Monkey and Me

by David Gilman

大卫·吉尔曼著的《秘密朋友》讲述的是九岁的豆豆帽是一个患有白血病的孩子，他有一个爱他、随时保护着他的哥哥马克。因为豆豆帽的病，爸爸不得不放弃长途货车司机的工作，成为了一名邮递员；妈妈本来在镇上的糖果厂上班，可是由于工厂迁到了中国，妈妈也失去了工作。 豆豆帽的生活似乎总是不尽如人意，直到有一天，他在妈妈以前上班的废弃工厂里发现了一只受惊的猩猩，豆豆帽叫它马尔科姆。马尔科姆是怎样来到这里的？它好像会一些人类的手势符号？豆豆帽怎样帮助它躲避那些陌生男子的追捕？……

Genres: Adventure

238 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

David Gilman was raised in Liverpool and educated in Wales. By the time he was 16 he was driving a battered 1946 Ford, ferrying construction workers in the African bush. A variety of jobs followed in different countries: fire and rescue, forestry work, JCB driver, window dresser and professional photographer in an advertising agency. He served in the Parachute Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon and then worked in publishing. In 1986 he turned to full-time writing. He has written many radio and television scripts including several years of ‘A Touch of Frost’. In 2007 his ‘Danger Zone’ trilogy for YA was sold in 15 countries. The first in the series – The Devil’s Breath was long listed for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and won the French Prix Polar Jeunesse. He also writes for younger children. MONKEY and ME has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘MASTER of WAR’ is the first in a series of HF for adults that follows the fortunes of Thomas Blackstone during the 100 Years’ War. The 7th volume - 'SHADOW OF THE HAWK' is published in February 2021.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.

Reviews

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully accept I am not the target reader for this story and it took me a chapter to get into the language being used. It was entirely appropriate for young people but less easy for an adult to read with ease. However after that chapter I was completely hooked by this story of Beanie and the chimpanzee he finds in a deserted house.

Beanie is a "Probationary Gang Member" of his brother's gang as, at nine years eleven months and seven days (at the start of this story) he is too young to be a full member. He makes friends with the chimp who he finds in a deserted house who appears to use and understand some sign language and their stories gradually come out. There were times when I laughed out loud and times when I was on the verge of tears in this warm and moving tale. It would be a great read for youngsters however it does work very well on more than one level. What did Malcolm the chimp escape from and why might that be relevant to Beanie? A lovely story which I really enjoyed reading - I was given the book by the author.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's start with the fact that the ending had me sobbing my heart out in ways I didn't expect.
This book was an absolute roller coaster of a ride so many emotions and hard hitting topics I'd be interested to see how a child would react as that is the target audience.

I cannot wait to read more from this author but this story will forever be ingrained in my mind

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, sweet, adventure with a taste of E.T. (for me). Check it out.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's called a good book! Told in first person from the point of view of Jez (aka Beanie) who at the start of the book is 9 years, 11 months and 9 days old. He has leukaemia but I only knew that because of the blurb. It is mentioned but only in passing and thats what makes this book such an interesting, incredible and enjoyable read. One of the parts that stuck in my memory is when Jez's dad is in the garden drunk, crying and singing the Liverpool anthem. I presume that he is worried about Jez but Jez just thinks that he is sad because Michael Owen left and isn't ever coming back. Throughout the book we see Jez get distracted by all sorts of things, it was written really well. I say that in a lot of my reviews but no kidding, this book is written REALLY well.

This would be a lovely book for children to read. Anyone would enjoy it though. Whatever age you are you could, and should, read this book.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable book about a young but wise boy and his feats to save a chimp. Partially incredible- particularly his sophisticated use of language (because mum works at checkout and dads a postie... Not to say that's not possible but it would require a LOT of stimulation to get there.) but I loved the sophisticated use of language and the excellent vocabulary!

[Vincent Ripley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review to be posted on blog first http://www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com/

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this wonderful book. That's called being delighted!

[ISLN (Int'l School Library Network) Singapore]

Nine-year-old Beanie is determined to protect Malcolm, a scared and hungry chimpanzee, though Beanie himself needs help, as he has leukaemia. (UK)

[Ana Cob]

I am very curious to see how children react to this book...

[Tanya Grech Welden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story, a must read for all upper primary aged children.