2 boys…
1 little penguin…
What could possibly go wrong?
11 (and a half) year old Marty thinks all his dreams have come true when he is partnered with Jessica for the class assignment and overnight science trip. He’s sure that as they spend time together, Jessica will discover that they are perfect for each other. She might even finally remember his name.
There is just one problem. Marty’s mum says the excursion is too expensive and he can’t go. He needs to earn some money, fast, or he’ll miss his opportunity to impress Jessica. When Marty is offered the money he needs in return for stealing a penguin during a school trip to the zoo, it’s an opportunity he finds hard to turn down. After all, how much trouble could one little penguin cause?
Diary of a Penguin-napper is an entertaining adventure story filled with humour and wry observations from Marty as he attempts to explain to two increasingly bemused police officers just how a penguin came to be living in his upstairs bathroom. Offering entries from his diary as supporting evidence, Marty recounts his adventure from the announcement of the excursion to his mother’s untimely discovery of their black and white guest.
Debut author Sally Harris offers young readers a good mix of action and humour as Marty and his unfortunately nicknamed best friend Scott ‘Turds’ Trudman plan their penguin-napping venture and discover that one little penguin can cause quite a bit of trouble when given the chance. This is just the kind of novel that will keep young readers turning pages as they follow Marty's story from lovestruck tween to temporary penguin guardian.
Title: Diary of a Penguin-napper
Author: Sally Franks
Publisher: Frankly Books, $9.95 RRP
Publication Date: 29 October 2012
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780987416308
For ages: 6 - 10
Type: Junior fiction
