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The Summer I Robbed a Bank
Rex's parents have split up, he's about to make the daunting move to secondary school, and to make matters worse he has to spend his summer holiday on a remote and rainy Irish island - with lots of unruly sheep for company.
The only upside: he'll be staying with his strange and brilliant Uncle Derm.
Then Rex discovers Uncle Derm is about to execute his most hair-brained plan yet - to rob the island's travelling bank!
Like the local legend of medieval Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley, Uncle Derm plans to redistribute the money to local needy causes on the island.
And he needs Rex's help . . .
A madcap robbery, plenty of sheep and a summer of discoveries come together in this hilarious and moving novel, perfect for fans of Frank Cottrell Boyce, Ross Welford and David Walliams.
Praise for David O'Doherty's Danger is Everywhere series:
'I dislocated my jaw laughing' Eoin Colfer
'Imagine the Mighty Boosh crashed into the Wimpy Kid' The Times
'Brilliantly funny' Gransnet
The only upside: he'll be staying with his strange and brilliant Uncle Derm.
Then Rex discovers Uncle Derm is about to execute his most hair-brained plan yet - to rob the island's travelling bank!
Like the local legend of medieval Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley, Uncle Derm plans to redistribute the money to local needy causes on the island.
And he needs Rex's help . . .
A madcap robbery, plenty of sheep and a summer of discoveries come together in this hilarious and moving novel, perfect for fans of Frank Cottrell Boyce, Ross Welford and David Walliams.
Praise for David O'Doherty's Danger is Everywhere series:
'I dislocated my jaw laughing' Eoin Colfer
'Imagine the Mighty Boosh crashed into the Wimpy Kid' The Times
'Brilliantly funny' Gransnet
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
24 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
David O'Doherty
20 books45 followersDavid Nicholas O'Doherty (born 18 December 1975 in Dublin, Ireland) is a Perrier Award winning Irish stand-up comedian, author, musician, actor and playwright. His stand-up has won two awards at the Edinburgh Fringe, Best Newcomer first of all and the if.comedy award in 2008 for his show Let's Comedy. He has been nominated twice more for his work at the festival. O'Doherty has also written a children's book, composed two plays and released two comedy CDs, the first of which Giggle Me Timbers (Jokes Ahoy) was recorded at his home in front of 35 people. O'Doherty's second CD release called Let's David O'Doherty was recorded in Whelans of Dublin and released in December 2009. His television series The Modest Adventures of David O'Doherty was broadcast on RTÉ Television in 2007. In 2006 he claimed that it took him "about three years to get a decent hour together and seven years to achieve this level of fame where (he is) the number three ranked person called David O'Doherty on Google".
O'Doherty has written widely for newspapers and magazines and also has two plays, two books and a radio series to his name. His debut book was a children's book entitled Ronan Long Gets It Wrong, written in 2001. It was illustrated by David Roberts and published by Mammoth Storybooks. His first play is entitled Saddled and was written with Bryan Quinn. It was claimed as "the world's first theatrical production to feature live repair of audience members' bicycles". In 2008, he and fellow Irish comedian Maeve Higgins performed "I Can't Sleep", a play recommended for children aged 5–8. This was O'Doherty's first play for children. The play, which involved the audience entering the theatre to find both performers asleep in separate beds, was performed in both Dublin and Edinburgh. He has also written a series for RTÉ Radio about bee detectives with his brother Mark, entitled The Bees of Manulla. O'Doherty released a book detailing 100 false facts about pandas called '100 Facts About Pandas' which is 100 false facts about pandas. He followed this up with '100 facts about Sharks' which is 100 false facts about sharks.
O'Doherty has written widely for newspapers and magazines and also has two plays, two books and a radio series to his name. His debut book was a children's book entitled Ronan Long Gets It Wrong, written in 2001. It was illustrated by David Roberts and published by Mammoth Storybooks. His first play is entitled Saddled and was written with Bryan Quinn. It was claimed as "the world's first theatrical production to feature live repair of audience members' bicycles". In 2008, he and fellow Irish comedian Maeve Higgins performed "I Can't Sleep", a play recommended for children aged 5–8. This was O'Doherty's first play for children. The play, which involved the audience entering the theatre to find both performers asleep in separate beds, was performed in both Dublin and Edinburgh. He has also written a series for RTÉ Radio about bee detectives with his brother Mark, entitled The Bees of Manulla. O'Doherty released a book detailing 100 false facts about pandas called '100 Facts About Pandas' which is 100 false facts about pandas. He followed this up with '100 facts about Sharks' which is 100 false facts about sharks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 12, 2022
This was SUCH a fun read. I enjoyed it, my kids enjoyed it, and we laughed a lot.
May 28, 2022
A funny adventure story set on Achill Island with lots of heart this is absolutely perfect for emerging independent readers (8-12). The short chapters, the fantastical plot and the journey of self discovery for the protagonist make this an excellent candidate for use in a classroom too. There's lots of scope for discussion (who the good/bad characters are and why, what the children would do if they were the main character in the book), art lessons (design new disguises, invent a new machine like uncle derm) and geography lessons exploring the journey Rex takes to Achill or making a map of the island. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself and look forward to checking out more of David O'Doherty's books. (1st read -June 2021)
Edit (May 2022)
Just listened to the audio book version (available on BorrowBox) of this brilliant middle grade novel, read by the author himself and remembered how much I loved the story so I've bumped my review to 5*
Well worth a read no matter your age!
Edit (May 2022)
Just listened to the audio book version (available on BorrowBox) of this brilliant middle grade novel, read by the author himself and remembered how much I loved the story so I've bumped my review to 5*
Well worth a read no matter your age!
November 2, 2021
It's a very good book really nice. :)
July 19, 2022
No false advertising here!! This is a fun adolescent adventure book about Rex and Kitty and how their imperfections make them perfect!!
April 15, 2024
I'm a huge fan of Irish comedian David O'Doherty, and on seeing he'd released a middle grade book for kids I was immediately reserving the print copy and audiobook from my library. When The Summer I Robbed a Bank begins, 12 year old Rex is sent to stay with his Uncle Derm on remote Achill Island for the school holidays. Rex is expecting to have a boring time, what with all of the sheep, but things don't quite go exactly to plan. Rex meets Kitty and their adventures together were amusing and heartwarming at the same time.
"We laughed so hard we had to lean on things." Page 21
I really enjoy O'Doherty's view of the world and it's also why I enjoy his comedy so much. His sense of humour and imagination work well with his observations of people and relationships in a unique and very appealing way. I was happy to find this talent translated well to his middle grade fiction too:
"I didn't want to look round, but I couldn't help myself, in the same way you can't not watch a football heading towards a window." Page 61
Read in the author's distinctive accent and endearing storytelling style, The Summer I Robbed a Bank by David O'Doherty was an absolute pleasure to listen to and read. I did wonder about the target reading audience for middle grade books like these. I mean, if the protagonist Rex is 12 years old, is the target reading audience also 12 or a few years younger in an aspirational sense?
Fortunately I had the pleasure of seeing David O'Doherty perform live here in Melbourne during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024 just after I'd read this book. When the author spoke of relocating during the pandemic and living with his parents on Achill Island for six months I smiled in recognition.
I've since learned David O'Doherty has written a number of books for youngsters and while I haven't read any others, I can highly recommended this one for both kids and parents! I defy you to listen to a FREE sample on the publisher's website and not keep reading.
"We laughed so hard we had to lean on things." Page 21
I really enjoy O'Doherty's view of the world and it's also why I enjoy his comedy so much. His sense of humour and imagination work well with his observations of people and relationships in a unique and very appealing way. I was happy to find this talent translated well to his middle grade fiction too:
"I didn't want to look round, but I couldn't help myself, in the same way you can't not watch a football heading towards a window." Page 61
Read in the author's distinctive accent and endearing storytelling style, The Summer I Robbed a Bank by David O'Doherty was an absolute pleasure to listen to and read. I did wonder about the target reading audience for middle grade books like these. I mean, if the protagonist Rex is 12 years old, is the target reading audience also 12 or a few years younger in an aspirational sense?
Fortunately I had the pleasure of seeing David O'Doherty perform live here in Melbourne during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024 just after I'd read this book. When the author spoke of relocating during the pandemic and living with his parents on Achill Island for six months I smiled in recognition.
I've since learned David O'Doherty has written a number of books for youngsters and while I haven't read any others, I can highly recommended this one for both kids and parents! I defy you to listen to a FREE sample on the publisher's website and not keep reading.
July 22, 2021
Having spent my childhood summers having the ultimate freedom on Achill Island, I really enjoyed this light-hearted, adventurous read. Ideally suited for ks2 aged children, I can imagine them really enjoying the characters and the plot. Littered with Achill references, but not to the detriment of understanding the plot.the relationship between uncle and nephew is particularly special ❤️
March 9, 2025
The first book of 2025 to make me cry. What an absolute gem of whimsical explorations into how our imperfections to some make us perfect for others and the simple importance of creativity. Loved this.
December 1, 2024
My 7 year old and I enjoyed this together. It's a heart-warming adventure full of giggles and suspense. DOD'S whimsical comedy style translates well to the JF genre.
November 6, 2021
Loved it! The characters were great and I’ll defo look out for this author for future books. Some aspects were sad but overall it was a great mystery read with a lot of laughs
June 4, 2025
This felt very much like a cross between a David Walliams and a Bob Mortimer book. The author of this is probably unknown to most of you but is a fairly well known comedian in the UK and Ireland so would explain those comparisons. We get a lot of zaniness in here along with a good amount of heart. The author also does a commendable job of broaching the topics of divorce and death. The resolution to the gang's 'problem' is a bit lackluster but the actual ending to the book is very sweet.
July 1, 2021
“I will never rob another bank ever again.” 💲💵
This is the tale of “how the quietest kid in his class at school, the worst worrier and the scarediest scaredy-cat became, for a while, one of the most wanted criminals in the country”. Rex is 12. He has an uncle called Derm. “There was something about my uncle – he made extraordinary things happen. And things were about to get really extraordinary.” Derm lives in Ireland on the island of Achill which is where this book is mainly set, over a holiday that Rex spends there where he meets his friend Kitty and Derm’s friend Ronan. The four of them become involved in a bank robbery. But this is not a slick operation like you might see in the films. This is more a disorganised, David Doherty-style operation where there are plenty of mistakes such that it seems like all that they’ve pulled off will come to nothing.
But why rob a bank? It’s for a good cause. The Old Coastguard Station, “the most important building on the whole island… it’s the assisted-living centre” is condemned and to be made into a hotel by the villain of the piece Angley meaning all its residents will be turfed out, some with nowhere to go. But there’s no money to do all the repairs to it. It needs a miracle. And maybe that miracle will come.
This is a fun book. The author is a comedian but this book is different from his comedy, so not as many jokes. It still is Irish though and the plot has funny characters, incompetence, and funny situations, plus a poignant ending as the inevitable happens for one of the characters. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the tale of “how the quietest kid in his class at school, the worst worrier and the scarediest scaredy-cat became, for a while, one of the most wanted criminals in the country”. Rex is 12. He has an uncle called Derm. “There was something about my uncle – he made extraordinary things happen. And things were about to get really extraordinary.” Derm lives in Ireland on the island of Achill which is where this book is mainly set, over a holiday that Rex spends there where he meets his friend Kitty and Derm’s friend Ronan. The four of them become involved in a bank robbery. But this is not a slick operation like you might see in the films. This is more a disorganised, David Doherty-style operation where there are plenty of mistakes such that it seems like all that they’ve pulled off will come to nothing.
But why rob a bank? It’s for a good cause. The Old Coastguard Station, “the most important building on the whole island… it’s the assisted-living centre” is condemned and to be made into a hotel by the villain of the piece Angley meaning all its residents will be turfed out, some with nowhere to go. But there’s no money to do all the repairs to it. It needs a miracle. And maybe that miracle will come.
This is a fun book. The author is a comedian but this book is different from his comedy, so not as many jokes. It still is Irish though and the plot has funny characters, incompetence, and funny situations, plus a poignant ending as the inevitable happens for one of the characters. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 12, 2022
I listened to this on audiobook format, read by the author himself.
Quite a few comedians have branched out to writing children’s books. Not all do so with good results. I have enjoyed Danny Wallace’s books but when I tried reading his first children’s book, I could not manage it. It was just too over the top silly. Granted, these books are aimed at children and not adults, but it’s a nice bonus when adults can still read and appreciate them.
This is my first book by David and I enjoyed it. Yes, I’m a fan of his comedy, so I thought I would test out his children’s novels - albeit with some trepidation. I was pleasantly surprised. There is some silliness of course, but it falls more towards kind of wacky rather than nonsensical. There’s humour throughout, adventure, action, character development, and pathos set at an appropriate level for younger readers.
Quite a few comedians have branched out to writing children’s books. Not all do so with good results. I have enjoyed Danny Wallace’s books but when I tried reading his first children’s book, I could not manage it. It was just too over the top silly. Granted, these books are aimed at children and not adults, but it’s a nice bonus when adults can still read and appreciate them.
This is my first book by David and I enjoyed it. Yes, I’m a fan of his comedy, so I thought I would test out his children’s novels - albeit with some trepidation. I was pleasantly surprised. There is some silliness of course, but it falls more towards kind of wacky rather than nonsensical. There’s humour throughout, adventure, action, character development, and pathos set at an appropriate level for younger readers.
May 20, 2021
David O’Doherty is such a natural when it comes to writing for kids. I read this with my 7 year old and he absolutely loved it (he constantly rereads the Danger series also by David O’Doherty). The Summer I Robbed a Bank is such a genuinely entertaining and heartfelt story - full of childhood innocence and fun and wonder. It is set on Achill Island off the coast of Ireland and it is a love letter to the island and its environment throughout. It is ultimately a story of friendship and love with lots of madcap belly-laugh enducing capers thrown in. It is a pure joy to read for adults and children alike. I am so thankful I got approved for an ARC from Netgalley and Penguin but we will definitely be buying a hard copy to treasure and as gifts for friends.
June 4, 2021
The summer I robbed a bank was a heartfelt novel about family, change and loss that I really enjoyed!
The writing was incredibly witty and funny which complimented the plot! The plot in itself was brilliant and engaging. Rex and Kitty felt like realistic characters and made me root for them! The theme was carried perfectly throughout the book and the ending also reflected on that.
My only issue was that the pace towards the end was a bit slower and dragged the story on. I didn't understand why they had to rob a bank just to save a hospital when there were many other ways they could have raised money.
Other than that this was a great middle grade read that had me gripped throughout!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc!
The writing was incredibly witty and funny which complimented the plot! The plot in itself was brilliant and engaging. Rex and Kitty felt like realistic characters and made me root for them! The theme was carried perfectly throughout the book and the ending also reflected on that.
My only issue was that the pace towards the end was a bit slower and dragged the story on. I didn't understand why they had to rob a bank just to save a hospital when there were many other ways they could have raised money.
Other than that this was a great middle grade read that had me gripped throughout!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc!
July 14, 2024
Rex finds life hard. His name draws lots of negative attention. His parents smother him, and then they divorce. Mum gets sick, and Rex is going to be sent to boring relatives until he says he wants to go to Uncle Derm.
Uncle Derm is the opposite of boring. He is great fun for Rex but a bit terrifying, too. Get out of your comfort zone is Uncle’s mantra. Rex discovers his uncle has teamed up with his next-door neighbour, Ronan, to rob a bank to fund repairs on a local rest home, where he plans to go when needed. The only problem is that they mess it up, and Rex and Ronan’s daughter Kitty must come to the rescue. How do two children save the day and the rest home?
I enjoyed the outlandishness of the story and the humour.
Recommended for readers eight years and older.
Uncle Derm is the opposite of boring. He is great fun for Rex but a bit terrifying, too. Get out of your comfort zone is Uncle’s mantra. Rex discovers his uncle has teamed up with his next-door neighbour, Ronan, to rob a bank to fund repairs on a local rest home, where he plans to go when needed. The only problem is that they mess it up, and Rex and Ronan’s daughter Kitty must come to the rescue. How do two children save the day and the rest home?
I enjoyed the outlandishness of the story and the humour.
Recommended for readers eight years and older.
August 31, 2021
I read this book aloud with my 9 year old son and we loved it. It was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read. We laughed so much and for so long. We loved the storyline and the beautiful scenery described. My husband told me he has been getting recaps of the chapters we read at night the next day from our son, so it is was quite the hit. We were fans of the Danger Is Totally Everywhere manuals so now we’ll have to find the next book by this author.
We live in Texas and has this book shipped from the UK, and part of our fun was looking up on YouTube all the locations described in the book. ❤️
We live in Texas and has this book shipped from the UK, and part of our fun was looking up on YouTube all the locations described in the book. ❤️
September 29, 2022
A wonderful summer adventure, perfect for readers between the ages of 8-12.
With short chapters and bits of fun typography throughout, The Summer I Robbed A Bank takes us through a very unique summer in the life of Rex and his eccentric uncle Derm, who lives in Achill, off the west coast of Ireland. A tale about finding yourself, filled with love, care, friendship, laughter, mischievous sheep and of course, a bank robbery!
The audio book is also deliciously funny, read by the author himself, which makes the interpretation of characters even better!
With short chapters and bits of fun typography throughout, The Summer I Robbed A Bank takes us through a very unique summer in the life of Rex and his eccentric uncle Derm, who lives in Achill, off the west coast of Ireland. A tale about finding yourself, filled with love, care, friendship, laughter, mischievous sheep and of course, a bank robbery!
The audio book is also deliciously funny, read by the author himself, which makes the interpretation of characters even better!
June 4, 2021
So I am 26… Yes I still read children’s books. I devoured this in a day an easy read. Boy did this book make me laugh out loud! Super funny. Smiled throughout. I just loved it all it really showed just how clever Rex and Kitty are as children and that the adults did need their help. After all it’s not easy to rob a bank.
The whole story is about coming together during a tough time with his uncle who is still suffering himself but he wants one final adventure, which is to rob a bank. Set on a remote island makes it even more fun. Will have you giggling throughout. A feel good, comedy children’s read. Short chapters with a few illustrations throughout. I absolutely loved it. Got my imagination going. Now children… Don’t be going robbing banks! These lot got away with it, but only just.
Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me. Brilliant!
The whole story is about coming together during a tough time with his uncle who is still suffering himself but he wants one final adventure, which is to rob a bank. Set on a remote island makes it even more fun. Will have you giggling throughout. A feel good, comedy children’s read. Short chapters with a few illustrations throughout. I absolutely loved it. Got my imagination going. Now children… Don’t be going robbing banks! These lot got away with it, but only just.
Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me. Brilliant!
June 13, 2021
Rex spends his summer on a small island off the coast of Ireland with his mad uncle Derm. There he gets up to lots of madcap schemes and would you believe it, even robs a bank. Larger than life characters, lots of humour and a whacky plot bring this book to life.
This is a great book for younger readers along the lines of Noah’s Gold or The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book for younger readers along the lines of Noah’s Gold or The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2023
Leuk, luchtig boekje om te lezen. Schrijfstijl heeft humor, wat ik erg kan waarderen. Het verhaal was minder crazy dan verwacht, wat ik jammer vond. Maar ja, ik had ook list & leugens (six of crows) in mijn achterhaafd en dat had ik misschien niet moeten hebben, want dat boek is een beetje een toppunt van craziness. Dit boek was leuk en boeiend, vooral voor een kinderboek (want dat was het blijkbaar, oeps...). Ik raad het wel aan
May 29, 2021
A well written and enjoyable story featuring great characters. I enjoyed it as it's well written and the characters are fleshed.
I think it can be appreciated by children and adults.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I think it can be appreciated by children and adults.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 4, 2021
With thanks to NetGalley and Puffin for the digital ARC.
While some of the background to this book’s plot is dark (parental divorce, absent father, mother hospitalised, uncle terminally ill!), the story is lightly told and full of humour. When Rex meets his Uncle Derm’s neighbour Kitty, and they learn what Derm and Kitty’s dad Ronan are up to, chaotic adventures ensue.
The addition of a bumbling local police officer adds to the humour.
Rex’s mum has been overprotective but as he spends more time on Achill Island with his uncle he starts to develop and grow his life experiences and personality.
Some of the conclusions require a little suspension of science/physics disbelief but this book just works!
It gambles along, with never a dull moment and will have you laughing and cringing along with Rex. Great fun!
While some of the background to this book’s plot is dark (parental divorce, absent father, mother hospitalised, uncle terminally ill!), the story is lightly told and full of humour. When Rex meets his Uncle Derm’s neighbour Kitty, and they learn what Derm and Kitty’s dad Ronan are up to, chaotic adventures ensue.
The addition of a bumbling local police officer adds to the humour.
Rex’s mum has been overprotective but as he spends more time on Achill Island with his uncle he starts to develop and grow his life experiences and personality.
Some of the conclusions require a little suspension of science/physics disbelief but this book just works!
It gambles along, with never a dull moment and will have you laughing and cringing along with Rex. Great fun!
September 6, 2021
Well, this was fun and I should have expected as much based on what little I k now of Mr. O’Doherty. Part of the fun was having visited the location of the story, Ireland’s beautiful Achill Island. There’s a lot in this story, and it is written for kids, but adults should enjoy it too.
March 25, 2022
I think this book is meant for a 10 to 14 year old to read as it’s quite whacky! It’s very funny and easy to imagine the characters and the scenes. I was gripped! The writer David O’Docherty is a good author.
June 3, 2021
Kids adventure novel that is very silly and oddly touching at the end.
The 9 year old gave it 5 stars and I gave it 4.
The 9 year old gave it 5 stars and I gave it 4.
June 22, 2021
I think this is one that would be so fun as a read aloud. As an adult reading it, it felt a little samey samey, but a really good narrator would elevate it for sure.
June 30, 2021
Loved this book! Would definitely recommend as a read-aloud for upper elementary ages.
July 2, 2021
Fun, laugh out loud middle grade story with great themes of making friends and valuing family with a surprisingly touching ending that you may need tissues for!
July 25, 2021
Read to my children at bedtimes - they loved it. Full of humour and warmth, I enjoyed it too.
Want to read
September 28, 2021i didn't read i will definitely review after i am done reading
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews