The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

June 9, 2014
From his penchant for doodling to his myopic self-interest, fifth-year student Tom Gates can easily be seen as a British cousin to Jeff Kinney’s Greg Heffley. In Tom’s first novel, published in the U.K. in 2011 (where it won a Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and a Roald Dahl Funny Prize), he recounts his ongoing antagonism of his older sister, Delia; his attempts to see his favorite band, Dude3, perform in town; and various family and school-day mishaps, including a disastrous camping trip, inedible meals cooked by his grandparents (aka “the Fossils”), and joining the school choir. The book is typeset in a handwritten-looking font, accompanied by Tom’s doodles and text that he’s embellished for emphasis. A glossary explains the Briticisms Tom uses throughout: “ ‘Rumbled!’ basically means ‘I’m busted!’ ” explains a tiny cartoon of Tom’s head—it’s a phrase he has reason to deploy more than once. Truly laugh-out-loud moments are few and far between, but readers who like their fiction heavily illustrated and their heroes mischievous should find it diverting enough. Ages 8–12. Agent: Caroline Walsh, David Higham Associates.

Tom Gates has an annoying older sister (groan), embarrassing parents, a cool band with his friend Derek, and a talent for getting into trouble and forgetting to turn in his homework. As voiced by actor Rupert Grint (known to moviegoers as Harry Potter's best friend, Ron Weasley) in this UK import, Tom is mischievous and confiding, full of boyish energy and enthusiasm (if not always common sense). In the audio production, copious sound effects take the place of the drawings in the print book, and the result is funny, silly, and charming. It's a great choice for middle-grade boys or reluctant readers, and fans who get hooked will be glad to know that there are more in the series. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine


bibliophile - This book had me laughing throughout the whole story. Honestly this book was hilarious, it had cool and cute doodles and captions with different types of fonts... it also reminded me of the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series, but this book was more hectic and funnier in my opinion. Tom Gate(reminds me of Bill Gates :D) Is our typical average guy who likes to draw. doesn't like to do homework, and annoys his sister. On the first day of school he got a guy teacher, Mr. Fullerman, put him right in the front right next to Amy Porter(a girl he's trying to impress) and Marcus Meldrew(one annoying little kid[although he's not little]). His best mate is Derek who he's in a band with called the DOGZOMBIES, and they live close to each other. Tom writes all about his life even about the no-so-fun camping trip! I really liked the character, Mr. Fullerman, because he play a significant and funny role. Once Tom got his Dude3 tickets.. his tickets got destroyed by a (*spoiler*) Will he ever be able to see the Dude3? Who or what destroyed the tickets? Well it's up to you to read and find out. I URGE you guys to read it, trust me it's soooooo hilarious, such a cute, funny read.