“Freakout Island is a delight to read – by yourself or out loud. Loads of funny moments that will appeal to kids of all ages.”
Suzy Cato – Children’s television host
“Bonkers, batty and completely bananas, Freakout Island is a hoot!”
James Russell – author of the Dragon Brothers Trilogy
“My just turned 9 year old loved this book!”
Deb Lay – Book Reviewer
“If you can embrace nose-picking, bubblegum-popping and banana-yellow tracksuits; this book will give you a rollercoaster ride! We all loved it!”
Suse Jones, Wiltshire, UK
FREAKOUT ISLAND tells the story of five children who are tricked into visiting a wonderfully magical island, which quickly becomes a hilarious and unexpected disaster.
Ten-year-old Leo Wriggly enjoys the spoils of his parents’ unusual careers. Life as Professional Competition Winners has its perks. One enormous perk is a particularly lucky week that nets Mum and Dad a nice vacation for two. Unfortunately, that leaves Leo stuck at home with his old Aunt Margo.
A stickler for rules, Aunt Margo is none too pleased with Leo’s behavior. When she witnesses him swallowing his chewing gum, that’s the last straw. Off to Friendly Island she sends him until his parents return, but things are not all they seem on the island.
It doesn’t take long for Leo to discover Friendly Island isn’t so friendly after all. It’s a place where naughty children are sent to correct their disgusting behavior. Four other children arrive with him and soon unusual punishments are distributed, and the results are mind-boggling.
Harriet is cursed with a bird’s nest atop her head for her “crimes”. Felix literally loses his mind. Ricky is forced to spend eternity squawking like a parrot. Eden’s hands are made of glue. And poor Leo is now forced to live with massive bubbles blowing out of his butt for swallowing gum.
Can Leo save himself and his friends before the island’s Komodo dragon eats them for supper, or is their fate already sealed?
★
What the cool kids are saying about Freakout Island
“The first book my two boys have both 100% invested in outside of Roald Dahl.”
Dave Ward
*****
“I found the storyline and the main idea intriguing. The idea of getting sent to Freakout Island would be a dream and a nightmare at the same time. If I was one character in the book, I would be Leo Wriggly, because I like his habit; eating bubble gum. I think you should read this book, because it is funny, exciting, and if you like Paul Jennings, you’ll love this.”
Theo Key, 12
*****
Freakout Island is, put simply, a marvellous book. It seems to be made of a wonderful concoction of heart, humour, and sheer unfiltered happiness, all held together by a copious amount of pink bubble-gum. I laughed, gasped, and worried about the characters’ fates, and I loved every second of it.
Taylor Malmo
