He then has to decide – as all bloggers do – what to write about. What topics will be interesting? And what happens in his life that people will want to read about?
Charlie is excited to discover he actually has lots to say. There’s his younger brother, his best friend who runs an illegal red cordial stall at school, his parents and his escape from a lawsuit from his classmate’s father. Not to mention the corrupt school monitors, the mystery posters appearing at school and the stolen school mascot.
Along the way, Charlie must deal with day-to-day blogging issues like negative comments, new commenters and finding blogging material (especially on Sundays – “a blogger’s worst nightmare” because nothing ever happens) – all while trying to become a hero, save the day and get the girl.
And The Greatest Blogger in the World competition? Let’s just say that Charlie’s priorities will be tested.
This story is somewhat of a mishmash of plot lines, finding its way in parts and losing itself at moments. But rather than becoming confusing, difficult to follow or making the reader want to put the book aside, it actually works to create a fun – and funny – story.
Keeping up with the mayhem of these crazy characters is the real aim of the reader and kids will have fun doing just that.
This is not a perfect work of literary brilliance, but it is a good modern story about the marriage between online and ‘real life’ worlds.
Title: The Greatest Blogger in the World
Author: Andrew McDonald
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $16.95 RRP
Publication Date: July 2009
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781921502231
For ages: 7 - 11
Type: Junior Fiction
