What This Book Is About
A girl discovers that eating ice cream from her late grandad's old ice-cream van lets her travel through time. She uses it to go back and see him again.
That is the premise, and Tom Fletcher keeps it short: 112 pages, written to be finished in a sitting, funny on the surface with something warmer underneath.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
For A2-level readers (Grade 3), Brain Freeze is an ideal stepping stone for three reasons.
First, it's genuinely hilarious. Humour is the most powerful motivator for reluctant readers, and Tom Fletcher's comedy is perfectly pitched for this age group—silly enough to make kids laugh out loud, clever enough that it never talks down to them.
Second, at just 112 pages with short chapters, the book gives young readers the confidence boost of finishing a "real chapter book" quickly, building the reading stamina they need for longer novels.
Third, the story is about a grandchild and a grandparent, which is a subject children of this age think about more than adults expect. The idea of being able to go back and see a grandparent again needs no explaining to them.
Reading Level Guide
Building toward this book. Start with picture books or early readers to build confidence first.
Perfect difficulty. Short chapters and funny writing make it a page-turner.
A quick, comfortable read. Great for a fun afternoon but try longer novels for more challenge.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.