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The Micro Kids: An 80s Adventure with ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and more
It is November 1983 and young Billy Twist and his whiz kid friends are about to discover the exciting new world of microcomputers.
Billy and his friends start on their journey but run into some obstacles as they try to setup a computer video gaming club.
Billy is a typical kid growing up in the 80s, the age of the microcomputer. An age of wonder for teens and even adults alike. A nostalgic story of ZX Spectrums, Commodore 64s, Amstrads and Ataris.
If I didn't grow up in the 80s I would be jealous of everyone that did - because the 80s rocked!
Billy and his friends start on their journey but run into some obstacles as they try to setup a computer video gaming club.
Billy is a typical kid growing up in the 80s, the age of the microcomputer. An age of wonder for teens and even adults alike. A nostalgic story of ZX Spectrums, Commodore 64s, Amstrads and Ataris.
If I didn't grow up in the 80s I would be jealous of everyone that did - because the 80s rocked!
- GenresFiction
204 pages, Paperback
Published December 8, 2018
About the author
Gary Plowman
5 books21 followersGame Developer for mobile with several million downloads.
Author of ZX Spectrum Games Code Club
and The Micro Kids: An 80s Adventure
Author of ZX Spectrum Games Code Club
and The Micro Kids: An 80s Adventure
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 7, 2025
Loved it.
I never had a spectrum. I had a Commodore 64, or "blobbadore," as it's referred to here 🤣 I knew a kid with a spectrum and we all used to play Chuckie Egg round his house.
You can tell straight away how invested this guy was/is in the micro craze, that really shines through on every page. If you grew up in the 80s 🙋🏻♂️ you'll probably enjoy this novel. There's obviously loads about the hardware and games and magazines of the time. They watch Masters of the Universe and Ghostbusters, they have Ready Brek and Monster Munch! I love how British it is. (Apart from the author using "couch" and "semester," Nobody here said either 🤷🏻♂️)
Like others have said, there's quite a few typos and words that should have been edited out. It desperately needed a proof read, but it's still thoroughly enjoyable.
I never had a spectrum. I had a Commodore 64, or "blobbadore," as it's referred to here 🤣 I knew a kid with a spectrum and we all used to play Chuckie Egg round his house.
You can tell straight away how invested this guy was/is in the micro craze, that really shines through on every page. If you grew up in the 80s 🙋🏻♂️ you'll probably enjoy this novel. There's obviously loads about the hardware and games and magazines of the time. They watch Masters of the Universe and Ghostbusters, they have Ready Brek and Monster Munch! I love how British it is. (Apart from the author using "couch" and "semester," Nobody here said either 🤷🏻♂️)
Like others have said, there's quite a few typos and words that should have been edited out. It desperately needed a proof read, but it's still thoroughly enjoyable.
February 25, 2019
A fun look back at the 80s in the UK.
If you remember fondly playing video games with your mates (or friends) in the 80s, you'll enjoy this lighthearted story.
If you remember fondly playing video games with your mates (or friends) in the 80s, you'll enjoy this lighthearted story.
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June 16, 2020When is 1985 coming out?
Being the same age at the time this is a great meander through my micro memories and pop culture of the time.
Being the same age at the time this is a great meander through my micro memories and pop culture of the time.
October 16, 2022
The book is almost written as a diary with each chapter representing a month in 1983-84. It's about a kid who gets a ZX Spectrum for Christmas and how it becomes the center of his life as he plays, starts a computer club and starts experimenting with programming a bit.
It really felt like the kid Billy telling his story in his way and I enjoyed it a lot. It also included game screenshots here and there. Be prepared to meet a lot of game and game magazine descriptions.
The level of detail suggests that the author has a 'speccy' or two at his home (complete with his own maze game written in BASIC) as well as at least one RPI dressed up as an archade machine.
Edit: I previously complained about the epub formatting, but I was wrong and had this book confused with another.
It really felt like the kid Billy telling his story in his way and I enjoyed it a lot. It also included game screenshots here and there. Be prepared to meet a lot of game and game magazine descriptions.
The level of detail suggests that the author has a 'speccy' or two at his home (complete with his own maze game written in BASIC) as well as at least one RPI dressed up as an archade machine.
Edit: I previously complained about the epub formatting, but I was wrong and had this book confused with another.
August 2, 2022
Bring it the kid in you
Great read, really touches upon this grand days when the micro brought so many of us together, making friends of otherwise strange bedfellows. Recommended reading.
Great read, really touches upon this grand days when the micro brought so many of us together, making friends of otherwise strange bedfellows. Recommended reading.
October 24, 2022
It’s great, it’s short, it’s simply a nostalgia trip but…
it’s worth a read just to take you back to a world of being at schools and playing Speccy games in the 80’s. Pure fun.
it’s worth a read just to take you back to a world of being at schools and playing Speccy games in the 80’s. Pure fun.
May 28, 2024
Perfect for anyone who grew up in the 80s or just wishes they did
November 1, 2020
I received this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
The Micro Kids is a snapshot of the microcomputer boom of the 1980s. It's obvious that Gary Plowman has a great appreciation for this era. The story is full of references to various microcomputers, gaming fairs, computer stores and video games. Some of the references can get tedious at times, with Billy examining the trivial intricacies of many of his favorite games. Nonetheless, his love for micro computers is clearly felt throughout the narrative.
Jas Walker does a fine job narrating this story, although his work leaves something to be desired. Some words are frequently repeated throughout the book, and Walker's narration can become a bit grating at times. Even so, he managed to keep the work engaging throughout.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It took some time to hit its stride, but once it did, it made for an enjoyable tale. I didn't grow up in this era. I imagine those who did would find Plowman's work to be even more interesting.
The Micro Kids is a snapshot of the microcomputer boom of the 1980s. It's obvious that Gary Plowman has a great appreciation for this era. The story is full of references to various microcomputers, gaming fairs, computer stores and video games. Some of the references can get tedious at times, with Billy examining the trivial intricacies of many of his favorite games. Nonetheless, his love for micro computers is clearly felt throughout the narrative.
Jas Walker does a fine job narrating this story, although his work leaves something to be desired. Some words are frequently repeated throughout the book, and Walker's narration can become a bit grating at times. Even so, he managed to keep the work engaging throughout.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It took some time to hit its stride, but once it did, it made for an enjoyable tale. I didn't grow up in this era. I imagine those who did would find Plowman's work to be even more interesting.
July 20, 2021
Good intentions, poor writing
The book has no real story and it’s full of grammatical errors. There are many wasted opportunities for a good plot but the author does not develop them. The book sounds more like a collection of memories. The only reasons why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 are the nostalgia factor (which I suppose is a common pull towards this book) and the author’s best intentions, which I’m sure are there.
The book has no real story and it’s full of grammatical errors. There are many wasted opportunities for a good plot but the author does not develop them. The book sounds more like a collection of memories. The only reasons why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 are the nostalgia factor (which I suppose is a common pull towards this book) and the author’s best intentions, which I’m sure are there.
February 15, 2026
The book itself was okay and brought back some good memories but the amount of grammatical errors included in the book was ridiculous and got worse towards the end.
October 20, 2021
Very well written piece of nostalgic glimpse into the 80s micro computer scene!
Couldn't put it down...
Couldn't put it down...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews