What This Book Is About
Finn Jones loves his small town. The crooked high street, the crumbling clock tower, the chip shop that's been there since forever—it's not glamorous, but it's home. So when a massive corporation announces plans to demolish the entire town center and replace it with a gleaming shopping mall, Finn is devastated. Worse, most of the adults seem ready to just accept it.
Finn isn't. Together with his best friends—quick-witted Daisy and endlessly optimistic Maya—he hatches a plan to save the town by organizing a spectacular community talent show to raise awareness and funds. The only problem is that everything that can go wrong does: the venue falls through, potential sponsors laugh in their faces, Finn's family is falling apart at the seams, and the talent show acts range from questionable to catastrophic.
Simon James Green writes with the kind of humor that makes you laugh out loud on the bus—sharp, warm, and never mean. Beneath the comedy is a big-hearted story about standing up for what you love, the messy reality of family, and discovering that the people around you are dealing with their own hidden struggles. It's funny, it's moving, and your child won't want to put it down.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
A standout B1 book that builds English fluency through laughter. Three reasons this book earns its place on the list.
First, British humor and colloquial English expose students to informal registers they'll encounter in social situations, movies, and online content. Phrases like "went pear-shaped," "taking the mickey," and "proper gutted" appear naturally in dialogue—the kind of everyday English that textbooks don't teach but real communication requires. For students at international schools in Singapore, where British English is the predominant standard, this exposure is especially valuable.
Second, the themes of community action and grassroots organizing connect directly to IB MYP Service & Action requirements. Students see characters their own age identifying a problem, planning a response, and executing it—even when everything goes wrong. It's a practical model of civic engagement wrapped in an entertaining story, and teachers regularly use books like this to inspire student-led projects.
Third, at Lexile ~760L this is a light, fast-paced read that builds confidence for B1 students. The short chapters, punchy dialogue, and constant humor create momentum that keeps even reluctant readers moving forward. Students who finish this book feel like they "can read in English," which is the single most important mindset shift for long-term language development.
Reading Level Guide
Challenging at A2. Try The Fourteenth Goldfish or El Deafo first to build up reading skills.
Perfect difficulty. Funny enough to keep you reading, challenging enough to keep you growing.
Easy and fun at B2. Enjoy it as a light read, then try Prisoners of Geography for something weightier.
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.