Who wouldn't fancy being someone else when their mother is long-term ill, dad is a tightwad and a grouch, the twin sisters are annoying, and an accident has put paid to the X-Box? Daniel is a daydreamer of something a bit better than his current life. But when he gets a chance to be someone else – ie a role in the big school musical – why, admitting this is the last thing he wants to do in front of his mates. Perhaps it is a good thing it's a show about wanting to be someone and somewhere else – it's "The Wizard of Oz" – but for now Dan is determined to keep his mates in the dark about his new role…

This was a surprise to me – to have The Token School Show story of the franchise so early in the series, when most runs of books have it about Book Four or Five, when fresher ideas have been exhausted. But then, the author has a performing background, and it also surprised me in other ways – in being inventive, surprising, and differently-pitched to how I would have predicted. Dad is allowed to be a horrid character due to his understandable stress, the kids at school Dan lies to are allowed to be really bad friends – the fact is, by the time Dan has said and not said several things he's not too likeable, either, but the telling of this is never too unsubtle and blunt, and things do manage to sustain our empathy and sympathy for him, however selfish and needy and lying he manages to be.

As such it's a quick read containing much conflict and realistic argument, as opposed to the bickering for bickering sake other authors can saddle us with. Dan's dilemma is nicely evoked, all told. It is a woke telling of all this – a minor character has two mothers, and of course Dorothy is a girl in a wheelchair. But principally it is to show split loyalties in a world where kids want the latest this, that, the other – whether it be freshest new game or hippest new friend. These overly-aware, too-judgemental kids are very realistic, and Dan finding his path through their minefield certainly makes for a four star read.

A warm, realistic portrayal about moving up to secondary school. Daniel is such a likeable character and his ups and downs are tenderly portrayed as he navigates the challenges of fitting in, whilst also being true to himself and coping with the stress of his home life.

A great read for 8-11 year olds, with a satisfying mix of empathy, humour and tension.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this title.

I'm really excited about Lisa Williamson's new series and her work in general.

What I think will resonate most for many children (and adults) reading this book is just how excruciating the process of trying to 'keep up' with the popular or more well-off kids is. Main character Daniel is different to many children his age, not only because he can't afford to replace his broken X-box or eat fast food every day with his friends, but more importantly because of his home responsibilities.

But Dan does find a source of light in this story -- something just for himself amid the many things he feels like he has to do to please others: theatre. I won't reveal any further, but what I can say is that Dan grows so much throughout this story. I felt like I wanted to give him a massive bear hug by the end of it.

As an adult, I also appreciated how Williamson describes the adults in Daniel's life. I loved how the teachers never spoke down to Daniel, and how their work truly was to guide him on his journey. I also loved the honest portrayal of parenthood and how parents are only human too.

A massive thank you to Guppy Books, Lisa Williamson and NetGalley for giving me the chance to review this book.

“I’ve finally figured out that no one’s life is one hundred percent perfect”

If ever there’s a message for the current ‘social media’ generation, it’s got to be that. And that being kind can make a BIGG difference in someone’s day.

From the outside, it would be easy to assume that Daniel is getting on fine at Bigg Academy: he’s got a group of mates to play football and Xbox with. But he doesn’t have the latest trainers and is always short of cash to pay for after school treats.

And behind closed doors, life isn’t easy. His Mum has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and his Dad is working all the hours he can trying to make ends meet as well as juggling all the balls of family life. And that means his parents rely on young Dan to mind his troublesome younger sisters: picking them up from school, entertaining them, and often making sacrifices.

Dan has so many demands on him: from his parents, his teachers, his friends, his sisters and now he’s found the one thing he wants to do: be in the school play. But whilst he’s treading the boards, everything else is unravelling behind the scenes.

This is an incredible story of navigating the high school social hierarchy, peer pressure, bullying (and bullying done by so-called friends), and friendships. It’s a story about being a young carer, about the pressures of having responsibilities at a young age and about having to grow up when you’re still young.

This book is tender hearted and funny: it’s not all weighty subjects which is an incredibly feat from the writer. I have no doubt that Daniel’s story will resonate with many and in some ways it reminded me of The Final Year in that it is a perfect windows and mirrors about a young child whose life is harder than it could/should be.

I have loved both books in the Bigg School series which shares the stories of “ordinary kids, extraordinary lives”, and I can’t wait to read about the next extraordinary kid!

Another brilliant Bigg School book from Lisa Williamson.

Daniel doesn’t have the easiest time and since starting high school in September, his life has been trickier than ever. Navigating the social hierarchy and feeling inadequate without the ‘right’ trainers is only tolerable when you have great friends who support you and have your back, even if there is a lot of banter involved, its just a bit of fun, right?

Daniel’s mum has been suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) since giving birth to his twin sisters, Nia and Nelly, five years ago. His dad is carrying the household and under pressure due to job cuts at work. Money is tight and Dad is super stressed, he has no one to talk to and his pride stops him from asking for outside help so Dan has, without his father realising, become a young carer. He looks after the twins and also his mum when he has a flare up and this is often at the expense of spending time with his friends and prevents him from being a typical eleven year old.

When Ms Whitfield, his drama teacher, asks him to audition for the school play, he sees it as something for him and not for everyone else. He surprises himself with how good he is at acting and finds a level of acceptance from his fellow cast members that he could never expect from his ‘friends’. He looks forward to the escapism that ‘being someone else’ brings. There is double drama waiting though, when his friends find out that he is in a play, will they support him? Plus when his rehearsals clash with his many other commitments, will Dad stop his theatrical debut in its tracks?

We read this book with children age 9+ and we all gave it a wholehearted 5 star rating!

Thank you to NetGalley and Guppy Publishing for sending this eBook for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

Fab book. Perfect for year 5 - 7 and dealing with some important issues around bullying and being yourself.

I received a free copy of, Bigg School:Double Drama, by Lisa Williamson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Daniel Littleton gets the main part in his school play, he has a lot of emotions about it though. Daniel has to watch his twin siblings, and does not have time for a normal life. Daniels parents are not always as supportive as they can be. I enjoyed this read, it had a lot of big emotions in it. Daniel is a great kid.

Thank you Guppy Books and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I think a lot of kids, parents and teachers who read this story, will relate to it. This story felt so real and I went through a roller coaster of emotions while reading it. And I could not stop reading!! I have 0 negative remarks, this was great from start to finish. The fun cover did make me think this would be a less intense and more shallow/fun read but that only made me appreciate the story even more. Don’t get me wrong, there are fun parts too but also so much more than that.

Daniel or Dan, is finding himself throughout this story. He is struggling with having less means and more responsibilities than most of his friends. His mom is ill (I loved how her illness was explained and that we got to “see” her good days too), his dad is grumpy and his little twin sisters are annoying.

Dan is frustrated because of all that and he doesn’t have the right friends, doesn’t understand his dad and is soon about to explode emotionally but then there’s this amazing teacher, really talking with his dad and finding and embracing a hobby he’s passionate about and new amazing friends.

I related, I felt frustrated, I felt shocked and I laughed and cried while reading this and I’m so happy with the way it ended. Don’t hesitate picking this book up, you will not regret it for a second.

This is a book about fitting in and finding yourself. The scenarios and the characters all seem very realistic. It is a story that a lot of children will connect with.