Shot, Boom, Score!

by Justin Brown

'Toby, if you get twenty wickets and ten tries before the end of the year, Mum and I'll buy you a new GameBox V3.' Can you believe it? One minute I'm in trouble for double-bouncing my sister and the next Dad is telling me I've got the new GameBox V3! And it's not even Christmas. Shot! Toby thinks this will be easy - after all, he gets Player of the Day all the time. But he hasn't reckoned on Malcolm McGarvy. McGarvy is one of the biggest kids in the school and he's got a huge scar which he got in a shark attack - he wears one of the teeth around his neck. You know McGarvy is near because you get goosebumps up your arms. And he's going to make sure Toby doesn't get that GameBox V3...

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

‘One of New Zealand’s highest profile creatives’ – The NZ Herald, 2018.

Justin Brown is a bestselling author and creative director. For the past 15 years, he hosted a top rating music radio show in Auckland. He has published 31 books for adults and children. Bowling Through India and Kiwi Speak were two of three bestsellers he had in a single year. In 2012 he won a notable books award for his junior novel Shot, Boom, Score!

In 2010 North and South named him Businessman of the Year.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Right, now, my boy.’ When Toby’s dad says these words, Toby knows he’s in trouble. But this time is different. Sure he just double bounced his big sister off the trampoline, and she has a broken arm to show for it – but Dad thinks Toby just needs something to focus on. Something to aim for.
Toby can’t believe his ears when Dad promises Toby a GameBox V3 if he can score 20 wickets and 10 tries in the following cricket and rugby seasons. Too easy!

Toby lives and breathes sports, can bowl top spinners with his eyes shut and score tries all day long. But then a new kid joins their class. (Someone as big as an adult with hairy caveman legs). Someone called Malcolm McGarvy.

A laugh out loud tale for all sports lovers! Cricket & rugby are key themes but Toby loves all sports, is loyal to his mates, and is a likeable character.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

very funny, easy read especially for boys 8 onwards. LOADS of sport and boy humour and practical joking.
the main character is in grade 5 Australia, maybe year 6 NZ. He is somewhat disorganised and irresponsible but likeable and his parents set him a goal to achieve in 2 sports in order to be bought a Gaming device. There's a resolution to bullying and nastiness from another boy and a lot about friendship. Close to diary format . Equally relevant for NZ and Australian readers as the author includes well known sportspeople from both countries.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year sports mad son loved this book as he recognised many of the sports players. Funny, age appropriate humour and short chapters make it an easy read.

[James Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute cracker of a book. Hugely funny, creative and ticked all the boxes with my youngsters. Cries out for a sequel, with Toby, Jonesy, Hughesy and Supermarket. Brilliant!