Billy 9F

by David Finley

BILLY 9F
Like Orwell’s 1984 — but even funnier!
In 15-year-old Billy 9F’s world, the School is the centre of government and all forms of humour have been outlawed. A smile, a laugh, even a single HA! is punishable by an excruciating electric shock to the neck — or worse, banishment to the deadly Clown Wars. All Billy 9F has ever wanted is to make people laugh. But in such a world, what is a natural-born class clown to do?

BILLY 9F is about the importance and power of laughter. For readers 12 years of age to infinity.

5 STAR REVIEW★★★★★
"...David Finley’s “Billy 9F” is a wonderful story that beautifully delivers absurdity and heart, with action in equal measure, making it a thrilling and thought-provoking read. It not only entertains, but it is inspiring, encouraging the reader to appreciate the simple pleasures of a good laugh. The book was a fast read, but I didn’t want it to end. I hope the author decides to write a sequel because this story has so many possibilities. The story remains thought-provoking and interesting long after the final page..."
Reader Views

5 STAR REVIEW★★★★★
"Finley masterfully crafts an entertaining and thought-provoking narrative, making it a standout addition to the genre...Finley’s ability to weave a tale of resistance through humor is both innovative and inspiring, providing readers with a fresh perspective on the power of laughter...Billy 9F is a compelling read that perfectly balances entertainment and social commentary... This book is highly recommended for young adults and adults alike who enjoy stories of adventure, resistance, and, of course, a good laugh."
Reader's Favorite

5 STAR REVIEW★★★★★A great choice for your YA reader - do not miss it!!
Billy 9F is a smart, well-written, witty, fast-paced story that delivers terrific characters, action, and an important message about joy and friendship, as well as laughs on every page. This is the type of book that makes a young reader a lifelong reader!
Verified Amazon Reader

5 STAR REVIEW★★★★★A witty, fun, suspenseful novel
I found it to be an excellent read, fully earning the five stars I gave it. It is both funny and suspenseful - a winning combination... The novel ends with the faint hope there may be a second novel, or maybe even a series. We can only hope for more.
Verified Amazon Reader

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2021

About the author

David Finley is an award-winning Screenwriter, Filmmaker, Playwright and published Author, living in Toronto. Much of his work has been in family and children's entertainment. He has had a long career as a writer and story editor, mostly in TV. He has also written, produced and directed his own film and theatre projects and had 5 short stories published in various literary magazines. "Billy 9F" is his first novel, aimed at readers 12 and above.

Reviews

[Reader Views]

David Finley’s “Billy 9F: The Principal is Watching You” is an outstanding young adult novel that blends dystopian themes with wit, satire, and a compelling coming-of-age narrative. At its core, this is a story about the importance of humor, creativity, and free thought. In Billy’s world, laughter is considered dangerous because it challenges authority and disrupts control. The novel cleverly critiques societies that suppress individuality and expression in favor of blind obedience. Finley’s dystopian setting is chillingly Orwellian.

The story is set in a humorless society where laughter is literally punishable by electric shock. The novel follows Billy 9F, a rebellious teen with a natural inclination for comedy, as he navigates a world dominated by authoritarian control, surveillance, and the ever-looming threat of war. Filled with satire, the book is both humorous and eerily relevant. The engaging protagonist, Billy, is funny, flawed, and deeply relatable. Billy’s struggle is not just about telling jokes, it’s about identity. He is constantly pressured to suppress his true self in order to survive. His journey mirrors the struggle of anyone who has ever felt out of place in an oppressive or overly rigid system.

Beyond the protagonist Billy, the other characters in this story are also equally engaging and unforgettable. They each bring an important aspect to the story be it their unique presence, personality, or a combination of more. Uncle Mike, the creepy yet endearing android; Jamie 9F, the mysterious new student; and Filomena 3A, Billy’s terrifyingly intelligent little sister, all add depth to the story. The book is full of interesting characters that make it laugh out loud funny, while also full of meaningful moments, making its message even more powerful.

Finley’s writing style is funny, fast-paced, and at times totally bewildering. It’s biting and often dark, reminiscent of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or A Series of Unfortunate Events. The dialogue is so perfect. It’s fast and sharp, keeping the reader transfixed on every word and conversation. What I found most refreshing is that humor never undercuts the emotional weight of the story but instead enhances it with moments of genuine tension, especially as Billy’s pranks have real, unintended consequences.

One item that might need more attention is the fact that the story seems chaotic at times. For instance, the humor and satire come fast and strong, which might overwhelm some readers. But, as a young adult novel, I think most readers will appreciate it as it keeps the story flowing. Additionally, I still have some questions that are left unanswered as the novel sets up intriguing mysteries. While many are resolved, some elements feel like they could be explored further in a sequel.

David Finley’s “Billy 9F” is a wonderful story that beautifully delivers absurdity and heart, with action in equal measure, making it a thrilling and thought-provoking read. It not only entertains, but it is inspiring, encouraging the reader to appreciate the simple pleasures of a good laugh. The book was a fast read, but I didn’t want it to end. I hope the author decides to write a sequel because this story has so many possibilities. The story remains thought-provoking and interesting long after the final page.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story centers on Billy 9F, who lives in a dystopian world where laughter is a crime. Surrounded by strict rules and harsh consequences, Billy’s natural gift for making others laugh is suppressed. He continues to pull pranks on his classmates, but every laugh triggers a painful shock from the collars everyone is forced to wear. Torn between his love of humor and the fear of his friends being punished, Billy searches for a way to stay true to himself. When a new student arrives at school, Billy discovers an ally. Together, can they find a way to bring laughter back?

Opinion:
This humorous book focuses on the importance of laughter in the face of oppression. Life becomes dull without moments of joy, smiles, and laughter. Billy, a natural class clown, just wants to make others laugh. As the story unfolds, it highlights the necessity of human connection and the way humor brings people together. Comedic legends like Chaplin are even featured as sources of inspiration. The book shows that laughter, when allowed, can provide both power and freedom.

I appreciated the way the story framed the government as “the school,” with the Principal enforcing rules that everyone must obey. Harsh punishments, including shocks and banishment, are used to keep people in line. It was a clever way to show that it doesn’t take many individuals to stand up against something unjust. Billy and just a few allies push back against the system, sending a powerful message to the young adult audience this book is intended for.

I was also entertained by the quirky characters and comedic relief throughout the story. Soldiers are called the “Pee Pee,” and the resistance is sparked by a clown named “Poo Poo.” Bathroom humor—farts, burps, and all—is sprinkled throughout, which works especially well for middle school readers and keeps the story engaging. Even as an adult, I found myself laughing out loud at these moments of simple humor.

I would recommend this book to middle schoolers or anyone looking for a funny, meaningful story. I was impressed with how the author wove in powerful themes like sacrifice and resistance while still keeping the tone light and accessible for younger readers.

[Gordon Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children’s Action Comedy is a difficult genre to work with, because of the varied interests and reading vocabularies of the target audience and the objectives of the adults that make the purchases. The novel makes a good stab at it, involving a great deal of creativity to attract the young adults and a tried-and-true political satire plotline to interest the parents. This crosses an authoritarian sci-fi plotline with weird sci-fi technology that uses the power of laughter to light a city. The way this book works, the blend actually holds together.

I have never read a book with a more convoluted first-person/third-person point of view, but the endearing naiveté of the narrator makes it acceptable. It sometimes goes like, “I’m sure glad I wasn’t there at the scene I just described to you, because I sure would have been embarrassed,” or, “She could hear voices across the hall, which was, of course, Uncle Billy and me talking in my bedroom.”

In fact, It’s the character of Billy that makes the book work. He’s a likeable bundle of beyond-his-years self-awareness and childish mixed emotions. The rest of the characters are humorously stereotyped and exaggerated. As you might expect, the more evil, the more outré.

The opening chapters move slowly, because of the need for a great deal of exposition of the political and social setting. As we near the middle of the book the action picks up and the suspense gets stronger. At the climax, the humour starts to fade, as it does in all good action comedies, to make way for snappy action sequences and increasing conflict.

This book is all over the map between 1984, Wizard of Oz and SpongeBob SquarePants. It is marketed for 12 years plus, and the vocabulary is appropriate for that level. However, the “Pee Pee, Poo Poo” and fart humour is more appropriate to younger students. It would work as a film where the vocabulary problem disappears. At a guess, I’d say this novel would be a great read-aloud for a Dad to bond with his 8-year-old son.

[Heena Rathore Rathore-Pardeshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Finley’s Billy 9F is a wildly inventive YA dystopian satire that blends absurdist humor with biting social commentary. The novel follows Billy, a schoolboy living in a rigid system where laughter is outlawed, rules are enforced with demerits and “Pain Collars,” and conformity is the highest value. His life takes a strange turn when his parents gift him “Uncle Mike,” a 57-year-old man who becomes both an irritating companion and an unlikely ally. From there, Billy stumbles into secret wars with clowns, underground resistance movements, and surreal teachers who bulldoze into dining rooms mid-meal.

What makes the book compelling is its sharp use of comedy as rebellion. Whether it’s fart jokes elevated to acts of protest, or the way “outside laughter” becomes a weapon against authoritarian control, author Finley underscores the importance of humor as survival. The recurring presence of Uncle Mike, bumbling, exasperating, yet oddly endearing, adds both comic relief and thematic depth. Jamie and the Major, resistance figures who guide Billy, give the narrative more emotional resonance and direction.

From an editorial perspective, the book occasionally overindulges in repetition. Uncle Mike’s constant chatter and some extended slapstick routines could have been trimmed without losing impact. Still, the playful prose, the creativity of its dystopian world, and the rhythm of dialogue keep the pages turning.

Overall, Billy 9F is equal parts absurd, satirical, and heartfelt. It asks readers, young and old alike, to remember the radical power of laughter in a world that insists on taking itself too seriously.

[Maria Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Orwell’s 1984 but even funnier!

In 15-year-old Billy 9F’s world, the School is the center of government, and laughter is forbidden. A single chuckle earns an electric shock; a full laugh could mean banishment to the deadly Clown Wars. But Billy can’t help it, he’s born to make people laugh.

Billy 9F is a sharp, fast-paced YA dystopian adventure about rebellion through humor and the simple, radical power of joy. For readers aged 12 to infinity, it blends absurdity, satire, and heart in a story that asks: what happens when laughter becomes the ultimate act of resistance?