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Artie and the Grime Wave
Artie and his best friend Bumshoe have stumbled upon a Cave-of-Possibly-Stolen-Stuff, and along with it a gang of shady characters including scary Mary, fang-toothed Funnel-web and the devious Mayor Grime.
Artie and Bumshoe's attempt to solve the mystery sparks a chaotic chain of events that involves kidnapping, puppy-dog cutlets, modern art and pioneering the sport of the bungee- wedgie.
It's a sticky situation and if Artie's going to escape, he might need help from family, friends, a little old lady, a small dog and the Fartex 120Y.
A riotously funny adventure from the multi-talented Richard Roxburgh.
Artie and Bumshoe's attempt to solve the mystery sparks a chaotic chain of events that involves kidnapping, puppy-dog cutlets, modern art and pioneering the sport of the bungee- wedgie.
It's a sticky situation and if Artie's going to escape, he might need help from family, friends, a little old lady, a small dog and the Fartex 120Y.
A riotously funny adventure from the multi-talented Richard Roxburgh.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 28, 2018
This was brilliant. We listened to this as an audio book from @bolindaaudio, with the author, Richard Roxburgh narrating, using the CD player in the car.
I didn’t want it to end. His accents and range of characters had me in stitches.
The story was nothing new, but the joy was the language and characterisation.
The book is also illustrated by the author, but what I really want is more! Please write more Artie stories.
I didn’t want it to end. His accents and range of characters had me in stitches.
The story was nothing new, but the joy was the language and characterisation.
The book is also illustrated by the author, but what I really want is more! Please write more Artie stories.
May 24, 2020
Artie is a weedy kid from a dysfunctional family. His best friend Bumshoe eats only lollies. The best thing about friends is they do stuff together. Artie and Bumshoe find a cave full of probably-stolen-stuff. They set up a camera to get evidence so they can go to the police.
The crooks find the camera and capture the boys. How they escape and who helps them makes for a funny story.
I liked the colourful characters and the humour throughout the book.
Recommend for 8+ Particularly for readers who enjoy bottom focused humour and slap stick.
The crooks find the camera and capture the boys. How they escape and who helps them makes for a funny story.
I liked the colourful characters and the humour throughout the book.
Recommend for 8+ Particularly for readers who enjoy bottom focused humour and slap stick.
July 9, 2017
Not a bad story - silly beyond belief, but primary school boys like that sort of stuff.
January 19, 2017
Good mix of humour, mystery and loyalty to friends. Bullying and crime add much to this story too.
February 2, 2017
Great fun read
October 10, 2016
I received a copy of this title from Allen & Unwin for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Since his dad died and his mum became catatonic from grief, Artie has navigated life under the care of his shouty big sister and with the help of his best mate Bumshoe. When the boys stumble across a potential (no, probable...okay, definite) stash of stolen goods, they must work to unravel an organised crime racket that (probably) goes all the way to the top.
Apart from the slightly disturbing illustrations that sort of creeped me out, Artie and the Grime Wave is a fun and bizarre adventure for primary school kids. Artie is an unassuming young lad with an over-sized best friend who happens to bear the nickname Bumshoe, and for those reasons alone, attracts the unwanted attention of local bullies. On the plus side though, Artie is also surrounded by a collection of family and friends to support him. There's his mum (stricken with grief), his sister (Shouty McShoutface), Aunty-boy (the crazy, lolly-giving lady down the street) and the lovely Ukrainian family next door who may have hidden talents (the Unpronounceable-enkos). So you see, despite being picked on by ruffians, Artie has plenty of colour in his life to keep him busy and distracted.
When Artie and Bumshoe accidentally stumble upon some stolen goods, Artie's life takes a turn for the adventurous as he and his strange collection of family, friends and neighbours fall into a dastardly hotbed of organised crime. The humour here is a familiar Australian blend of dry and silly, and characters alone make the story funny enough to keep youngsters entertained. The book is illustrated here and there throughout (with the aforementioned slightly creepy and unnecessarily toothy pictures) and also employs some different fonts to mix things up a bit. All in all, this story can probably best be compared to the style of David Walliams, except with a bit more Aussie grittiness.
I would definitely recommend this one to young readers who prefer their reading to feature a bit of larrikinism, a bit of stealth and silliness and a bit of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Since his dad died and his mum became catatonic from grief, Artie has navigated life under the care of his shouty big sister and with the help of his best mate Bumshoe. When the boys stumble across a potential (no, probable...okay, definite) stash of stolen goods, they must work to unravel an organised crime racket that (probably) goes all the way to the top.
Apart from the slightly disturbing illustrations that sort of creeped me out, Artie and the Grime Wave is a fun and bizarre adventure for primary school kids. Artie is an unassuming young lad with an over-sized best friend who happens to bear the nickname Bumshoe, and for those reasons alone, attracts the unwanted attention of local bullies. On the plus side though, Artie is also surrounded by a collection of family and friends to support him. There's his mum (stricken with grief), his sister (Shouty McShoutface), Aunty-boy (the crazy, lolly-giving lady down the street) and the lovely Ukrainian family next door who may have hidden talents (the Unpronounceable-enkos). So you see, despite being picked on by ruffians, Artie has plenty of colour in his life to keep him busy and distracted.
When Artie and Bumshoe accidentally stumble upon some stolen goods, Artie's life takes a turn for the adventurous as he and his strange collection of family, friends and neighbours fall into a dastardly hotbed of organised crime. The humour here is a familiar Australian blend of dry and silly, and characters alone make the story funny enough to keep youngsters entertained. The book is illustrated here and there throughout (with the aforementioned slightly creepy and unnecessarily toothy pictures) and also employs some different fonts to mix things up a bit. All in all, this story can probably best be compared to the style of David Walliams, except with a bit more Aussie grittiness.
I would definitely recommend this one to young readers who prefer their reading to feature a bit of larrikinism, a bit of stealth and silliness and a bit of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure.
December 31, 2017
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Artie is always being bullied, along with his rather unfortunately-named pal, Bumshoe. While a shout of ‘Rabbits’ often distracts his dumb tormentors, this time it seems like Artie has gotten into more trouble than he can cope with. With Mary, Funnel-Web and Budgie on his tail, he needs to make things happen… fast.
In the tradition of ‘The Day My Bum Went Psycho’ and ‘The Adventures of Captain Underpants’, this novel contains bums, snot and disgusting boys! If you have a reader that is into that kind of thing, they are going to love this novel.
The action is fast-paced, and the characters such strong caricatures that they will leave some sort of impression in your mind. If you have a weak stomach, and aren’t fond of snot or poop, this probably won’t be for you. There’s bodily fluids flying everywhere!
Honestly, it’s not my kind of novel at all, I didn’t request it to my knowledge. I wouldn’t have read this when I was younger, and the only reason I read this was because I knew my brain would be dead and incapable of digesting good literature after a hard day at work.
Let’s give it 3 stars, and know that there is a deserving audience out there that will enjoy this novel.
Artie is always being bullied, along with his rather unfortunately-named pal, Bumshoe. While a shout of ‘Rabbits’ often distracts his dumb tormentors, this time it seems like Artie has gotten into more trouble than he can cope with. With Mary, Funnel-Web and Budgie on his tail, he needs to make things happen… fast.
In the tradition of ‘The Day My Bum Went Psycho’ and ‘The Adventures of Captain Underpants’, this novel contains bums, snot and disgusting boys! If you have a reader that is into that kind of thing, they are going to love this novel.
The action is fast-paced, and the characters such strong caricatures that they will leave some sort of impression in your mind. If you have a weak stomach, and aren’t fond of snot or poop, this probably won’t be for you. There’s bodily fluids flying everywhere!
Honestly, it’s not my kind of novel at all, I didn’t request it to my knowledge. I wouldn’t have read this when I was younger, and the only reason I read this was because I knew my brain would be dead and incapable of digesting good literature after a hard day at work.
Let’s give it 3 stars, and know that there is a deserving audience out there that will enjoy this novel.
January 17, 2017
Great read. Very reminiscent of Roald Dahl. I've been slowly reading this to my kids every fortnight when they stay with me and they kept asking to hear more. Guess that says it all. Roxburgh is a ridiculously talented actor and now a bloody good children's author it seems, oh he also did all the illustrations
November 16, 2016
Our junior book club just finished this and very much enjoyed it.
The kids said it was funny, it's got comedy and imagination running wild. They said it has good pictures, the character names were weird and it was very punny!
They scored it 8.75/5.5/9.99/9/8/9/7/8
The kids said it was funny, it's got comedy and imagination running wild. They said it has good pictures, the character names were weird and it was very punny!
They scored it 8.75/5.5/9.99/9/8/9/7/8
January 18, 2017
That took a slightly alarming turn...
Want to read
November 29, 2016Didn't finish it. Not because I didn't enjoy it but because I was juggling too many other things.
Enjoyed it enough to put on my "borrow again" list.
Enjoyed it enough to put on my "borrow again" list.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews