit messed but he's so dumb he thinks a night club is a bank and their robbery is quite creative. The author ka-pows! with plot twists. Next adventure has Tommy-Lee sleepwalking and the two getting into some shenanigans at the London Zoo. Last adventure they meet a green girl who changes the dynamic of their relationship. One adventure after another leads to green pickled messes that make for a terrific and unpredictable plot.
The author pays tribute to comic book superheroes while poking fun at it too. ""But there's more than one kind of hero. There are heroes with shocking great muscles who can stop a speeding train with their bare hands... But there are also skinny little heroes who destroy big bullies using only their superior intelligence and cunning." This is where Frank Cottrell Boyce deconstructs the superhero trope. Comics have suffered historically as being male-dominated with stereotyped women and men of muscle. Here the hero comes in the form of the puniest kid in the grade, a bully that hides his fears, and a girl that wants to run the world. The shifting between the characters between being good and bad makes them more real and interesting as the story progresses.
The character development focuses mainly on Rory and Tommy-Lee, but the archetypes are funny as well. The nurse watching over them eats different kinds of chocolate every night as she watches them in what Rory calls, "The Fish Tank." They are locked in a glass room with Nurse Rock (as they call her) just outside. "What kind of person can't settle on a favorite type of chocolate? A 100 percent untrustworthy kind of person, that's what." After the two break out at night and explore London, the nurse can smell chocolate on Rory that they'd been eating. Rory calls her a bloodhound.
Tommy-Lee has anger management issues. His parents don't visit him. Nor do Rory's. Or so it seems. Another pretzel in the plot for you to eat up. The trio use a window washing cage instead of the elevator because "superheroes do not use the lift." Again, the poking fun at superhero tropes makes this fun. The three green children decide that if everyone in the world was green there would be no people fighting over who thinks they are better than others. Yep, I'm for team green.
Rory's character arc shows him learning what a real hero means and that it is the same as being a good friend that knows when to do the right thing. When Tommy-Lee gets in a tight spot, Rory has to decide whether or not he will help him or walk away. All three have weaknesses and strengths that they face throughout the plot and it gives them more depth of character.
Everyone reacts in the wrong way to Rory from students to adults. It is so absurd that I couldn't help laughing. It was constant and reminded me of the book, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. Although that one is nonstop gags on fairy tales not superheroes. From the nurse checking in Rory at the hospital, to his hypochondriac mother and odd family, to the boys coming up with superhero names, be ready to laugh. This book pokes fun at nurses, doctors, parents, politicians, etc. The nurse grabs Rory's hand and says she needs blood. "This won't hurt," She said, grabbing my thumb and jabbing it with a needle. She squeezed blood out into a test tube. It really, really hurt. "I lie" - she smiled - "a lot. But always for your own good." How often have you heard that at the doctor's office? Everyone is convinced, including Rory's parents that he turned green on purpose. When he is bullied, it is his fault. He's blamed for everything and anything to such an extreme it adds to the absurd comedy.
Humor is not easy to pull off. When it falls flat, it splats. The author mixes comedy and realism with great word choices that kept me flipping the pages. He describes Tommy-Lee's sleepwalking, "Then he gave a snore that sounded like a tiger gargling treacle. Then he rolled over. Plonked his feet on the floor. Stood up and started to do the Spooky Playmobil. I followed him..." Did I mention that the city is under high alert from a Killer Kittens virus plague? Silliness blasts off from the get-go.
When Rory and Tommy-Lee meet Koko Kwok, things get interesting. When I was growing up comics were male-dominated with dippy women in them. Now there is more diversity and women can be their own superheroes. Once Koko enters the plot it shows that she's the brains of the "Laurel & Hardy" show and Tommy-Lee does whatever she asks and never bullies her. She develops a catchphrase for them, "Green is for Go!" The trio even picks-up a couple of penguins on their adventures in a nod to Batman comics. Enjoy this one. Super astounding.
August 28, 2015
i really liked how Rorry and Tommy became friends because at the start Tommy was a bully to Rorry and at the end they are really good friends i think Kokow Kwock was very bossy and i really liked Peter i would read it again and i think a lot of peolpe should read it i love when they get trapped in the frezzer
August 28, 2015
At first it is a bit boring but then it gets in action awesome author great job
June 25, 2021
حس میکنم این رو از روبات خرابکار دوستتر داشتم.
یکی دو صفحهی آخر هر دو کتاب رو نویسنده به این اختصاص داده بود که یه چیزایی بگه درمورد اینکه چهطور ایدهی نوشتن این کتاب به ذهنش رسیده و...
به نظرم خیلی حرکت جالبیه. من تقریبا همیشه کنجکاوم که بدونم چی شد که طرف به این فکر افتاد که همچین داستانی رو بنویسه.
یکی دو صفحهی آخر هر دو کتاب رو نویسنده به این اختصاص داده بود که یه چیزایی بگه درمورد اینکه چهطور ایدهی نوشتن این کتاب به ذهنش رسیده و...
به نظرم خیلی حرکت جالبیه. من تقریبا همیشه کنجکاوم که بدونم چی شد که طرف به این فکر افتاد که همچین داستانی رو بنویسه.
September 24, 2016
Cartea asta a fost intr-atat de aiurita, ca nici nu pot descrie in cuvinte cat de aiurita a fost.
Dar am um incercat sa privesc actiunea prin ochii unui adult, nu a unui adult in devenire ai asa am descoperit ca ar fi fost chiar destul de tare.
Cartea poate arata ce poate face omul cand este sub efectul unui puternic efect placebo. De asemenea mi s-au parut ingenioase toate acele legaturi care s-au creat la sfarsitul cartii.
Am iubit toate acele zeci de referiri la supereroi. Nu cred ca a existat un capitol fara macar sa apara numele lui Hulk, Batman, a celor Patru Fantastici, Superman sau Spiderman. Cu toate ca vreo doua informatii au fost eronate, ceea ce mi-a displacut profund.
In concluzie, cartea mi s-a parut destul de faina, daca excluzi puerilitatea romanului sau daca esti fan al supereroilor.
Dar am um incercat sa privesc actiunea prin ochii unui adult, nu a unui adult in devenire ai asa am descoperit ca ar fi fost chiar destul de tare.
Cartea poate arata ce poate face omul cand este sub efectul unui puternic efect placebo. De asemenea mi s-au parut ingenioase toate acele legaturi care s-au creat la sfarsitul cartii.
Am iubit toate acele zeci de referiri la supereroi. Nu cred ca a existat un capitol fara macar sa apara numele lui Hulk, Batman, a celor Patru Fantastici, Superman sau Spiderman. Cu toate ca vreo doua informatii au fost eronate, ceea ce mi-a displacut profund.
In concluzie, cartea mi s-a parut destul de faina, daca excluzi puerilitatea romanului sau daca esti fan al supereroilor.
June 12, 2025
It was an interesting book about superheroes, friendship and finding your place in the world.
November 21, 2015
Already a huge fan of Frank Cottrell Boyce, this is his latest one and although the title might not sound immediately engaging, the story is. It tells the story of Rory Rooney, a young teen who is an outside in his school. On a school trip, he is made to feel even more isolated when he suddenly finds himself having turned green. Worse, Tommy-Lee, the boy who has relentlessly been bullying since he started school also turns green and Rory finds himself stuck in the same ward with the one person he fears above all others. Yet it is the commonality, this connection, that brings both boys together.
Although there is plenty to read in relation to bullying at school here, this is not really the author's main aim or, at least, he deals with it in a light manner. Like the best comedians, Cottrell Boyce has a real gift for seeing humour in the way people act and what they say. He is an observer of human interaction and he brings these observations with great humour to this book. I have always liked how there are quite serious messages in his books (in this it is about diversity and race as well as bullying) yet he is able to place it all within a wry and often laugh-out-loud bubble. Not many writers EVER make me laugh out loud and non for children...except Frank.
This would be a perfect book to read to KS2, especially Year 4/5 and the dialogue between the different characters are delicious and witty and yet there is so much to discuss in relation to tolerance and respect for differences.
Although there is plenty to read in relation to bullying at school here, this is not really the author's main aim or, at least, he deals with it in a light manner. Like the best comedians, Cottrell Boyce has a real gift for seeing humour in the way people act and what they say. He is an observer of human interaction and he brings these observations with great humour to this book. I have always liked how there are quite serious messages in his books (in this it is about diversity and race as well as bullying) yet he is able to place it all within a wry and often laugh-out-loud bubble. Not many writers EVER make me laugh out loud and non for children...except Frank.
This would be a perfect book to read to KS2, especially Year 4/5 and the dialogue between the different characters are delicious and witty and yet there is so much to discuss in relation to tolerance and respect for differences.
July 23, 2016
A cute, British version of the popular "ordinary kids become maybe kind of super heroes" story. There's some pretty funny writing, and I ADORE all the penguin scenes, but overall it read a little young and juvenile for my tastes. Great for upper elementary students.
November 8, 2020
This book was recommended to me by a boy in my Year 6 class. I am familiar with Frank Cottrell Boyce as an author but have never actually read any of their books.
I really enjoyed this - it made me laugh and even though it is a children's book, there were enough surprises and very little predictability which kept me entertained and wanting to come back for more.
I really enjoyed this - it made me laugh and even though it is a children's book, there were enough surprises and very little predictability which kept me entertained and wanting to come back for more.
Read
June 24, 2019It is a really good book that mixes realism and fantasy really well. It does get confusing at some points in the book but gets explained after. I would recommend this book for people that likes funny books that have a sense of realism in them.
February 10, 2025
A bully and his victim are thrown together when both turn bright green and develop superpowers.
A joyful romp. Boyce talks about childhood fears and dramas in such a way that they feel real and meaningful.
A joyful romp. Boyce talks about childhood fears and dramas in such a way that they feel real and meaningful.
June 5, 2019
This book, for all its supposed adventures, is actually quite boring. The protagonist turns green and walks the streets at night. That's it. Far from outstanding, it was rather disappointing.
July 23, 2015
Killer Kittens, A Wagon Wheel and Superheroes.
It’s finally out! As a big Frank Cottrell Boyce fan, I’ve been bursting with excitement to get my hands on The Astounding Broccoli Boy, and wondered what the multi-award winning author of Cosmic, Millions and The Unforgotten Coat could possibly have in store for us this time.
So, did it live up to my expectations?
Well ok, I’m biased, but I’m pleased to say that once again The Master of comedy has created a fresh, hugely funny, and heartwarming story set in the real world, which sparkles with hilarious characters and ridiculous situations. It’s a genuine laugh-out-loud book (how rare is that?), and some of the scenes (I’ll call them The Bank, and Gorilla) had me crying tears of laughter, and left me chuckling about them for hours afterwards.
The finest aspect to this book is the relationship between Rory and his bully “Grim”, and how the trauma of being green brings them together. For me Grim/ Tommy-Lee Komissky is the real star of the book: a properly three dimensional bully boy, and Rory’s opposite, who endears himself to us as readers. We care as much about him as we do about Rory; and his performance as a comic book villain is just superbly portrayed*.
As in his previous books, Frank Cottrell Boyce’s dialogue is timed to perfection -hardly surprising after all those years of screen writing. His witty asides are so neatly tucked in that you almost miss them. But then they hit you like a custard pie in the face, and you’re left giggling from page to page.
There is a fine balance between the real world setting: You Tube clips, Facebook and Twitter, and surreal events: the Killer Kittens epidemic, boys turning green and brainy penguins. And it has a thoroughly British feel being set in London, complete with The Shard, bin men and nightclubs.
At the heart of this book is the theme of fear and anxiety, whether we’re being intimidated by the school bully, stockpiling spam and loo roll for a Killer Kittens outbreak, or standing face to face with a hippo. When Rory turns green he scares anyone who looks at him, and Rory’s trauma from being “different” will resonate with young readers.
At the end of the book Frank claims that Broccoli Boy was inspired by a medieval story about two green children, as well as a health condition which causes him to turn yellow. As I was reading the parts of the story about Rory being observed in hospital, I reflected on how this is the only book I’ve ever read that has accurately captured the feeling of what it is really like to be in hospital as a child-that sense of strangeness and vulnerability, mixed with the annoyance of not being able to eat your usual food, and do your usual tasks. Really perceptive, sensitive stuff, all wrapped up with a lot of silliness (you just know he writes for the laughs).
The final verdict?
Make no mistake: this is a real treat to savour. So, put your life on hold, grab your favourite chocolate bar (look out for the funny line about that), and bunker down in your own Fortress of Solitude.
Once you’ve escaped to Planet F-C-B, you’ll be reluctant to come back!
*Psst! Nobody mention leprechauns to Tommy-Lee…
Pippa Wilson
hellopipski.wordpress.com
@hellopipski
It’s finally out! As a big Frank Cottrell Boyce fan, I’ve been bursting with excitement to get my hands on The Astounding Broccoli Boy, and wondered what the multi-award winning author of Cosmic, Millions and The Unforgotten Coat could possibly have in store for us this time.
So, did it live up to my expectations?
Well ok, I’m biased, but I’m pleased to say that once again The Master of comedy has created a fresh, hugely funny, and heartwarming story set in the real world, which sparkles with hilarious characters and ridiculous situations. It’s a genuine laugh-out-loud book (how rare is that?), and some of the scenes (I’ll call them The Bank, and Gorilla) had me crying tears of laughter, and left me chuckling about them for hours afterwards.
The finest aspect to this book is the relationship between Rory and his bully “Grim”, and how the trauma of being green brings them together. For me Grim/ Tommy-Lee Komissky is the real star of the book: a properly three dimensional bully boy, and Rory’s opposite, who endears himself to us as readers. We care as much about him as we do about Rory; and his performance as a comic book villain is just superbly portrayed*.
As in his previous books, Frank Cottrell Boyce’s dialogue is timed to perfection -hardly surprising after all those years of screen writing. His witty asides are so neatly tucked in that you almost miss them. But then they hit you like a custard pie in the face, and you’re left giggling from page to page.
There is a fine balance between the real world setting: You Tube clips, Facebook and Twitter, and surreal events: the Killer Kittens epidemic, boys turning green and brainy penguins. And it has a thoroughly British feel being set in London, complete with The Shard, bin men and nightclubs.
At the heart of this book is the theme of fear and anxiety, whether we’re being intimidated by the school bully, stockpiling spam and loo roll for a Killer Kittens outbreak, or standing face to face with a hippo. When Rory turns green he scares anyone who looks at him, and Rory’s trauma from being “different” will resonate with young readers.
At the end of the book Frank claims that Broccoli Boy was inspired by a medieval story about two green children, as well as a health condition which causes him to turn yellow. As I was reading the parts of the story about Rory being observed in hospital, I reflected on how this is the only book I’ve ever read that has accurately captured the feeling of what it is really like to be in hospital as a child-that sense of strangeness and vulnerability, mixed with the annoyance of not being able to eat your usual food, and do your usual tasks. Really perceptive, sensitive stuff, all wrapped up with a lot of silliness (you just know he writes for the laughs).
The final verdict?
Make no mistake: this is a real treat to savour. So, put your life on hold, grab your favourite chocolate bar (look out for the funny line about that), and bunker down in your own Fortress of Solitude.
Once you’ve escaped to Planet F-C-B, you’ll be reluctant to come back!
*Psst! Nobody mention leprechauns to Tommy-Lee…
Pippa Wilson
hellopipski.wordpress.com
@hellopipski
May 6, 2016
The story: Rory Rooney and his arch-nemesis Tommy-Lee Komissky are suddenly stricken with greenness: now the color of broccoli, they'll have to learn to get along (and discover their secret powers!) to escape their hospital prison. Can Rory really teleport (slightly)? Does Tommy-Lee truly have super map-making and penguin-herding abilities? Can they and green-girl Koko Kwok actually convince the Prime Minister (1) that they're not aliens and (2) that he should take the country in a different direction? Alien, no. Astounding? Maybe!
NYP: August 2015) June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; substance abuse G; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Here's another story with bullying content and clueless parents, but strangely, this one is also truly silly: silly enough that I could hardly sit still through it. A kid reader with a delight in all things random (like some of Roald Dahl's fans) will like this one; others will think it's just too dumb to be real. Guess it takes all kinds. Hand this one to kids who like Boyce's other stories, and they'll probably be fine with it.
NYP: August 2015) June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; substance abuse G; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Here's another story with bullying content and clueless parents, but strangely, this one is also truly silly: silly enough that I could hardly sit still through it. A kid reader with a delight in all things random (like some of Roald Dahl's fans) will like this one; others will think it's just too dumb to be real. Guess it takes all kinds. Hand this one to kids who like Boyce's other stories, and they'll probably be fine with it.
February 7, 2017
Eigentlich wollte ich nach all den Märchen und Jugendbüchern, die ich gerade gelesen habe, endlich mal wieder was "Erwachsenes" lesen.. aber wie hätte ich an einem Buch mit dem Titel "Broccoli Boy" vorbeigehen können?!?! :D
Das Buch richtet sich an ein sehr junges Publikum und so waren einige Witze bei mir etwas verloren. Ich fand, die Geschichte kam etwas langsam in Gang und hat sich auch zum Ende hin gezogen. Aber ich mochte die vielen kleinen Anspielungen an Serien wie Doctor Who oder Superhelden wie Green Lantern & co. Und natürlich die Moral zum Ende der Geschichte gefiel mir gut. Werte wie Freundschaft, Indiviualität und Respekt vor Anderen, das war wirklich gelungen.
Insgesamt ein nettes, lustiges Buch für Kinder und comicbegeisterte Erwachsene .
Das Buch richtet sich an ein sehr junges Publikum und so waren einige Witze bei mir etwas verloren. Ich fand, die Geschichte kam etwas langsam in Gang und hat sich auch zum Ende hin gezogen. Aber ich mochte die vielen kleinen Anspielungen an Serien wie Doctor Who oder Superhelden wie Green Lantern & co. Und natürlich die Moral zum Ende der Geschichte gefiel mir gut. Werte wie Freundschaft, Indiviualität und Respekt vor Anderen, das war wirklich gelungen.
Insgesamt ein nettes, lustiges Buch für Kinder und comicbegeisterte Erwachsene .
August 28, 2015
The Astounding Broccoli Boy was such a great story. Filled with lots of superhero adventure. I really liked how to traditional friend/foe problem was solved by the hero and the antihero becoming friends after so many misadventures together. There was a major editing mistake in my version of the text, where Tommy Lee is referred to being in the Prime Ministers house when he is actually on top of the city on a crane! The ending wash`t as exciting as I had hoped but overall, a very enjoyable read!
PS: I would like to get my hands on a copy of Rory Rooneys mum favourite text 'Don`t Be Scared, Be Prepared' as it seems to have lots of useful information!
PS: I would like to get my hands on a copy of Rory Rooneys mum favourite text 'Don`t Be Scared, Be Prepared' as it seems to have lots of useful information!
February 5, 2017
I really enjoyed the story for several reasons, mainly due to the innovative idea of bringing the problematic issue of bullying, and showing that even in a situation where one is bullying another for no other reason than to be popular, when you see that person for who they are; they realise actually they are a really good person and a friendship can be formed. Not only does Cottrell Boyce capture a focus upon bullying it is also about diversity and race as well. I would definitely read this to year groups 4, 5 and 6 for its humour and the focus of the story. Fantastic read and I shall be definitely looking out for more of Frank Cottrell Boyce's books.
October 24, 2015
I think the real message of this book is that we are all Super in some way. It is a wild and crazy romp with two, then three children who have turned green, as green as broccoli. I would not recommend it as a way to deal with bullies. While the bullying problem does get solved, it doesn't get solved in a way that could be duplicated. I like the fact that the puny guy ends up strong and the big guy is revealed as scared. Fun, funny and astounding adventures. A real page turner.
August 13, 2016
I personally recommend it to everyone.
August 28, 2015
it was fun to read
August 28, 2015
I thought it was AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 15, 2023
Country: United Kingdom
April 26, 2016
It wasn't amazing... it was astounding!
February 21, 2022
Tommy and Rorry😩🖤<3
Read
August 28, 2015IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER HERD IN MY WHOLE LIFE
May 5, 2017
When Rory Rooney’s skin turns green on a field trip he lands in the isolation ward of a hospital in London, where the doctor wants to test and observe him to see if he’s contagious. Rory is shocked to see that the only other person in the ward is Tommy-Lee, his long-time bully. But once Rory realizes that Tommy-Lee can sleepwalk past the locked doors, he discovers his own explanation for the reason the two of them have changed skin tone: they are now superheroes, able to teleport, map out the city, and go into the world to do good. But the world at large is not quite ready to look at their daring actions in quite the same way.
The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce gives voice to the bullied, the bullies, and those who are powerless to make themselves heard. When Rory tries to talk to his parents, his teachers, and his schoolmates about being bullied, they generally ignore him or blame him, and he realizes he’s on his own in dealing with it. Once he turns green Rory can’t even control where he lives or who is allowed to see him. It’s no wonder he gravitates to stories about superheroes, especially those who started out as ordinary humans and gained power through some outside force, aka Spiderman, to fight evil.
Locked up with his nemesis, Rory slowly comes to understand Tommy-Lee and the troubles he faces of his own. And while the two become friends of a sort, Rory is under no delusion that under the right circumstances Tommy-Lee will lash out at him again.
The Astounding Broccoli Boy is a classic Frank Cottrell Boyce tale about young people facing difficult situations and struggling to figure out the world around them and their place in it. They make innocent, uninformed mistakes, come to incomplete laugh-out-loud conclusions, and in the end, come away with a better understanding of each other and the people they interact with daily. I recommend it for readers aged 9 and up.
I checked out a copy of this book from the library and have provided an honest review.
The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce gives voice to the bullied, the bullies, and those who are powerless to make themselves heard. When Rory tries to talk to his parents, his teachers, and his schoolmates about being bullied, they generally ignore him or blame him, and he realizes he’s on his own in dealing with it. Once he turns green Rory can’t even control where he lives or who is allowed to see him. It’s no wonder he gravitates to stories about superheroes, especially those who started out as ordinary humans and gained power through some outside force, aka Spiderman, to fight evil.
Locked up with his nemesis, Rory slowly comes to understand Tommy-Lee and the troubles he faces of his own. And while the two become friends of a sort, Rory is under no delusion that under the right circumstances Tommy-Lee will lash out at him again.
The Astounding Broccoli Boy is a classic Frank Cottrell Boyce tale about young people facing difficult situations and struggling to figure out the world around them and their place in it. They make innocent, uninformed mistakes, come to incomplete laugh-out-loud conclusions, and in the end, come away with a better understanding of each other and the people they interact with daily. I recommend it for readers aged 9 and up.
I checked out a copy of this book from the library and have provided an honest review.
October 28, 2019
This one is great fun. Rory suddenly, unexplicably turns green, and green people are often superheroes aren't they? It deals with a variety of issues in an amusing way. Not only does Rory turn green, but so does his nemesis Grim Komissky ... and part way through they are joind by the female superhero Koko Kwok. Grim, the school bully is not the person he appears to be, and we are all astounding in our own way. The children are held in an isolation ward (from which they escape at night to have their adventures), characterisation of the adults provides food for thought. Fast moving and funny. Interestingly at the end the author talks about the where the idea originated ... elements of reality in the unreality.
Definitely worth the read for both boys and girsl (and adults!)
Definitely worth the read for both boys and girsl (and adults!)
April 26, 2018
This book is such a fun read!! I loved the characters and the premise - two characters turning green- Rory (year 7) & Tommy Lee (also year 7 & a total bully to Rory) who then have to spend a lot of time together- really works. Rory is always seeing his life in terms of comic books & his voice is convincingly that of a middle-school aged kid. Both boys change a lot during the course of their "greenness" and shared adventures. They learn to see each other anew by the novel's end. Any kid who liked Hercufleas (another great read!) or other books with unlikely heroes & humor will surely love this.
February 24, 2019
Life’s not fair for Rory Rooney. Small and unremarkable, a target for bullies, all he wants is to be left in peace at school and not to be thrown out of the bus and having his lunch stolen by his tormentors.
Then, for no reason he can think of, he turns a bright green and is stuck in hospital with his arch-nemesis, the bully Grim Komissky.
Can things get any worse?
The story starts with a “Wimpy Kid” scenario but then revs up and turns into an exciting and a bit bonkers superhero adventure. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, with engaging characters, a big heart and an uplifting message.
Perfect for fans of a real good yarn and superheroes of any colour, shape or size.
Then, for no reason he can think of, he turns a bright green and is stuck in hospital with his arch-nemesis, the bully Grim Komissky.
Can things get any worse?
The story starts with a “Wimpy Kid” scenario but then revs up and turns into an exciting and a bit bonkers superhero adventure. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, with engaging characters, a big heart and an uplifting message.
Perfect for fans of a real good yarn and superheroes of any colour, shape or size.
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