Freakout Island: Welcome to the world's worst theme park!

by Justin Christopher

Ten year-old Leo Wriggly enjoys the spoils of his parents’ unusual careers. Life as Professional Competition Winners has its perks. One enormous perk is a particularly lucky week that nets Mum and Dad a nice vacation for two. Unfortunately, that leaves Leo stuck at home with his old Aunt Margo.

A stickler for rules, Aunt Margo is none too pleased with Leo’s behaviour. When she witnesses him swallowing his chewing gum, that’s the last straw. Off to Friendly Island she sends him until his parents return, but things are not all they seem on the island.

It doesn’t take long for Leo to discover Friendly Island isn’t so friendly after all. It’s a place where naughty children are sent to correct their disgusting behaviour. Four other children arrive with him and soon unusual punishments are distributed, and the results are mind-boggling.

Harriet is cursed with a bird’s nest atop her head for her “crimes”. Felix literally loses his mind. Ricky is forced to spend eternity squawking like a parrot. Eden’s hands are made of glue. And poor Leo is now forced to live with massive bubbles blowing out of his butt for swallowing gum.

Can Leo save himself and his friends before the island’s Komodo dragon eats them for supper, or is their fate already sealed?

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2020

About the author

Justin Christopher is a bestselling author who has published 33 books for adults and children. He spent 15 years as a radio host on a nationwide breakfast show and is now a full-time author and TV producer.

Justin's latest novels for children are Stowaway Daze, Freakout Island, The Underers, and My Best Worst Year and Nanas With No Manners.

He shares a lively, creative home beneath a volcano in New Zealand with his wife, their two daughters, and a scruffy dog.

Reviews

[Jane Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often you get a book that makes both readers laugh so hard they nearly blow a bubble out their butt... but this book ticks that box. Such a fun adventure, full of very funny gems, a bit of excitement, some scary bits (but not too scary) and a very likable main character. This was our favourite read this year!!

[Dave Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, silly, great to read and was instrumental in keeping me connected with my sons at storytime before bed while we were separated during Covid-19 lockdown. Justin Christopher is the modern day Roald Dahl. Outstanding stuff.

[Cheryll · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I was an 8 - 10 year old boy I'm sure I would have rated this book a 3 or 4 star! Bubble gum and bogeys are not really up my alley! I would probably make a good read aloud for reluctant readers. I did think that the author should have expanded more on the flight back to Gumsberry since it was Leo's first attempt at flying a real plane! I imagine there could be a follow-up to this book. Maybe more adventures for these 5 naughty children?