Praise for The Heroic Truths of Neil Peel and Neil Peel’s Holiday

HOW TO ENCOURAGE RELUCTANT READERS TO READ #HONESTREVIEW

Reading The Heroic Truths of Neil Peel reminded me of my experience of reading Adrian Mole. Like Adrian, Neil is far from perfect, yet he is relatable and has an authenticity that will attract readers of all ages. Neil has an incredible knack of putting his foot in things and being a little too honest. He has neuroses like everyone and is constantly tormented by his evil older sister, Lemony. He has two good friends, Stephen and Grub, who attempt to help him navigate his way through the first year at his new secondary school, Titfield. Neil also has to deal with some worrying bullying incidents and there is a serious message here, which will undoubtedly help other young people going through a similar experience. All the characters are realistic and memorable, and the dialogue is particularly astute. The snippets of family life are pure genius. I feel that the main strength is the comedy, a cheeky and relatable comedy, which runs throughout the entire book, with much of it leading to laughs-out-loud. This aspect is something that secondary school students will absolutely love. You can really tell that it is written by a teacher and a teacher who is an adept observer of school life, as well as the relationships between teachers and pupils and pupils and their peers.

In-keeping with the short attention span of most 11+ students, the action flows swiftly with short chapters and the language is appropriate for the age group since it does not patronise or confuse. Reviews on Amazon frequently relate how reluctant readers have finally found a book that they cannot put down and I think this is one of the key strengths of the book. It is good enough to encourage the most unwilling student to read. Although, an initial read of the book’s blurb might suggest that it is more appropriate for boy rather than girl readers, I have to say that I think girls will be able to identify with many aspects of the book, especially the comedic element. My daughter is 14 and usually sticks to High School teen dramas or thrillers. She was reluctant to read the book at first, until she discovered how funny it was.

Read the full review from writeonejaleigh.blog here.

July 26, 2021

I found my child actually reading for once!

I bought this book for my 12 year old son, who despite my best efforts, is a very reluctant reader. However, this book worked its magic and for once my son read without me having to prompt him. When it came to finishing the book, he couldn’t put it down and crept downs stairs a couple of hours after bed time, proudly announcing he had finished the lot!
I highly recommend this book to any fun loving, cheeky school boy – the humour really appealed. We’re both now hoping for a sequel!

February 3, 2021

Laugh out loud good read

I enjoyed this book. I bought it for a friend’s son and I am glad I decided to read it to see what it was like. The opening lines of “Come on, Neil. Own up. Honesty is the best policy” sets the scene for the laugh out loud funny story of Neil Peel, an 11 year old who always tells the truth and who is just about to start at a new school.

Carefully observed relatable moments of Neil’s home and school life are interwoven with memorable characters, adventure and a playful, cheeky edge. I hope there are more books planned.

April 5, 2021

Whet my literary appetite

As a 33 year old man this had me in stitches, it brought out the inner teenager in me. It reminded me of the good old days at school, the long car drives to visit relatives and friendships. Fingers crossed there’s another.

July 6, 2021

 A good buy.

I am always on the lookout for new authors and bought this for a teenage relative for Christmas. He loved it so I asked to borrow it and wasn’t disappointed. The characters are really well-drawn, there are many laugh-out-loud moments and there is a satisfying ending. Please write another one, author!

January 19, 2021

 Get your copy NOW!

This book is genuinely hilarious! I’ve struggled to find comedy books that can actually make me laugh and this is amongst those very few that had me laughing till my sides hurt. I love this book so much! I definitely recommend it to kids and adults alike!

July 16, 2021

Made me laugh so much!

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Exciting and fun all packed in one. An excellent read. I loved diving into the world of Neil Peel!

March 24, 2021

What a great read!

I massively enjoyed reading this book and found myself laughing out loud many times. Its hard to find books that are genuinely funny for 12 year olds. I would definitely recommend it. I really hope there is sequel and can’t wait to dive in to the world of Neil Peel again.

May 7, 2021

Buy this book if your kids like to laugh! 😀

If your tween or young teen is looking for a book that will make them laugh, this is it! There’s an authenticity to The Heroic Truths of Neil Peel which might make some parents raise their eyebrows, but therein lies the book’s real strength. Kids recognize the characters.

Kids know that most kids are not nearly as sweet as they might appear to adults, particularly some kids. Lemony, Neil’s older sister, is diabolical; a thoroughly unpleasant character no one would want to live with, (I remember a couple of friends’ older sisters who fit that bill), and his pals and their tormentors are boys who will probably remind you of some of the kids you knew growing up.

The author does a great job of making the story about the kids, instead of focusing too heavily on parents and other adults, (which a lot of tween and young teen books seem to do).

If your child isn’t keen on reading and you’re looking for ways to spark their interest, this book is a a good bet. The Heroic Truths of Neil Peel might be enough to convince them that there is a lot of fun to be found between the pages of a book. There are lots of jokes, (which are often crude but not offensive), and it’s easy to read. If they like this book, they might decide to check out others. Win! Win!

June 7, 2021

Highly recommended to children and parents alike!

I am often put off by a review which says a book is ‘laugh aloud funny’ but overhearing some pupils raving about this book, I was keen to see if I agreed. I most certainly did ‘laugh out loud’ several times reading this book, which is why I recommend this to parents and children. The characters and scenes depicted are so true to life and I especially loved the scene when Neil is paired with a girl he ‘fancies’ in a French lesson – so well observed. I am please to report a sequel is in the pipeline and there are plenty of fans awaiting eagerly to discover what Neil gets up to in the summer holidays. Can’t wait!

June 15, 2021

A great read- a real pleasure

Although I am probably slightly older than the target audience for this book having entered my sixth decade I hugely enjoyed Ben Dixon’s yarn set at Titfield School. It took me back to being a naughty 12 year old with scabs on my knees and a smirk on my face to a time when teachers and schoolmates all had nicknames- although none as wonderful as Corpse Breath- to a time when people impersonated teachers and where the ability to fart and belch were prized skills.
Dixon’s book took me back to that time when I used to laugh until my sides hurt or a little bit of wee slipped out. His book has charm and that edge of naughtiness which will appeal to the rascal in us all. I read the book six months ago and still wince and giggle about his description of the boy getting ‘his spuds mashed’ when he gets injured in his nether regions.

January 22, 2021

I am now on a higher plain of existence

This life changing read was naughty and for cheeky boys. I read this In my school library and between exams. This great read helped me through them. Great character arc. But now the only thing I can think of is Neil Peel…..help. Sometimes I think I am Neil Peel. Très bon.

May 17, 2021

Hysterical! A classic.

I bought this book after a recommendation from a friend whose 14 yo son had loved it. It was to be a present for my own son, but I read it first. It was really funny from start to finish but believable too. So many incidents such as the parents coming to bed tipsy on Christmas Eve had me in stitches. The boy humour throughout was so refreshing, but there was plenty to keep adult interest, and there was plenty of heart in Neil’s actions.
His sister, Lemony, was my favourite character. She was horrible!
This deserves to be a classic. I hope there’s a follow-up.

January 20, 2021

YOU NEED THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE!!!

I tried to give it 7 stars!!! This book is so funny. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to laugh out loud. I absolutely loved it, i even read it a second time, I don’t do that very much. This book is awesome!

September 30, 2021