Description
What world record would you like to break? The biggest slice of cake eaten in one go? The highest trampoline bounce? The most socks put on one foot? This hilarious middle-grade novel from the author of How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five is perfect for fans of Nat Amoore and Tim Harris.
'That's the thing about the Big Book of Records. There's a record for everyone. Anyone can earn a place in it if they just try hard enough.'
Sam is a kind and thoughtful eleven-year-old, but he thinks he's not that great at anything. His sister, Ava, is a soccer star and his best friend, Vihaan, is an award-winning artist. The one thing Sam is good at is knowing all about the extraordinary feats in the Big Book of Records.
When Sam is set a class project about a moment he's proud of, he can't think of anything and takes inspiration from his favourite book. He knows he'll be proud of himself if he can break a world record!
But breaking a world record isn't easy. And things get even harder when someone close to Sam needs his help and he must decide - will he be good? Or be the best?
Review
Sam’s favorite book is the Book of Records. Sam and his best mate, Vihaan, love looking through it and trying to attempt some of the records. They always end up in fits of laughter.
When Sam's class teacher sets a project to present the moment that each student is most proud of, Sam can’t think of anything that he is proud of. His little sister, Ava, is amazing at soccer and is always getting awards. Vihaan is a brilliant artist and has already won an award, but all Sam knows about are records from his book. He decides that the best thing to do is to break a record and then he can use that for his project!
But breaking world records is much harder than it looks, and everything he tries he can’t do. That is until he finds a record for the most scoops of ice cream on a single cone. As he practices with his neighbour George, using sand instead of ice cream, he breaks the record. Now he just needs to do it in front of witnesses and he can send it in to be verified!
He gets Waleed from the ice cream van to sponsor him and is all set for Saturday morning to break the record. George promised he would be there, but he is missing. When Sam can hear that George needs help but no one else can, what will Sam do? Will he finish his world record attempt, or help his friend?
This is a book that will be much loved. It is full of fun characters and all the ups and downs that happen with friendships and families. Sam is kind, helpful and resourceful and uses all his determination to be a world record breaker. It would be a great book to share as a literacy circle book with lots of laughs and many great ideas to explore.
Highly recommended for all in upper primary.
Teacher Notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
