Not bog standard and other peculiar stories by Mark Pardoe

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Omnibus, 2012. ISBN 978 1 86291 863 4.
This book is great fun. The stories have a twist and there are not always happy endings. Mark Pardoe will undoubtedly be compared to Paul Jennings as the format and stories are reminiscent whilst still being highly original. They have more of a darker flavor such as Message in a bottle and Fish out of water, both of which show the consequences of bad choices. Others have almost a supernatural element such as Clairvoyant canine and Get lost.
My favourite is Flu past about two boys who live in the same house on a farm but are separated by about ninety years. Hopefully there will be others to follow as they will appeal to readers who want variety in their stories and especially primary school boys.
David Rayner

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