The Unforgettable What's His Name

February 1, 2018

Gr 2-5-Previously released in Australia, this tale of a boy who blends in a little too much has a lot of quirk and heart. The boy (readers don't learn his name until the end of the book) is so used to being ignored and being called "What's His Name" that his mother has invited another child, Horrible Gertag, over for the weekend to help ease the boy's sadness and loneliness. However, Gertag is definitely not the solution the boy desires, and he immediately tries to escape her company. During the next two days, very strange things begin to happen, including his blending into his surroundings and actually physically transforming into copies of objects around him. Complete with a madcap cast of characters including a motorcycle gang ("bikies") and a pack of monkeys, this illustrated adventure story packages a message about social anxiety in a very unique early middle grade format. Sentences are short and the language, with the exception of Australian terms, is simple enough to appeal to young readers of chapter books as well as more reluctant or struggling older readers. The illustrations vary from small black-and-white cartoons to full-color spreads with a "look and find" theme as readers must attempt to discover what or whom the boy has transformed into. VERDICT Fans of this author/illustrator duo will be sure to enjoy this newest title, while readers new to their work may take a bit of time to adjust to the Australian word usage and terms. An optional purchase for most elementary libraries.-Kate Olson, Bangor School District, WI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.