🖤Writing Style

As a middle-grade book, this was an easy read and I expected nothing less. This made for a fast read.

🖤Characters

The characters were so cute. Lucy and Sandesh are absolutely hilarious. They are so loveable. Aunty Sheila is forever entertaining us.

🖤Story/Plot

"You've got to see things up close to appreciate what they are"

This book focuses on the topic of mental health, and specifically depression. I love how Jenny took such a heavy topic and brought it to a middle-grade book in such a delicate way. I loved how in the journey of trying to "fix her mom" and make her happy, it made Lucy realise that she needed to work on her own happiness. And that she had her own issues to deal with.

This book talks alot about friendships and building them and we see that in the journey that Lucy and Sandesh are on to break a world record. This books is hilarious. I laughed so hard that I had tears streaming down my face. This is the kind of book I want my daughter to grow up reading.

There is so much to learn from this book. Teaching kids about mental health and that a person suffering from depression is not necessarily a result of how you make them feel. This book teaches you to appreciate what you have and those around you. It teaches about kindness.

I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone. 🖤

This was a fun read, packed full of humour that made it a joy to read. I just know that this would sit perfectly in any KS2 classroom and would engage a wide range of readers.

Jenny has written a wonderful story that somehow manages to make a story about mental health hilariously funny and heart warming. I absolutely loved this one.

I absolutely adored Jenny's first book, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, it was one of my favourite books of 2020, so I could not wait to read The Incredible Record Smashers.

Jenny Pearson has created another fantastic story packed full of laugh-out-loud moments. But the book also packs an emotional punch and sensitively explores the effect a parent’s mental illness can have on a child.

Lucy is excluded from school just two days before the end of summer term and she misses the end of Year 6. Bully Billy Griggs, made an extremely unkind comment about Lucy’s ability to fix things but not her Mum, who suffers from severe depression. Lucy lashes out and punches Billy on the nose!

Lucy is collected from school by Auntie Sheila, who she must stay with because her Mum’s mental health has deteriorated once again. Whilst Lucy is of course sad, she is determined to find a way of ‘fixing’ her Mum. After finding a photograph, Lucy is adamant that Paul Castellini, Record Smashers TV host and a singer, is the answer. Lucy, alongside her friend Sandesh, devise a plan and set off on a hilarious quest to break a Guinness World Record, appear on the Record Smashers show and meet Paul Castellini. Will this really be the key to her Mum’s happiness?

Once again, Jenny has the blend of hilarity and heart spot-on - I was absolutely howling at the watermelon scenes! I grew up watching Record Breakers on kids TV so this element of the plot felt very nostalgic for me and the secondary story about the texts Sandesh receives from a hapless band of criminals on his car boot sale mobile phone is pure comedy gold but even the clueless criminals manage to tug at your heart-strings.

I will be eagerly awaiting Jenny's next novel, her writing and humour is so on-point with her young audience and adults alike.

This is another smash hit from Jenny Pearson! Lucy is desperate to help her mum who has depression and has been sent to a special hospital. With her friend, they desperately try to set a new record for the TV program Record Smashers!

I really liked how the book was funny but still had parts that made me think about how we look after each other and how sometimes we need to wait for people to be fixed and just be there for people.

I would really recommend this to everyone in the class!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Usborne in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by this author, so I went into it not quite knowing what to expect. What I discovered was a story that is funny, realistic and painfully (in a good way, if that makes sense) accurate in its depiction of living with a parent who has depression. I'm so pleased there are books like this available which sensitively discuss mental health and reach children who might not feel ready to talk about what is going on in their lives but will appreciate knowing they are not alone.

The book follows the story of Lucy and her best friend Sandesh. Lucy has a talent for fixing things and loves tinkering around with broken objects to make them work again. Her patient and loyal friend Sandesh knows pretty much every World Record there is and can provide obscure facts and information for pretty much any situation. When Lucy finds out about the Record Smashers TV show, she sees the perfect opportunity to combine these skills and find a way to fix her mum. Along the way, Lucy and Sandesh discover that somethings aren't quite as simple to fix as others and even the best laid plans can go wrong!

As someone who grew up with a mum that had depression, I thought the character of Lucy was spot on. The reluctance to let others know that your family is struggling, the guilt that it's somehow your fault and the anger (immediately followed by more guilt) that the person you love can't just be happy. All of these things were beautifully represented, but nothing was overplayed so that every action and emotion felt genuine. With all the heavy subject matter, this could have been a very serious and sombre book, but actually it's incredibly sweet and funny. The characters of Sandesh and Aunty Sheila bring excitement and joy to the story and Lucy's interal thoughts and commetary are also often hilarious. I also loved the inclusion of bizarre World Record facts to start every chapter.

As I was reading along, I was concerned about how the ending would be handled. I didn't want it to seem like there was a quick fix for something as compex as depression but equally, I didn't want the ending to be more sadness and frustration. I needn't have worried. The ending is perfect. It made me cry. It said everything that needed to be said and I hope that anyone who is going through a situation like Lucy's will have the opportunity to say those words and have those words said to them.

This book should be read by people who like funny stories, heart-warming stories, realistic stories that tackle real issues. It should be available in all KS2 classrooms because you never know what someone is really going through and who might need to hear what this book has to say.

The Incredible Record Smashers was a natural first choice for me to read, because I love the author Jenny Pearson and her first book - The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates - was just brilliant!

Lucy's mum suffers with clinical depression and has to go into hospital, during a particularly difficult time.

Whilst there, Lucy stays with her 'Aunty Sheila' (really just her mums best friend!) and decides to go on a mission to make her mum happy once and for all!

Enter Sandesh. Whilst staying with his grandparents while his parents are away with work, him and Lucy spend the summer trying to decide on a record they can smash that will ultimately land them on a new TV show - all in search of Lucy's mums happiness!

With hilarious warnings and Guinness World Records facts throughout, this book was heart and humour in equal amounts and left me wanting to cry and laugh at the same time most of the way through 🙈

The subject of mental health was so brilliantly approached in a way that children could relate too, with kindness and friendship being common themes throughout.

I don't want to give too many spoilers away, but it was a brilliant ending and I can't rave about this book enough!!

Its a must read for every child and adult and I just know it's going to win lots of awards like Freddie Yates did 😃

The Incredible Record Smashers is a wonderful, fast-paced, adventure about friendship, family and finding the good in people. Jenny Pearson has created a marvellous story packed full of laugh-out-loud moments. Sensitively balanced with the effect a parent’s Mental Health difficulties can have on a child, told in an age-appropriate way.

The story starts with Lucy, who has been excluded from school just two days before the end of her time in Year 6. Following Lucy’s presentation, classmate Billy Griggs makes an extremely unkind comment about Lucy’s ability to fix things but not her Mum. Lucy is angry and hurt, as her Mum suffers from severe depression and reacts by punching Billy Griggs on the nose!

Lucy is collected from school by her Auntie Sheila. We learn that her Mum’s Mental Health has deteriorated once again, she needs to be cared for and so Lucy must stay with Auntie Sheila. Whilst Lucy is of course sad, she is determined to find a way of ‘fixing’ her Mum. After finding a photograph, Lucy is adamant that Paul Castellini, Record Smashers TV host and a singer, is the key to making her Mum happy again. Lucy, alongside her friend Sandesh, devise a plan and set off on a hilarious quest to break a Guinness World Record, appear on the Record Smashers show and meet Paul Castellini. But is this really the answer and can Lucy 'fix’ her Mum?

Jenny Pearson has a fantastic style of writing, there is comic chaos, plus endearing and likeable characters. Readers are brought along on the exciting journey, where they will undoubtedly feel anticipation with every page to find out what happens next in this truly engaging story. The blend of hilarity and the important topic of Mental Health is perfect, showing clearly that Jenny Pearson is a brilliant author and teacher, who clearly understands her middle-grade audience.

Thank you Usborne Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Incredible Record Smashers by Jenny Pearson.

A fast paced wee book full of great dialogue and the unlikely but exciting way a young girl copes with and tries to deal with her mother's depression. Highly entertaining.

I loved Jenny Pearson’s debut book, The Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, that was released last year - it was one of my top fiction reads of 2020. So you can imagine my utter joy when I was given early access to her brand new book…The Incredible Record Smashers.

Lucy loves fixing things, it is one of her favourite things to do when she gets to spend time with her ‘aunty’ Sheila. Lately, Lucy has been spending quite a lot of time at aunty Sheila’s as her mum is often sad and is not able to care for her. It is the most recent of these bouts of sadness that sees Lucy back with her not-real-aunty for the start of the summer holidays. Lucy is desperate to ‘fix’ her mum and the opportunity presents itself after she finds a photo of a smiley mum and a pop heartthrob from the 80’s. The pop-star is none other than Paul Castellini, the head judge on new TV talent show Record Smashers. All Lucy needs to do is come up with a record-breaking attempt that is worthy of a TV appearance and then she can ask Paul round for tea and then mum will be happy again. And Lucy, with the help of friend Sandesh, is determined to do whatever it takes to make it happen…

Jenny Pearson is a primary school teacher and her knowledge of what gets kids reading shines through in what is another heart-warming, funny and eventful read. It is big on adventure, big on laughs, big on world record-breaking attempts and explores very big issues. Pearson seamlessly weaves emotional moments into a fast-paced and funny read that had me smiling from start to finish and will help all readers to understand that it is one-hundred percent OK to not feel OK.

Amidst record attempts involving kumquat catching and hurdling in flippers, Pearson sensitively looks at the effects on a child of a parent who is battling a mental health issue, in this case depression. Through Lucy, she explores feelings, confused emotions and efforts to help. Conversations on mental health are becoming more prevalent in primary school classrooms and books like this are the perfect stimulus for opening up discussions. Children need to see themselves and their situations represented in books and I’m sure that many readers will find comfort and strength from Lucy and her mum.

The supporting cast of characters are some of my absolute favourites. Aunty Sheila is a bright beacon of hope - both in the clothes that she wears and her larger than life personality. And Sandesh is the friend that everyone needs. Despite dealing with his own issues - he is missing that close to connection to his parents who work away a lot - he is an endless bundle of positivity and helps Lucy understand what the true meaning of friendship is.

Full of heart, laughs and plenty of record breaking attempts. Jenny Pearson has nailed it!

Recommended for 9+.

With thanks to Jenny Pearson and Usborne for the advanced reader copy that was received via Netgalley. The Incredible Record Smashers is due for publication on 29th April 2021.

It's firmly cemented Jenny as one of my favourite funny authors to recommend and I can't wait for this to join Freddie as one of my most heavily recommended books in work (if we ever reopen).

In both books, what's wonderful is the way she takes a sensitive subject (in Freddie grief, here mental health) which could be serious, heavy or difficult and writes it into a story so full of warmth and hilarity that it's impossible to read without a smile on your face.

Here, we meet Lucy who's staying with her Aunty Sheila while her mum's in hospital. She loves Sheila and enjoys their time fixing things, car booting and eating fizzy yoghurt and kale (OK maybe not the last bit) But, she wishes her mum would get better and be happy again, so she could stop staying with Sheila sporadically and stay at home with her mum.

Spurred on by a chance find at a car boot sale, she decides to try and get onto new TV show Record Smashers, in a bid to make her mum happy again.

So, along with new friend, world record fanatic and assistant co-performer the always interesting, never boring Sandesh, she sets out to find a Guinness World Record to break.

For those of you familiar with Freddie Yates, you'll be able to guess at the hilarity this leads to. After a bashing from Wilbur the watermelon, a one hundred metre hurdle involving flippers and flamingoes and a near-death encounter with a squirrel, they finally find their act. And some suitably show-stopping costumes to wear for it.

There's no stopping them now. Unless of course the two criminals on Sandesh's tail have anything to do with it...

Its so clever how Jenny writes such real and moving moments into a story so full of silliness and fun. Lucy's emotions and our glimpses into her life with a mum who's sometimes sunshine and sometimes asleep are so well-depicted, as are her muddled thoughts and feelings on why her mum isn't happy and how this affects her.

And there's also her budding friendship with Sandesh, who is so lovely! They're a great pair and I really rooted for them. I loved Sandesh's World Record facts and the way we got one for each chapter header too - such a fun added extra.

As ever, there was loads to laugh about for both adults and children, but I have to admit giving an extra loud giggle to "Competitors Ready!" before spending quite a lot of time shouting "Contestants rrrrready! Gladiators rrrrready!" in a poor Scottish accent. And of course I was singing the theme tune to Record Breakers throughout.

Fast-paced, funny and full of heart this is a brilliant follow up to last year's debut and I'm thrilled to see there's another book from Jenny on the way!

I have become an incredibly huge fan of Jenny Pearson and her writing style. I love her ability to combine complicated issues with hints of humour. I absolutely loved Freddie Yates so I was awfully excited to obtain an advanced copy of her latest book thanks to NetGalley!

Lucy has a passion for fixing things. Unfortunately, Lucy finds that the one thing she really wants to fix, she isn’t able to. Her Mum is sad. Really sad. And she needs to go away for a while to get help.

Meanwhile, the country is filled with excitement about a new talent show called “Record Smashers” hosted by 80s musician and heartthrob, Paul Castellini.

Lucy is convinced this man holds the key to her Mums problems and to get to him she’s going to need to be able to smash a record.

With the help of Sandesh (Lucy’s best friend) they embark on a quest to break a world record, in the hope that they can help Lucy’s mum rediscover her happiness. The two friends attempt to break many records involving watermelons, pegs, flippers and many more.

In a previous review of Jenny Pearson’s “The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates” I was full of praise for her writing style. I love it. Just reading it solo, you know it’s going to be a pleasure to read aloud to a classroom of 30 children. So much to discuss. So much to laugh at. So much to share. March 4th can’t come quick enough. My class will love this.

Thank you Jenny Pearson and please keep them coming.

Please.

THEME: Comedy, Mental Health Awareness, Adventure

RATING: 🦉🦉🦉🦉

Lucy’s skill is fixing objects, a skill she has learnt from Auntie Sheila. When she misses the last two days of year 6 after being suspended for punching a classmate who suggests she should “fix her mum”, it is Auntie Sheila who arrives to collect her, and with whom she stays while Mum goes for some much needed therapy. But Billie’s words have had an impact on Lucy and she determines to find some way of making her mum happy. Stumbling across an old photo of her smiling Mum with a celebrity who is about to host a series called Record Smashers, Lucy thinks she has found her solution. Aided and abetted by piano playing, Guinness World Record loving Sandesh from her class, she sets about finding a record that she could smash. When they eventually – and secretly – set off for an audition for the show, a hilarious adventure ensues.
The reader can instantly empathise with Lucy through her frank first person narration, and Sandesh’s irrepressible positivity and cheerfulness renders him ever more endearing as a strong friendship develops between the two. The author is a master of dialogue, and the exchanges between characters are funny and believable. The ever present issue of Mum’s depression is treated with sensitivity due to Lucy’s deep affection for her mother, and her eventual acceptance that there is no quick fix adds poignancy to the novel.
Fast paced, lively and full of humour, this book is a celebration of family love, strong friendships and finding the good in people: even the “baddies” are well-intentioned! Entertaining, exciting, moving and genuinely funny, this is a book that leaves you with a great feeling of optimism and a belief in the goodness of humanity. I absolutely loved it and I am sure that the readers in our library will too.

Lucy's mum is sad again, so Lucy goes to stay with her Aunty Sheila. Whilst there, Lucy can do what she does best: fix things. But can she fix her mum?

Jenny Pearson has done it again! The Incredible Record Smashers is a brilliant MG read; it's genuinely funny, touching and relevant. The chapters are nice and short, and each one comes with a Guinness World Records fact! It skillfully discusses some big issues, mainly mental health, but in a way that is part of the story rather than the whole focus of it. It's also done from a child's point of view, which makes it that much easier for readers to identify with Lucy, Sandesh and their families. In short, this is a fantastic MG book that, even as an adult, is a truly enjoyable read. A must-have for 2021.

The Incredible Record Smashers is a funny, heart-warming smasher of a book. Mental health issues and the power of friendship are woven into a fabulous comic caper, with crazy record-smashing attempts, a dangerous squizzer attack and a brush with criminals... I loved the interplay between Lucy and Sandesh, and Aunty Shelia's quirky take on life. The canoe bed made me smile every time!

After the success of The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates last year, primary-teacher-turned-author Jenny Pearson is back with a new and hilarious tale of ordinary children on extra-ordinary adventures.

Life isn't easy for Lucy. Her mum has depression and is difficult to care for, often being unwell for long periods that leave Lucy needing the help of a family friend. Lucy is great at fixing broken objects, but wishes more than anything that she knew how to fix her mum. It becomes clear that mum might need some time to stay at a place that can help her, and Lucy goes to stay with Aunty Sheila for a while.

Aunty Sheila loves car boot sales and is larger than life, always treating Lucy with kindness and a sense of fun, but life there is not the same as being with mum. With the help of friendly neighbour Sandesh, Lucy comes up with a way to make things right again. It's an ambitious plan that involves meeting an 80s pop icon who was once acquainted with Mum, appearing on a TV show and smashing a world record - but as far as Lucy is concerned, no aim is too high when it comes to making her mum happy again. What follows is a humorous romp as Lucy and Sandesh search for a world record to smash with a range of hilarious consequences.

The humour is perfect for Key Stage 2 and the story also explores the subject of parental mental health issues in an age-appropriate way. This is a smasher of a story; the author knows her audience extremely well and pitches both the comic and more serious elements at just the right level. The relationships that Lucy forms with Aunty Sheila and Sandesh are lovely, and demonstrate how - while nothing can replace the closeness that Lucy craves with her mum - the warmth and loyalty of others can make the world of difference during hard times. This strand of the plot may serve as a valuable encouragement to children affected by similar issues that reaching out for or accepting support from others is sometimes the very best course of action.

Featured as a Spring 2021 Ones to Watch: https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/ones-to-watch-new-children-s-fiction-for-spring-2021.

I didn't think it was possible that I would enjoy this as much as Freddie Yates, but actually it was even better. Intending to dip in briefly, I found myself absorbed and devoured the whole book in one glorious sitting. One minute laughing, and another crying, this really is an excellent book. Jenny Pearson strikes the balance between humour and empathy. Surely books such as these will help to create a generation of empathetic readers. An absolute triumph of a book from a total genius of an author who shows such a Rep understanding of how young people think. Fabulous.

Brilliantly endearing with a huge dollop of humour.
I absolutely loved Jenny's first book which I initially heard about at a chance meeting at Durham Waterstones. This book, as with the first, sensitively deals with serious issues, which in this instance is around mental health.
Lucy's mum is 'sad' and all Lucy wants to do is get her mum back to a happy place and 'fix her'. Lucy discovers that her mum once had an enormous crush on someone who is now a celebrity and the host of the new TV show, Record Smashers. If only she can reunite her mum with her long lost 'source of happiness' then all will be well. Cue Lucy's mission to be a record breaker and get the chance to meet the host and possibly reunite him with mum. Ably assisted by her friend Sandesh, Lucy begins her record breaking attempts. What follows is a sequence of mishaps and what ifs until they strike it lucky. With days to spare they send in their entry and plan their adventure to London. What follows is just wonderful. Jenny has once again created a beautifully endearing tale with huge dollops of humour. At points drawn to hoots of laughter and others quiet reflection and tears. A definite recommended read for 2021.
Thank you to Usbourne and NetGalley for the eARC

Following the success of The Supermiraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, I was so looking forward to The Incredible Record Smashers from Jenny Pearson, and I was not disappointed!
Lucy is excellent at fixing things, but the one thing she wishes more than anything that she could fix is her mum, who suffers from bouts of sadness, where Lucy stays with her Aunty Sheila. While staying with Aunty Sheila, Lucy hatches a plan with her best friend Sandesh to find her mum’s happiness, convinced that it lies with pop star Paul Castellini, who now hosts a popular tv show hunting for world record smashers! Lucy sets about finding a record she can break, with help from Sandesh and hilarious results! But will Paul Castellini be the one to fix Lucy’s mum?
Every bit as witty and heart-wrenching as Freddie, Pearson has once again struck the perfect balance between a slapstick comedy adventure and an exploration of big emotions and important topics for a middle grade audience. I loved the scenes where Lucy and Sandesh tried hard to find a record to break and particularly loved the squirrel scene! A plethora of hilarious background characters support the action and adventure but I think my absolute favourite character was Aunty Sheila and her green hair scrunchie, particularly given her revelation right at the end! Brilliant!
It is SO important that children see themselves represented on a classroom bookshelf, but also that they have access to explore big feelings and topics such as mental health and depression, as they are so rarely spoken about with children. Pearson does not talk down to children about these vital issues, she instead wraps them in a witty story with relatable characters to give children a safe space to explore and feel. Her experience as a teacher shines through in her pitch, the friendship and dialogue between characters, and her understanding of her audience.
This belongs on every upper KS2 bookshelf, and every Secondary school library. And while you’re there, pick up a copy of Freddie and add him too – I can’t WAIT to read more from Jenny!
Thankyou to Usborne/Usborne Books at Home for my proof copy of this title.

I loved Freddie Yates but I think I enjoyed this even more.

Lucy’s mum is suffering from depression and is unable to look after Lucy for a while, so she goes to stay with mum’s best friend, Aunty Sheila. Sheila’s neighbours have their grandson Sandesh staying for the summer so the two children become friends.

Lucy’s greatest desire is to make mum happy and when she finds an old photo of her mum with an ageing pop star she thinks this might be the answer. Getting in touch with him is harder than she imagined though. However when they discover that he is to be the host of a new TV show showcasing world record breakers, the pair set out on a mission to find a world record to break in order to get themselves onto the show.

The book has just the right amount of humour and emotion. The author tackles the subject of mental health sensitively and whilst it is the motivating factor in the children’s adventure, it is the characters themselves who take centre stage. I particularly loved Aunty Sheila who is endearing and bonkers in equal measure.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.