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How Not to be Weird
Woody wants to get un-weird - and fast! And he'll find help in the most unlikely of places.
Woody is forever worried about being different. He thinks himself weird and a bit of a wuss, and two bullies Della and Casey make sure he doesn't forget that. It doesn't help that his mum is slightly bonkers. She dresses up as a sheep for a living - mostly for her job as a children's entertainer. And not to mention the fact that she forces Woody to wear old granny jumpers that she finds down the local charity shop. Gooner the dog doesn't help either, always getting Woody in some awkward, smelly and rather messy situations!
But Woody's got a plan to get unweird - and fast! Just in time for his first day at secondary school. He starts off with some rules . . . 'Don't listen to Mum about anything to do with your life, ever'. . .and. . .'don't wear old lady clothes'. And with the help of his way more normal, yet rather extravagant GlamMa and the discovery of his Dad's peculiar lucky charm, he soon finds a new sense of charm, un-weirdness and a heap load of shenanigans come his way!
Woody is forever worried about being different. He thinks himself weird and a bit of a wuss, and two bullies Della and Casey make sure he doesn't forget that. It doesn't help that his mum is slightly bonkers. She dresses up as a sheep for a living - mostly for her job as a children's entertainer. And not to mention the fact that she forces Woody to wear old granny jumpers that she finds down the local charity shop. Gooner the dog doesn't help either, always getting Woody in some awkward, smelly and rather messy situations!
But Woody's got a plan to get unweird - and fast! Just in time for his first day at secondary school. He starts off with some rules . . . 'Don't listen to Mum about anything to do with your life, ever'. . .and. . .'don't wear old lady clothes'. And with the help of his way more normal, yet rather extravagant GlamMa and the discovery of his Dad's peculiar lucky charm, he soon finds a new sense of charm, un-weirdness and a heap load of shenanigans come his way!
272 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2016
Would be especially good for kids about to go up to secondary school. Likeable characters. Will try more of her books.
February 6, 2024
Book 160 - Dawn McNiff - How Not to be weird
Woody is weird…his mum dresses weird and makes him dress weird…his Nan, whom he has just met, looks like Barbie and that is the least weird thing about his family. His father passed away when he was young…and he is simply trying to find his way in life. He gets picked on my the local girls because he is weird, tall and skinny…oh and his dog has serious flatulence problems…
I love a good children’s novel..as a former teacher…I don’t think I’ll ever escape that…this one took me a while to get in to. Woody is a worrier…gets into a real panic at every turn, cries at the drop of a hat worrier. The more he runs from the weirdness of his life…the more he begins to conform to a ‘normal’ life.
Then suddenly he has started ‘big’ school and he has a multitude of new things to deal with.
The book has wonderful coming-of-age moments…is Woody changing or are those around him.
The emotional centre to the story is rather wonderfully…Woody’s father who is only in the book via a series of photos after he dies when on a trip to the States…many many years before.
Some truly tear jerking moments…some magnificent, never easy heart wrenching moments…
Again…a book I would have used for P7s transitioning to ‘big’ school…a book about bullying…friendships…self discovery…and most importantly…strong…genuine friendships.
Great stuff
Woody is weird…his mum dresses weird and makes him dress weird…his Nan, whom he has just met, looks like Barbie and that is the least weird thing about his family. His father passed away when he was young…and he is simply trying to find his way in life. He gets picked on my the local girls because he is weird, tall and skinny…oh and his dog has serious flatulence problems…
I love a good children’s novel..as a former teacher…I don’t think I’ll ever escape that…this one took me a while to get in to. Woody is a worrier…gets into a real panic at every turn, cries at the drop of a hat worrier. The more he runs from the weirdness of his life…the more he begins to conform to a ‘normal’ life.
Then suddenly he has started ‘big’ school and he has a multitude of new things to deal with.
The book has wonderful coming-of-age moments…is Woody changing or are those around him.
The emotional centre to the story is rather wonderfully…Woody’s father who is only in the book via a series of photos after he dies when on a trip to the States…many many years before.
Some truly tear jerking moments…some magnificent, never easy heart wrenching moments…
Again…a book I would have used for P7s transitioning to ‘big’ school…a book about bullying…friendships…self discovery…and most importantly…strong…genuine friendships.
Great stuff
May 7, 2024
Enveloping finding-identity school story that we all loved.
This took a couple of weeks of school runs, but I noticed quickly that both the 7- and the 13-year old were listening quite intently to the story of Woody, desperate to escape his primary school persona as a weirdo and become more like the dad he never knew, cool and charming. Can he manage that with a mum who buys him pink backpacks and sends him to school with hummous sandwiches?
Woody meets his Dad's mum for the first time and learns of his dad's lucky charm, a Rubik's cube that might just do what he needs - brings him a little luck and a chance to start again and be someone HE wants to be.
But is being someone else really what Woody wants?
This was great, narrated by a young-sounding voice that both my boys clearly felt sounded like a peer. The story and characters were realistic, the worries and escapades relatable. Every character got a moment to showcase their own point of view - Woody's mum and grandma, his friends, and of course Woody himself.
Really enjoyable for a wide audience, not too old for a 7 year old either.
This took a couple of weeks of school runs, but I noticed quickly that both the 7- and the 13-year old were listening quite intently to the story of Woody, desperate to escape his primary school persona as a weirdo and become more like the dad he never knew, cool and charming. Can he manage that with a mum who buys him pink backpacks and sends him to school with hummous sandwiches?
Woody meets his Dad's mum for the first time and learns of his dad's lucky charm, a Rubik's cube that might just do what he needs - brings him a little luck and a chance to start again and be someone HE wants to be.
But is being someone else really what Woody wants?
This was great, narrated by a young-sounding voice that both my boys clearly felt sounded like a peer. The story and characters were realistic, the worries and escapades relatable. Every character got a moment to showcase their own point of view - Woody's mum and grandma, his friends, and of course Woody himself.
Really enjoyable for a wide audience, not too old for a 7 year old either.
November 17, 2022
This book was okay, I wouldn't read it again but I did finish it all in one sitting. It's a story about growing up and accepting who you are. It's short, It's sweet, the adults may have issues but its not bad.
October 2, 2021
I loved this book
July 31, 2022
Przyjemna historia o tym, że będąc sobą (weirdo) zyskuje się przyjaciół. Każdy jest inny i udawanie nie pomaga.
May 27, 2016
Warning: this review involves total fangirl bias because I love Dawn's other work, and happily loved William as soon as I met him. His family is not the so called norm of 2.5 children. It's him with a super hippy mother who can't even entertain the idea that he may have personal preferences over what style clothes he wears and what he eats, and her partner who William dislikes. And Gooner, who is a loveable and despicable at the same time!
New school means a new William-notice how I don't call him by his 'name' of Woody? William makes changes despite the universe at times being a bit against him. He places all his faith in a momento from his father, and has no idea that it is worthless and he already had the inner confidence to change himself, he just needed to lure it out. He thinks he needs to separate himself from his previous friends (kind of) but he learns that doesn't work, and he can evolve at the same time as keeping them.
There are plenty of mishaps which at the time William thinks will ruin his reputation, but the opposite happens. I was thrilled when he was able to feel 'normal' thanks to his new grandmother, her going overboard helps him out more than she will ever know. I doubt there's anyone who can't relate to wanting to change at least a part of themselves, which means it's a perfect read for everyone, cringe moments and all. Another rereadable story from Dawn! (Still hoping the next one is with a girl protagonist though!)
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
New school means a new William-notice how I don't call him by his 'name' of Woody? William makes changes despite the universe at times being a bit against him. He places all his faith in a momento from his father, and has no idea that it is worthless and he already had the inner confidence to change himself, he just needed to lure it out. He thinks he needs to separate himself from his previous friends (kind of) but he learns that doesn't work, and he can evolve at the same time as keeping them.
There are plenty of mishaps which at the time William thinks will ruin his reputation, but the opposite happens. I was thrilled when he was able to feel 'normal' thanks to his new grandmother, her going overboard helps him out more than she will ever know. I doubt there's anyone who can't relate to wanting to change at least a part of themselves, which means it's a perfect read for everyone, cringe moments and all. Another rereadable story from Dawn! (Still hoping the next one is with a girl protagonist though!)
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
April 24, 2016
How Not to be Weird by Dawn McNiff was a Goodreads win
Woody Trindle is about to move up to secondary school – and he is WORRIED!
He has a reputation for being weird, and doesn’t know how to get normal. It is not his fault; his mother is a hippy with no idea how 10 year olds should dress and eat; his school mates bully him; and then there’s Gooner his dog. Gooner has no idea how to behave in public, or private, and is always getting Woody into trouble. He does have a rapacious appetite though and can demolish Woody’s ‘healthy lunches’ before he sets off to school. Even his name is not his own, it should be William, after his Dad, who died when he was very young.
Woody’s gran appears on the scene to take him in hand, buying him fashionable clothes and a new hair cut. She is constantly saying how like his father he is, except his father was charming and popular. Woody becomes William and enjoys the attention, unlit he realises she is trying to relive her sons life again through him.
Woody/William comes up with a plan – he will think of rules for not being weird.
Feeling very scared, he starts secondary school. Will the rules work and will he manage to make new friends?
I found the book very amusing, and intend to give it to my grandson, who will soon be at secondary school himself. He is not at all weird, but it is surprising how many normal youngsters think they are!
Woody Trindle is about to move up to secondary school – and he is WORRIED!
He has a reputation for being weird, and doesn’t know how to get normal. It is not his fault; his mother is a hippy with no idea how 10 year olds should dress and eat; his school mates bully him; and then there’s Gooner his dog. Gooner has no idea how to behave in public, or private, and is always getting Woody into trouble. He does have a rapacious appetite though and can demolish Woody’s ‘healthy lunches’ before he sets off to school. Even his name is not his own, it should be William, after his Dad, who died when he was very young.
Woody’s gran appears on the scene to take him in hand, buying him fashionable clothes and a new hair cut. She is constantly saying how like his father he is, except his father was charming and popular. Woody becomes William and enjoys the attention, unlit he realises she is trying to relive her sons life again through him.
Woody/William comes up with a plan – he will think of rules for not being weird.
Feeling very scared, he starts secondary school. Will the rules work and will he manage to make new friends?
I found the book very amusing, and intend to give it to my grandson, who will soon be at secondary school himself. He is not at all weird, but it is surprising how many normal youngsters think they are!
April 7, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley & the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I read this book in two days with my ten-year-old daughter and we were both really impressed with it. The story follows William, or “Woody”, who is desperate to appear “normal” at his new school. He encounters a few problems along the way, some in the form of the local bullies and some at the hands of his hilariously hippy mum!
It is a very funny story in parts, with some laugh aloud moments (particularly Woody’s “unweirding” rules!).
I think this book would appeal to most children aged around 8/12 and particularly fans of the The Amazing World Of Norm series.
I read this book in two days with my ten-year-old daughter and we were both really impressed with it. The story follows William, or “Woody”, who is desperate to appear “normal” at his new school. He encounters a few problems along the way, some in the form of the local bullies and some at the hands of his hilariously hippy mum!
It is a very funny story in parts, with some laugh aloud moments (particularly Woody’s “unweirding” rules!).
I think this book would appeal to most children aged around 8/12 and particularly fans of the The Amazing World Of Norm series.
November 1, 2016
What a lovely sweet book. I read it in a couple hours and it flew past. Since it's a book for younger readers I really should've expected that.
Like I said, it was really sweet and serves as a bit of a reminder to us old folks to not be so hard on kids when they're trying to fit in or find their place in this crazy world. They might have a lot more going on in their heads and hearts than you'd thing.
That might not have been the message McNiff intended, but it's one I'm taking.
Like I said, it was really sweet and serves as a bit of a reminder to us old folks to not be so hard on kids when they're trying to fit in or find their place in this crazy world. They might have a lot more going on in their heads and hearts than you'd thing.
That might not have been the message McNiff intended, but it's one I'm taking.
March 13, 2017
What a lovely book! We have a boy who has just started secondary school and, I fear, we are 'weird' as parents so he deserves our sympathy. He read it and completed it, which is a high accolade from him, as he has inherited a lack of enthusiasm for books from his dad. It's not come from me, obviously! This book has humour, warmth and insight - I loved it.
September 23, 2016
This book was very weird but very good at the same time. I liked that it was a long book. The pictures were good. My favourite character was Gooner. I liked the ending.
March 25, 2017
Amazing, surprising, funny.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews