Susin Nielsen writes great books for children and in this one Wilbur has embarrassing moments that follow him to high school
How he navigates all that comes with school is well written

This is a really tremendous book, and not only for teenagers but also for "old" people like me. Susin Nielsen still knows how to write from the perspective of an adolescent and make it all completely authentic, humorous, moving (without getting corny) and unique.

"Tremendous Things" is a book about self-confidence and self-esteem. About understanding who you are and accepting you the way you are (but also with a little make-over to bring you, your hairstyle, your clothes and your body "up to date"). And last but not least it is also a book about friendships, in various shapes and forms.

A wonderful coming of age story!

Wilbur is not your traditional child: he has two mums, his best friend is an octogenarian (Sal), he is awkward and has no style. His first day of school is hilarious and he spends years trying to live down his mistake!

Imagine his surprise when his exchange student pairing leaves him hosting a visit with the beautiful Parisian, Charlie (Charlotte). Wilbur does not know where to start to impress her and slowly finds himself falling for her charm. With some help from Sal and other school friends, Wilbur has to learn how to love himself before he can even consider charming Charlie.

This book is so funny in places but also heartbreakingly painful as Wilbur grows up. I have not read anything else by this author but will definitely be exploring her back catalogue for other titles.

Wow I loved this book so much, I feel like I have been on a journey alongside Wilbur! I honestly could not out the book down and have ages both happy and sad years along the way!

Wilbur struggles to make friends at school and is teased by a nasty boy who he has to spend time with in band practice. Luckily Wilbur has a wonderful best friend, only he is in his 80s and his health is not in the best shape. Through his best friends encouragement Wilbur is able to make new friends and undergo a makeover to try and win over a girl!

A heartening story with something for everyone!

Tremendous Things is another wonderful, hilarious and poignant YA novel from the tremendous Susin Nielsen. The novel is ostensibly a teenage romcom about a Canadian teenager's efforts to woo his sophisticated French exchange student but this is also a coming-of-age story about friendship and learning to love and accept oneself.

We first meet Wilbur Alberto Nuñez-Knopf aged 11 when he is starting school for the first time having been home-schooled by his two mums ('the Mumps'). Wilbur undergoes an utterly cringeworthy experience on his first day which he struggles to live down, and he spends the rest of his schooldays addressed by his unfortunate initials and mercilessly teased about his 'Jeremiah'. However, there are still many good things in Wilbur's life and lots of people who care about him - not just the Mumps but also his 85-year-old neighbour, Sal, and his gay Iranian best friend Alex (though Wilbur is struggling to get used to Alex's boyfriend Fabrizio.)

When the French exchange arrives, Wilbur is immediately smitten with his exchange student, Charlie, but believes that she is out of his league, This leads Sal, Alex and Fabrizio to stage an intervention and gives Wilbur the impetus to start believing in himself before the return trip to Paris. Unfortunately, there are various other obstacles he will have to overcome along the way, and some surprising plot twists.

I found this novel an absolute hoot from start to finish. Nielsen's writing is consistently laugh-out-loud funny, including lots of anatomical humour which both teenagers and adults can appreciate. There are some more moving aspects to this story too, however, particularly in Wilbur and Sal's relationship. Nielsen also explores a wide range of teenage issues with a lightness of touch which is quite unusual in YA fiction: as well as normalising same-sex relationships, the novel explores ideas like transphobia, consent and body image but the treatment of these issues never feels heavy-handed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this novel to review!