The Blunder Years (Moone Boy)

by Chris O'Dowd, Murphy, Nick Vincent

Paperback, 2015

Status

Available

Call number

823.92

Publication

Macmillan Childrens Books (2015), Edition: Main Market Ed.

Description

Martin Moone is eleven and completely fed up with being the only boy in a family of girls. He's desperate for a decent wingman to help him navigate his idiotic life. So when best mate Padraic suggests Martin get an imaginary friend--or "IF" for short--he decides to give it a go. His first attempt is Loopy Lou, a hyperactive goofball who loves writing rubbish rap songs. But Martin soon gets fed up with Lou's loopiness and decides to trade in his IF for someone a little less wacky. Enter Sean "Caution" Murphy, an imaginary office clerk in a bad suit with a passion for laziness and a head full of dodgy jokes. Sean is full of tips and tricks to guide Martin through the perils of the playground, from dealing with his sisters' pranks to besting the bullying Bonner boys. But getting rid of Lou is not that easy, and having TWO imaginary friends is a recipe for trouble!… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member bjkelley
Sometimes you're glad to finally plow your way through some tome, other times, you hate to see the story end. This was one of those hate to send it end books. We've watched the TV series twice and the book is a good compliment to the show. I would probably recommend watching the series first, then
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reading the book, even though the book is sort of a prequel.
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LibraryThing member CarrieWuj
More like 3.5 since this is essentially the Diary of a Wimpy Kid -- Irish edition. But hilarious. I discovered the TV show (international Emmy winner) on PBS last year and it is a hoot. Sadly, it is not available on DVD (or at least wasn't then) so I've only see what I can catch with the DVR. This
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book has filled in some of the missing pieces. The Moone family lives in Boyle, Ireland in the 80s. Dad Liam, Mom Debra, 3 girls and Martin, aka Moone boy are so understately funny, that I often laugh out loud when watching. This book explains how Martin got his imaginary friend, a grown man, who figures prominently in the series -- despite the fact that no one else can see him. Martin is a little beleaugered in his house of sisters - Fidelma, the oldest is a high school senior (?) and pregnant and properly engaged, Trisha is the family rebel (though not pregnant) and appears to be a Boy George devotee based on apparel and make-up, and Sinead is the closest in age to Martin and his mortal enemy. Thus Martin's need for another guy in the house. Martin is the typical nerdy, picked-on kid, but he is so happy about it and accepting of his place in the world that he is truly a loveable loser. Without the TV series, the book would seem rather annoying, but without the book, the TV series feels like it's missing a few pieces. Though I grabbed this book from the Middle School LMC, the show is more adult-oriented and the book has some language/innuendo issues.
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Awards

Irish Book Award (Winner — 2014)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2014

Physical description

5.12 inches

ISBN

1447270959 / 9781447270959

Barcode

2157

Other editions

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