The Unluckiest Boy in the World

by Andrew Norris

Nicholas Frith has always considered himself to be about as lucky as the average boy. But while on holiday with his mum, Nicholas accidentally disturbs an ancient tomb and everything changes. Nicholas falls under an ancient curse and suddenly misfortune, calamity and disaster follow him everywhere!

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2006

Reviews

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Norriss is, in fact, The Unluckiest Author in the World. In any sane society a writer who consistently produces such unfailingly delightful books for children would be lauded and applauded, hailed as a national treasure and put before Parliament and Queen as an example of what children's writing should be like. Instead, we get Michael Morpurgo (I don't know if you agree, but my children always, always groan when yet another Michael Morpurgo book is dragged out of the cupboard and plopped on their desks at school). It should be Andrew Norris.

What is particularly strange is that not even television, that usual sprinkler of authorial fame and sales, seems to have been able to destroy the curse of forgetting that hangs over Andrew Norriss. 'Aquila? Wasn't that on the telly a while back?' Yes, it was, and normally that should mean huge sales and, at the very least, a publisher eager to publish a whole series of Aquila books. But - and I have this from the author's wife - Puffin simply aren't interested! Can you believe that? Despite there being huge mileage in the book (my son and I are desperate to learn more about the Denebians who made Aquila and the Yrrillians with whom they are locked in conflict), a successful TV tie-in, the first book having won the Whitbread Award, and yet Puffin still aren't interested in publishing Aquila 3. You're beginning to agree, aren't you? Andrew Norriss really is the unluckiest writer in the world.

But stop. There's more. The Brittas Empire. Remember that? Ran in the 1990s with Chris Barrie as he manager of the Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. Andrew Norris co-wrote the first five series (when it was good). Yet, still, despite all these TV accomplishments, his publisher isn't interested in publishing Aquila 3.

Andrew, I'm beginning to wonder if you unwittingly urinated on to the grave of a mouldering publishing executive, thus incurring his everlasting curse (as happens to the unfortunate hero of The Unluckiest Boy in the World, except in his case it's not a publishing executive but a dead wizard who curses him). There's no other explanation why publishers are not queuing up for such graceful, deft and funny stories.

Surely there must be some way of banishing the curse. For Andrew Norriss, while maybe the unluckiest writer in the world, is also, undoubtedly, one of the very best. Read this book, read Aquila, then tell your friends, tell Puffin: we have a treasure amongst us, let us celebrate (and publish!) him!

[Amayaa Wijesinghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked recently about books that have changed my life, and this one will always be in my top 5. I picked it up quite randomly in a Sri Lankan bookstore when I was 12 or 13, and it was one of those books that made a very deep impression on me. I think I was old enough to understand and absorb the deeper message of the book. It also resonated with a lot of personal challenges I was facing at the time, and really helped me see things from a whole new perspective. Anyway, I'm 27 now, and I still think about this story sometimes. Thought I'd leave a review somewhere, in case it nudges a parent to buy the book for their kid too. Thanks Andrew, hope you know that you've helped some kids out :)

[Lee Födi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. It starts off with what seems a silly premise (a boy accidentally urinating on an ancient grave site), but it turns into a thoughtful story on the theme of taking what is your perceived weakness and turning it into your power. I've used this book a lot in my reading units with my creative writing students. To be honest, a lot of them don't detect the underlying message until I lay it out for them, but in my opinion, that's to the book's credit, as it means its message is subtly placed. With that in mind, I highly recommend this book for adult, too.

[Harriet Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I wondered how the author came up with the idea for this book? It was funny reading about all of the things that the curse had in store for Nicholas and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an interesting and unusual read with a touch of humour!!!

[Aaminah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing but the app is not the book allows different type of jenres in it . The app doesn’t appear to let you read the book it only lets you rate and review the book


Book:The unluckiest boy in the world

Author: Andrew Norris’s

Reviewed by Aaminah banu

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny. A fantastic book with a happy ending. Well done Andrew Norriss.

[Kesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous theme that speaks volumes for young readers.

[Ms Doxey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book! I think this will be the book I read aloud first next year. Amazingly funny and a great relationship between the two main characters. Perfect for year 3 onwards

[The Endless Unread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off well enough but got gradually worse. Really disappointing.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book about luck and the power of self belief.
It is well written and very sweet.
A nice feel good story.

[Sonali Bhide · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cry every time such a sweet story never gets old waaaaaaaah

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this book as a family on a long car trip. I love this book. It is amusing (for adults and child), well-written and has a marvelous message for anyone, which never sinks to feeling message-y. In fact more than once I was ready for the "oh here's the message moment" only to have it take a turn - fun! Also, the reader on the audiobook was top notch!