This unusual, inventive story is about a boy that
blends into his surroundings every time he gets scared. The themes this novel
is built on are loneliness, a sense of belonging, and the need to be loved.
The boy, (we don’t learn his name until the end of
the book) is called what’s his name by the terrible Gertag. He has mastered the
art of being invisible. This ability is raised a notch when he literally
becomes unseen as his skin and clothes change, and he becomes what he is
closest to at the time of his fear.
His father left him and his mum when he was three.
His dad’s reason for leaving was his own fear, and the shame that came with it.
The boy longs to find him, and thinks about him constantly. This abandonment
appears to be the cause of the boy’s shyness, sadness and his inability to make
friends.
The story full of action, involves a dog with no
ears and different coloured eyes, a bikie gang, and the escape of all the
monkeys from the zoo enclosure. Odd happenings that cause chaos, lots of chases
that add humour, and an element of sadness.
Craig Smith’s wonderful black and white
illustrations fill the book and greatly enhance the story. The atmosphere of
black and white is interrupted by double spreads of full page coloured
illustrations without accompanying text. This uplifting sequence of colour
reflects a feeling of hope and anticipation. It’s ideal for reluctant readers,
particularly boys who like bizarre and challenging content in books.
Title:
The Unforgettable What’s His Name
Author:
Paul Jennings
Illustrator:
Craig Smith
Publisher:
Allen & Unwin, $14.99
Publication
Date: 26 October 2016
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9781760290856
For
ages: 8+
Type:
Junior Fiction
