Rory Sparkes and the elephant in the room by Hugh Bonneville

Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room, by Hugh Bonneville, is a lively novel bursting with heart, humour and just the right amount of chaos. Set in England, this fast-paced story follows Rory Sparkes, a boy with big emotions, bold dreams and an unwavering desire to run away and join the circus. Life at home isn’t always easy - his older sister knows exactly how to annoy him, maths isn’t his favourite subject and Rory’s fiery temper and wild ideas can often land him in trouble. Yet beneath it all, Rory has a genuinely good heart that readers will be drawn to.

When Evie, a girl from the circus, arrives at Rory’s school with her elephant, the ordinary rhythms of normal life are thrown completely off balance. What follows is a whirlwind of misunderstandings, mishaps and mayhem that escalate quickly - and often hilariously.

The story moves at speed, hopping between a wide cast of characters. While this quick-paced, character-rich structure can feel busy at first, patient readers will certainly be rewarded as each character’s role becomes clear. The story is cleverly woven together, as humour and heart are intertwined with the reinforcement of connection and understanding.

Bonneville’s writing style is packed with pizazz and punch and draws similarity to the work of David Walliams. The comedy is bold and accessible, but beneath the laughter lies a thoughtful exploration of kindness, teamwork, forgiveness and self-belief. Rory’s journey shows that life doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from learning to understand and appreciate others - and yourself.

Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room would make an excellent read-aloud for a middle primary classroom. The exciting storyline, colourful characters and rapid pace invite dramatic reading opportunities, with shared laughter and thought-provoking discussion points. An adventurous story with heartfelt sincerity that is ultimately uplifting; this novel would make a rewarding read that delivers both entertainment and meaningful life lessons.

Humour and heart - this story has a bit of everything.

Themes: Teamwork, Friendship, School, Circus, Kindness, Forgiveness, Character Strength, Self-Belief, Read Aloud.

Michelle O'Connell