What This Book Is About
A young girl discovers an old ice-cream truck hidden in her grandfather's garage. When she eats one of the mysterious frozen treats inside, something extraordinary happens: she's catapulted back in time to her grandfather's childhood. With each scoop, she travels to a different moment in his life, witnessing the adventures that shaped the man she loves but realizes she barely knows.
Tom Fletcher's Brain Freeze is a short, punchy, and genuinely funny story that wraps a warm emotional core inside a wild time-travel premise. The writing is fast-paced and packed with laugh-out-loud moments, but it also carries real heart—exploring themes of family, memory, and what it means to truly know someone. Originally written for World Book Day, it's designed to hook reluctant readers with its accessible length and irresistible humour, making it the kind of book a child can finish in a single sitting and immediately want to read again.
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 explores intergenerational relationships—a theme that aligns with UWC's emphasis on empathy and understanding different perspectives. Children naturally connect with the idea of discovering their grandparents' hidden past.
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.