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The Parent Agency
(The Blockbuster Baddiel Box)
by
A boy travels to an alternate world where kids get to choose their own parents in this zany, internationally bestselling adventure, which combines the be-careful-what-you-wish-for humor of The Chocolate Touch with the classic appeal of Roald Dahl.
Barry Bennett is sick of his parents. They’re boring, they’re too strict, and it’s their fault his name is Barry. So he makes a ...more
Barry Bennett is sick of his parents. They’re boring, they’re too strict, and it’s their fault his name is Barry. So he makes a ...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
May 3rd 2016
by HarperCollins
(first published October 9th 2014)
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Start your review of The Parent Agency
“What would you like for lunch?”
“Hmm,” said Barry. “Pizza?”
“Oh well, you’ve made a mistake there,” said Secretary One smugly. “We only ever eat gluten-free, free-range, nut-free, free-from-E-numbers, salt-and-sugar-free food.”
“Yes, our food is very, very free,” said Secretary Two. “Except, of course, it costs a lot of money.”
“Hmm,” said Barry. “Pizza?”
“Oh well, you’ve made a mistake there,” said Secretary One smugly. “We only ever eat gluten-free, free-range, nut-free, free-from-E-numbers, salt-and-sugar-free food.”
“Yes, our food is very, very free,” said Secretary Two. “Except, of course, it costs a lot of money.”
Edit: 18-12-2019. Decided to do a reread since it has been almost 5 years (!!!) since I last read it!
I didn't like the MC that much but it was still a very fun re-read and I may write a re-read review when I feel up to it/feel better.
My 3-star rating has mostly to do with our main character. Other than that the book was really interesting and I like the idea of a Parent Agency.
Let's start with the main character. I just didn't like him. I found him whiny and pathetic. Never once thinking about h ...more
I didn't like the MC that much but it was still a very fun re-read and I may write a re-read review when I feel up to it/feel better.
My 3-star rating has mostly to do with our main character. Other than that the book was really interesting and I like the idea of a Parent Agency.
Let's start with the main character. I just didn't like him. I found him whiny and pathetic. Never once thinking about h ...more
Review by Jack 9:6
The Parent Agency is a children’s comedy book, which in my opinion is suitable for all ages. The author is a comedian but the book does not have many laugh-out-loud moments, mostly using more subtle humour. The story follows a normal boy named Barry, who hates his parents. When he screams, “I hate my parents!” after being sent to his room he is teleported to a world where children choose their parents. He trials five sets of parents, one per day.
Barry chooses each trial set of ...more
The Parent Agency is a children’s comedy book, which in my opinion is suitable for all ages. The author is a comedian but the book does not have many laugh-out-loud moments, mostly using more subtle humour. The story follows a normal boy named Barry, who hates his parents. When he screams, “I hate my parents!” after being sent to his room he is teleported to a world where children choose their parents. He trials five sets of parents, one per day.
Barry chooses each trial set of ...more
Definitely interesting!!!
Feb 04, 2017
YABookReviews
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
10-14 year olds
Recommended to YABookReviews by:
My Mum
Title: The Parent Agency
Author: David Baddiel
Rating: 8/10
Would you like your parents? Do you wish you could choose your parents? Well, that is what Barry Bennet wanted, and he got it. Barry Bennet is a normal kid, who hates his parents. At first, this seems like a dream come true. But as he’s about to find out that, choosing a new mum and dad isn’t as easy as it sounds…
I loved this book, its funny, witty and has lots of heartwarming moments. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves futuri ...more
Author: David Baddiel
Rating: 8/10
Would you like your parents? Do you wish you could choose your parents? Well, that is what Barry Bennet wanted, and he got it. Barry Bennet is a normal kid, who hates his parents. At first, this seems like a dream come true. But as he’s about to find out that, choosing a new mum and dad isn’t as easy as it sounds…
I loved this book, its funny, witty and has lots of heartwarming moments. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves futuri ...more
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Barry is just an ordinary boy (he loves Lionel Messi and James Bond) but bored with his ordinary family that he wishes he could swap for another. He is particularly fed up with his younger twin sisters. It is a funny story that often twists your mind as sometimes you are not quite sure what’s going on! I found that, once I had started reading it, I didn’t want to stop. I recommend this book to people below the age of 12 but overall I give it a 9 out of 10.This
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
My twin boys (8yrs) declared this their favourite book of all time. We read it together at bedtime and every night they begged and pleaded for another chapter. A really enjoyable, funny and moreish read.
Aug 15, 2018
Marie the Librarian
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-books
It was times when it tried too hard to be funny and for me it was a bit predictable and easy to see what was going to happen. Its funny though and I think for sure that some kids will love it. Its just lacking something to make it a bit more complex, its all very straightforward in a way.
Bad book
This was a very interesting, funny book and i loved reading it. It has a nice storyline and i didn’t want to stop reading it! I recommend to ages 10-13
4.5 stars.
Well done, David! After a slightly wobbly start for me (silly immature jokes and lists), I quickly saw that this was going to turn into an excellent wish-fulfilment adventure for young readers.
Like the 90s films North (Elijah Wood), Barry decides that he has rubbish parents and wishes he had different ones. He hates his name, he hates them being tired and poor, he hates his younger sisters. Now whether or not the following chapters are somehow real or a dream doesn't really matter. It' ...more
Well done, David! After a slightly wobbly start for me (silly immature jokes and lists), I quickly saw that this was going to turn into an excellent wish-fulfilment adventure for young readers.
Like the 90s films North (Elijah Wood), Barry decides that he has rubbish parents and wishes he had different ones. He hates his name, he hates them being tired and poor, he hates his younger sisters. Now whether or not the following chapters are somehow real or a dream doesn't really matter. It' ...more
So near yet so far !!
This book has so much of potential but somehow things dint fall into place quite well.
The humor ... on which the entire book is based on, din't seem to work well at most of the places. The story line was very predictable but this book being a middle grade novel din't really need to have such an elaborate and complex plot. The first few chapters were very fun to read but as the story progressed, it became kind of repetitive. Some of the puns were really really good whil ...more
This book has so much of potential but somehow things dint fall into place quite well.
The humor ... on which the entire book is based on, din't seem to work well at most of the places. The story line was very predictable but this book being a middle grade novel din't really need to have such an elaborate and complex plot. The first few chapters were very fun to read but as the story progressed, it became kind of repetitive. Some of the puns were really really good whil ...more
In a world of sad, heavy, deep, sometimes disturbing adolescent books there's The Parent Agency, an ode to youth and its whimsy. This is a very good book. Because I'm an adult reading it I give it a three. I think that number will move up or down based on your preferences. If you don't enjoy whimsy or predictability then it will likely go down. If you like a bit of fun and silliness and lighthearted then it will go up.
The basic plot: Disgruntled Barry is totally disgusted by his own tired, bori ...more
The basic plot: Disgruntled Barry is totally disgusted by his own tired, bori ...more
After complaining about his boring, poor and strict his parents are, Barry is brought to an agency that gives him five chances to find new parents before he turns ten, with onimous consequences awaiting him should he not choose before time runs out...Baddiel will keep young readers entertained with his childish sense of humour, though the unlikeable characters and constant potty humour will drive off older audiences.
I THINK ITS A GOOD BOOK BECAUSE THE WORDS ARE REALLY IMAGINATIVE BUT THERE IS SOME ADULT HUMOUR IN PARTS OF THE BOOK, I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK BECAUSE ITS FUNNY AND HUMOUROUS. THE AGE TARGET THIS BOOK IS AIMED FOR IS YEAR 8 TO YEAR 10. WHEN YOUR IN THE BOOK YOU TRULY BELIEVE THAT YOUR HEAD IS IN THE BOOK AND YOU DONT WANT TO STOP READING JUST INCASE IF YOU MISS SOMETHING. OVERALL I WOULD RATE THIS BOOK 9/10, TRULY FABULOUS!
OK, firstly this is a kid's book - so there is no depth to it. But, if you want a quick, predictable, easy read with good characters and a totally predictable story-line, then you can't really go wrong with a kid's book. On the whole, this was an ok read - it was enjoyable at times and mildly amusing. I am sure many children will relate to Barry and will enjoy the story.
...more
I liked the general idea behind this book and I liked the storyline. But the main character... ok, I get that 10 year olds have limited brainfunction, but if I had read this as a 9 -12 year old I would have found it sooooo akward. I really feel sorry for parents 4 and 5. He is really horrible! But I guess he might be written like that for a reason. so 3 stars.
I really liked the book, especially the twist at the end!
Sincerely funny for both dad and son, which is what you want as a dad reading to your son.
So funny.
I read this with my 9 year old and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. It kept my interest as much as my 9 year old, which was something. We will be looking out for more David Baddiel books
Oct 03, 2014
Naturalbri (Bri Wignall)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
loved-it
*Received as an ARC*
The Story
Even if we don't want to admit it, we've all had a time when we felt a bit fed up with out parents. So much, we wished we had new ones, better ones. Usually this feeling goes away, and we feel bad for ever having thought such a thing...but, what if it didn't go away? What if each day was such a drag, you hated every moment - Being ignored, your brother/sister was the favourite, lame gifts, boring parents, embarrassing parents and even...groundings!
What if it didn't ...more
The Story
Even if we don't want to admit it, we've all had a time when we felt a bit fed up with out parents. So much, we wished we had new ones, better ones. Usually this feeling goes away, and we feel bad for ever having thought such a thing...but, what if it didn't go away? What if each day was such a drag, you hated every moment - Being ignored, your brother/sister was the favourite, lame gifts, boring parents, embarrassing parents and even...groundings!
What if it didn't ...more
It had a good concept and plot
Are you parents sooo boring? Are they too strict? Like your brother/sister/dog better than you? Not wealthy enough to give you the lifestyle you want to become accustomed to? What would you do if you could pick your own parents: what would be on your wish list? Barry Bennett feels the same way. His parents are too boring, they’re not rich, they’re strict, they named him Barry, and after they mess up his perfect idea of a James Bond birthday, he’s fed up. He wishes he had new parents, and finds h
...more
Cool, Warmer, Warm, Hot, Cooler, Cooler, Cold
Interesting setup. Barry is unhappy with his parents, (they like his sisters best, they're dull, they don't cater to his desires). But, when he enters an alternate world in which kids get to try out new parents, and parents compete to earn a kid's favor, he learns some grass-isn't-always-greener lessons. That's pretty neat, and what early middle grade reader isn't going to be at least intrigued by the premise?
The execution, though, was a little schizo ...more
Interesting setup. Barry is unhappy with his parents, (they like his sisters best, they're dull, they don't cater to his desires). But, when he enters an alternate world in which kids get to try out new parents, and parents compete to earn a kid's favor, he learns some grass-isn't-always-greener lessons. That's pretty neat, and what early middle grade reader isn't going to be at least intrigued by the premise?
The execution, though, was a little schizo ...more
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Had no idea what to expect and it turned out to be really entertaining with a great message to boot.
Barry hates his name. It's too old-fashioned and he blames his parents. He blames them for a whole list of things. One of which is the lame birthday parties they come up with. Barry is about to turn 10. He loves two things. James Bond and Lionel Messi. They can't even plan a James Bond themed party that is mildly fun. Barry storms off in protest and the ne ...more
Barry hates his name. It's too old-fashioned and he blames his parents. He blames them for a whole list of things. One of which is the lame birthday parties they come up with. Barry is about to turn 10. He loves two things. James Bond and Lionel Messi. They can't even plan a James Bond themed party that is mildly fun. Barry storms off in protest and the ne ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I received an ARC of The Parent Agency and from the synopsis it sounded like a fun read and it truly was. Barry hated his name, hated the way his parents were, they were boring, and they always too his twin sisters side on everything. He was 9 years old coming up to 10 and his parents wouldn't allow him to do things his friends were doing. After asking his parents for a James Bond party and getting the hump he goes to his room and strange things start happening. He arrives in the Parent Agency.
...more
Oh no!!! Why did I have to pick another author of kids' books who indulges in toilet talk and swear words??? It makes me positively ill. If the author left all that out, I would rate this book fantastic.
The theme is fairly predictable and the parents Barry chose in the end was also predictable but his adventures trying out different parents was surprisingly mind-blowing. The near ending also was totally unexpected.
There is a small expectation that you know about movie actors and James Bond chara ...more
The theme is fairly predictable and the parents Barry chose in the end was also predictable but his adventures trying out different parents was surprisingly mind-blowing. The near ending also was totally unexpected.
There is a small expectation that you know about movie actors and James Bond chara ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodreads Librari...: Page number request | 2 | 17 | Jan 02, 2020 03:23PM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Page number request | 2 | 14 | Jan 02, 2020 10:53AM | |
| It was all a dream? | 3 | 8 | Oct 12, 2018 04:14AM |
Readers also enjoyed
David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter. Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. He grew up in grew up in Dollis Hill, Willesden, North London.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in Engl ...more
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in Engl ...more
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The Blockbuster Baddiel Box
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