What do you think?
Rate this book
Wybuchowe życie Klary
Klara wszystko czuje MOCNIEJ. A kiedy czuje coś BARDZO MOCNO, emocje wybuchają w niej jak bomba.
Dziewczynka ma poważne kłopoty, gdy jej chomik ucieka i chowa się w spodniach pastora podczas wesela jej ciotki. Jeśli dziewczynka znów straci panowanie nad sobą, rodzice nie pozwolą jej jechać na wycieczkę do najlepszego parku rozrywki na świecie.
Ale bez względu na to, jak bardzo starasz się zachować spokój, złość zawsze znajduje jakieś ujście. Klara szybko zauważa, że ??za każdym razem, gdy próbuje stłumić swoje emocje, coś eksploduje. Naprawdę, porządnie wybucha.
To może być oślizgły zielony koktajl nauczyciela. Ogromna puszka fioletowej farby. Olbrzymia kupa słoni w zoo.
Miejmy nadzieję, że Klara nie zezłości się na przyjęciu cioci – ten tort weselny jest OGROMNY...
Dziewczynka ma poważne kłopoty, gdy jej chomik ucieka i chowa się w spodniach pastora podczas wesela jej ciotki. Jeśli dziewczynka znów straci panowanie nad sobą, rodzice nie pozwolą jej jechać na wycieczkę do najlepszego parku rozrywki na świecie.
Ale bez względu na to, jak bardzo starasz się zachować spokój, złość zawsze znajduje jakieś ujście. Klara szybko zauważa, że ??za każdym razem, gdy próbuje stłumić swoje emocje, coś eksploduje. Naprawdę, porządnie wybucha.
To może być oślizgły zielony koktajl nauczyciela. Ogromna puszka fioletowej farby. Olbrzymia kupa słoni w zoo.
Miejmy nadzieję, że Klara nie zezłości się na przyjęciu cioci – ten tort weselny jest OGROMNY...
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2021
8 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 7, 2021
Exploding with humour and very BIG FEELINGS, the relatable Scarlett Fife will quickly become a firm friend of readers of 7+.
Scarlett Fife has some very BIG FEELINGS, so big in fact that they sometimes just explode out of her. After an untimely incident at her aunt’s engagement party, she must suffer the consequences of ‘Mumishments’ and the threat of not being taken to Super Mega Awesome Sticky Fun World to ride the Guts-a-Churno coaster. But the more Scarlett tries to keep the anger in, the more it wants to come out…in the most explosive of ways. Can Scarlett take control of her feelings…
A book that opens with the line, “I AM SO ANGRY I THINK MY BUM MIGHT FALL OFF,” Is going to grab the attention of any reader and it took me a good few seconds to stop laughing. Maz Evans delivers a laugh-out-lead read that is exploding with humour and all of the things that matter to children whilst at the same time exploring big emotions and necessary coping strategies.
Nearly ten-year-old Scarlett is brilliant. Her sharp and witty take on everyday grown-up situations and her misunderstandings are hilarious. Equally sharp are Scarlett’s frustrations at the daily challenges of life and the total unfairness of important things like having to be a goat in the Christmas play, not getting enough Positivity Points to take the school hamster home or not being able to have a birthday party at Stuff-a-Squishie. Life is very annoying and this makes Scarlett get very, very angry and when the the bubbly anger bubbles up inside her strange things happen, or more precisely, things explode - drinks, elephant poo, paint!
Through humour and everyday situations, Evans helps children to understand that it is very normal to experience big feelings and that anger is a perfectly acceptable emotion, and - in some instances - is an important emotion to feel as it can be a precursor for positive change. With many anger provoking situations, Scarlett most definitely has her work cut out. But in Maisie, Aunty Rosa, Aunty Amara and grandma she has a great support network offering all kinds of useful advice. By the end, readers, - like Scarlett - will understand the importance of talking and will have strategies for dealing with anger rather than bottling it up inside.
The book is incredibly diverse and many children will themselves and their lives represented. Scarlett’s parents are amicably divorced. She has a Polish step-dad and a real dad with a prosthetic arm (sometimes mistaken for a ‘Prosecco arm’). Her Aunty Rosa is getting married to Amara, giving Scarlett another aunty. Best friend Maisie is a foster kid, new girl Polly only has her mum (her dad has died) and Karam is a refugee from a war-torn country.
I award Maz Evans all of the positivity points, she can keep Mr. Nibbles for as long as she likes unless Ms. Pitt-Bull says otherwise!
Recommended for 7+.
With thanks to Maz Evans and Hachette Children’s for the advanced reader copy that was received through NetGalley.
Scarlett Fife has some very BIG FEELINGS, so big in fact that they sometimes just explode out of her. After an untimely incident at her aunt’s engagement party, she must suffer the consequences of ‘Mumishments’ and the threat of not being taken to Super Mega Awesome Sticky Fun World to ride the Guts-a-Churno coaster. But the more Scarlett tries to keep the anger in, the more it wants to come out…in the most explosive of ways. Can Scarlett take control of her feelings…
A book that opens with the line, “I AM SO ANGRY I THINK MY BUM MIGHT FALL OFF,” Is going to grab the attention of any reader and it took me a good few seconds to stop laughing. Maz Evans delivers a laugh-out-lead read that is exploding with humour and all of the things that matter to children whilst at the same time exploring big emotions and necessary coping strategies.
Nearly ten-year-old Scarlett is brilliant. Her sharp and witty take on everyday grown-up situations and her misunderstandings are hilarious. Equally sharp are Scarlett’s frustrations at the daily challenges of life and the total unfairness of important things like having to be a goat in the Christmas play, not getting enough Positivity Points to take the school hamster home or not being able to have a birthday party at Stuff-a-Squishie. Life is very annoying and this makes Scarlett get very, very angry and when the the bubbly anger bubbles up inside her strange things happen, or more precisely, things explode - drinks, elephant poo, paint!
Through humour and everyday situations, Evans helps children to understand that it is very normal to experience big feelings and that anger is a perfectly acceptable emotion, and - in some instances - is an important emotion to feel as it can be a precursor for positive change. With many anger provoking situations, Scarlett most definitely has her work cut out. But in Maisie, Aunty Rosa, Aunty Amara and grandma she has a great support network offering all kinds of useful advice. By the end, readers, - like Scarlett - will understand the importance of talking and will have strategies for dealing with anger rather than bottling it up inside.
The book is incredibly diverse and many children will themselves and their lives represented. Scarlett’s parents are amicably divorced. She has a Polish step-dad and a real dad with a prosthetic arm (sometimes mistaken for a ‘Prosecco arm’). Her Aunty Rosa is getting married to Amara, giving Scarlett another aunty. Best friend Maisie is a foster kid, new girl Polly only has her mum (her dad has died) and Karam is a refugee from a war-torn country.
I award Maz Evans all of the positivity points, she can keep Mr. Nibbles for as long as she likes unless Ms. Pitt-Bull says otherwise!
Recommended for 7+.
With thanks to Maz Evans and Hachette Children’s for the advanced reader copy that was received through NetGalley.
June 10, 2021
Anger has never been so funny – splat!
“I AM SO ANGRY I THINK MY BUM MIGHT FALL OFF!” Well, Evans, start as you mean to go on. And that’s with humour, a great child’s voice, and an eye and ear for what matters in children’s lives.
Scarlett is as her name suggests, often a little red-faced with anger. At the mum who forgets trip money for the gift shop. At the boy in her class who gets everything he wants. “William U’s mum says William U has lots of syndromes. Some of them are so new that the doctors don’t even know about them. But William U’s mum finds them on www.MyChildCentre.Universe and that make them true.” Almost too brilliant for children.
Scarlett’s friend Maisie adds to the hysteria for any adult sensible enough to decide they enjoy reading children’s books, with her misheard Latin/French: “You just have to accept it… William U is Start of the Week. It’s a feta company.” Now my 10-year-old will NOT understand that. But I’ll enjoy reading it out to him and explaining.
Scarlett narrates for us her life, her frustrations, what makes her angry. And the story, short at 125 pages anyway, really takes off when we realise that, like Dahl’s Matilda, there may be a physical manifestation to Scarlett’s emotions…. Oh it’s so much fun!
Real problems that children experience, real frustrations and things that will get on top of them. Boys and girls will relate to Scarlett, and hopefully the sage advice she finds in family and in learning control will also filter through without taking anything away from the hugely entertaining story.
I’ve loved Maz Evans since the first Who Let the Gods Out? title arrived. My eldest has taken to that series as well, and I’m sure is going to love this change of genre for this highly talent comic writer.
This will work well as a read-alone or one that parents might want to read to their children, the issues well worth discussing, the giggles will be shared alongside them.
For ages 7-12.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
“I AM SO ANGRY I THINK MY BUM MIGHT FALL OFF!” Well, Evans, start as you mean to go on. And that’s with humour, a great child’s voice, and an eye and ear for what matters in children’s lives.
Scarlett is as her name suggests, often a little red-faced with anger. At the mum who forgets trip money for the gift shop. At the boy in her class who gets everything he wants. “William U’s mum says William U has lots of syndromes. Some of them are so new that the doctors don’t even know about them. But William U’s mum finds them on www.MyChildCentre.Universe and that make them true.” Almost too brilliant for children.
Scarlett’s friend Maisie adds to the hysteria for any adult sensible enough to decide they enjoy reading children’s books, with her misheard Latin/French: “You just have to accept it… William U is Start of the Week. It’s a feta company.” Now my 10-year-old will NOT understand that. But I’ll enjoy reading it out to him and explaining.
Scarlett narrates for us her life, her frustrations, what makes her angry. And the story, short at 125 pages anyway, really takes off when we realise that, like Dahl’s Matilda, there may be a physical manifestation to Scarlett’s emotions…. Oh it’s so much fun!
Real problems that children experience, real frustrations and things that will get on top of them. Boys and girls will relate to Scarlett, and hopefully the sage advice she finds in family and in learning control will also filter through without taking anything away from the hugely entertaining story.
I’ve loved Maz Evans since the first Who Let the Gods Out? title arrived. My eldest has taken to that series as well, and I’m sure is going to love this change of genre for this highly talent comic writer.
This will work well as a read-alone or one that parents might want to read to their children, the issues well worth discussing, the giggles will be shared alongside them.
For ages 7-12.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
July 22, 2022
This is the first book that my six-year old daughter actively asked me to read until the book was done. Lovely series and I love the messages (and toilet humor) within.
May 25, 2021
Scarlett is 10 years old, in Year 5 at school, and really cross.The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife Book Review Cover
She’s been working extra hard to get class Positivity Points so she can take the class hamster called Nibbles home for a weekend. But, it turns out she’s been robbed!
A classmate called William has been awarded more points in the last afternoon of the competition. Although mad at the injustice of it all, Scarlett is not surprised. William’s mum is not only their class teaching assistant, and a powerful member of the school PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), she’s an ex-lawyer. Instead of fighting for people’s rights in the community, now she is always hovering to make sure William gets – everything – he -wants!
Home isn’t much better. Ever since her step-dad Jakub lost his job, Scarlett wishes he would hurry up and find it again.
Apparently he was given the sack, but she hasn’t seen any sack about their house? Now her mum is working lots of hours to make ends meet, which as an engineer is probably quite important. Nobody wants any buildings to fall over, do they?
Scarlett’s anger outbursts have got her into trouble at home and school before, but with everything going on – namely Mum forgetting incredibly important things, a strict new teacher and her birthday party cancelled, Scarlett’s anger has become something else.
No matter how she tries to calm down, do breathing exercises or blow out her fingers (read this book to find out why), her anger will not be tamed. To her horror, it begins to make things around her explode!
With a family wedding coming up, William being nastier than ever, and a new girl who seems to have everything Scarlett has ever wanted, keeping her cool is getting harder and harder. What if she ruins her auntie’s special day?
The voice of Scarlett Fife is wonderful, true to life, and funny. Her favourite subject is Maths. Maths makes sense, the answers always being the same, but English is strange. There is law court and tennis courts, or getting the sack with no sack in sight. Confusing!
Scarlett’s many misconceptions of slang or sayings made me laugh out loud. I think adults would probably understand more of these jokes than young readers, but there is plenty of humour in The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife for them too. I really enjoyed the serious playground negotiations for party invites and friendships, and the dynamics between students, teachers and a particular parent.
While telling a funny story including names like “Bogie headed showoff”, and “Poo poo bum head”, there is a touching thread to the tale where mum is struggling to juggle everything and Scarlett is too worried about her to cause more trouble.
Another book in this series is hinted at at the back. Loved the chapter headings too – each a math’s equation to give the value of the chapter No.
She’s been working extra hard to get class Positivity Points so she can take the class hamster called Nibbles home for a weekend. But, it turns out she’s been robbed!
A classmate called William has been awarded more points in the last afternoon of the competition. Although mad at the injustice of it all, Scarlett is not surprised. William’s mum is not only their class teaching assistant, and a powerful member of the school PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), she’s an ex-lawyer. Instead of fighting for people’s rights in the community, now she is always hovering to make sure William gets – everything – he -wants!
Home isn’t much better. Ever since her step-dad Jakub lost his job, Scarlett wishes he would hurry up and find it again.
Apparently he was given the sack, but she hasn’t seen any sack about their house? Now her mum is working lots of hours to make ends meet, which as an engineer is probably quite important. Nobody wants any buildings to fall over, do they?
Scarlett’s anger outbursts have got her into trouble at home and school before, but with everything going on – namely Mum forgetting incredibly important things, a strict new teacher and her birthday party cancelled, Scarlett’s anger has become something else.
No matter how she tries to calm down, do breathing exercises or blow out her fingers (read this book to find out why), her anger will not be tamed. To her horror, it begins to make things around her explode!
With a family wedding coming up, William being nastier than ever, and a new girl who seems to have everything Scarlett has ever wanted, keeping her cool is getting harder and harder. What if she ruins her auntie’s special day?
The voice of Scarlett Fife is wonderful, true to life, and funny. Her favourite subject is Maths. Maths makes sense, the answers always being the same, but English is strange. There is law court and tennis courts, or getting the sack with no sack in sight. Confusing!
Scarlett’s many misconceptions of slang or sayings made me laugh out loud. I think adults would probably understand more of these jokes than young readers, but there is plenty of humour in The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife for them too. I really enjoyed the serious playground negotiations for party invites and friendships, and the dynamics between students, teachers and a particular parent.
While telling a funny story including names like “Bogie headed showoff”, and “Poo poo bum head”, there is a touching thread to the tale where mum is struggling to juggle everything and Scarlett is too worried about her to cause more trouble.
Another book in this series is hinted at at the back. Loved the chapter headings too – each a math’s equation to give the value of the chapter No.
April 30, 2021
Maz Evans has brought her unique brand of humour to Scarlett’s woeful history of unfairness in her life. Scarlett allows her temper to take over when events do not go as she would like. So when she is not given the part in the Christmas play she had wanted, when she was told her Mum could not afford the longed for birthday party, when she can’t buy a sparkly pencil because her Mum had forgotten to send in money on the school trip, Scarlett’s feelings boil over and perhaps coincidentally various things around her explode. A smoothie at her Auntie’s, the burnt macaroni cheese at home, and worst of all elephant poo at the wildlife park all splattered around when Scarlett is thwarted.
Various people give her advice on how to control her temper, especially important now the threat from her Mum is to control her feelings or she will cancel the holiday to Super Mega Awesome Sticky Fun World. Scarlett does try these tactics and it is finally recognised that she has tried hard to improve by both her very strict teacher and her equally strict Mum who acknowledges her own stress. But Scarlett, who had been oblivious to what was happening around her and the feelings of others, also comes to see life from the point of view of others and is a better person for it.
There is a lot of humour here and what will forever stay in my mind is Scarlett describing how, when someone wet themselves in Early Years in school they had to go home with their tights in a Special Bag, then referencing needing a Special Bag at other points in the story. It will forever be code for wetting yourself in future.
A book to show how important it is for children to talk to adults about their feelings as well as adults considering how their decisions impact onto children who perhaps haven’t grasped the bigger picture.
Various people give her advice on how to control her temper, especially important now the threat from her Mum is to control her feelings or she will cancel the holiday to Super Mega Awesome Sticky Fun World. Scarlett does try these tactics and it is finally recognised that she has tried hard to improve by both her very strict teacher and her equally strict Mum who acknowledges her own stress. But Scarlett, who had been oblivious to what was happening around her and the feelings of others, also comes to see life from the point of view of others and is a better person for it.
There is a lot of humour here and what will forever stay in my mind is Scarlett describing how, when someone wet themselves in Early Years in school they had to go home with their tights in a Special Bag, then referencing needing a Special Bag at other points in the story. It will forever be code for wetting yourself in future.
A book to show how important it is for children to talk to adults about their feelings as well as adults considering how their decisions impact onto children who perhaps haven’t grasped the bigger picture.
December 30, 2021
Scarlett Fife thinks life is very unfair. William U got to look after Nibbles the hamster even though SHE had got the most positivity points, just because William’s mum is the class helper and William has all these ‘syndromes’ that his mum has read about on the internet for when things don’t go his way, AND the new girl has taken her part in the school play, AND she can’t have the birthday party that she wants AND AND AND... Life isn’t fair at all for Scarlett. And when she gets upset about all the things that are ‘so unfair’ she gets that bubbly feeling of anger in her stomach. And lately, something strange has been happening when those feelings need to explode, and Scarlett is worried that they might explode at her aunties wedding.
Maz Evans [with fabulous illustrations by Chris Jevons] has created a brilliantly funny book that speaks to children and adults alike. The incredibly humorous play on words and misunderstanding of phrases by Scarlett are cleverly interspersed with the woes and worries experienced by a primary school child. Maz Evans deals with themes of anger and wellbeing along with parental separation, redundancy and resulting poverty. I am very much looking forward to more adventures with Scarlett Fife soon.
https://donsybee.wordpress.com/2021/1...
Maz Evans [with fabulous illustrations by Chris Jevons] has created a brilliantly funny book that speaks to children and adults alike. The incredibly humorous play on words and misunderstanding of phrases by Scarlett are cleverly interspersed with the woes and worries experienced by a primary school child. Maz Evans deals with themes of anger and wellbeing along with parental separation, redundancy and resulting poverty. I am very much looking forward to more adventures with Scarlett Fife soon.
https://donsybee.wordpress.com/2021/1...
June 1, 2021
This is a book about BIG emotions.
As Scarlett says "I am so angry I think my bum might fall off!!!"
Scalett has big emotions that she finds hard to control. But this gets her into big trouble.
Life just isn't fair....
She never gets to take home the class hamster Mr Nibbles for the weekend.
Her mum is starting to forget things like providing her with lunch and spending money on school trips.
Her step-father Jakub has lost is job and can't find it again.
New girl Polly is getting the best part in the class play, winning lots of Positivity Points for being so nice and maybe taking away her BFF Maisie.
And the more that unfair things happen, and the more that Scarlett tries to squash down her anger, the more things around her start exploding - because all those big emotions have to go somewhere - right?
This is a laugh-out-loud funny story that I enjoyed immensly.
Aimed at upper-primary aged children, but just as valuable for early secondary students, this book will help young readers think about their emotions and how they can cope with big emotions in a positive way.
A great book for adults to read to children as there is plenty of humour aimed at them too.
Thanks to the author and @hachetteaus for the review copy of this book.
As Scarlett says "I am so angry I think my bum might fall off!!!"
Scalett has big emotions that she finds hard to control. But this gets her into big trouble.
Life just isn't fair....
She never gets to take home the class hamster Mr Nibbles for the weekend.
Her mum is starting to forget things like providing her with lunch and spending money on school trips.
Her step-father Jakub has lost is job and can't find it again.
New girl Polly is getting the best part in the class play, winning lots of Positivity Points for being so nice and maybe taking away her BFF Maisie.
And the more that unfair things happen, and the more that Scarlett tries to squash down her anger, the more things around her start exploding - because all those big emotions have to go somewhere - right?
This is a laugh-out-loud funny story that I enjoyed immensly.
Aimed at upper-primary aged children, but just as valuable for early secondary students, this book will help young readers think about their emotions and how they can cope with big emotions in a positive way.
A great book for adults to read to children as there is plenty of humour aimed at them too.
Thanks to the author and @hachetteaus for the review copy of this book.
May 10, 2021
We loved this wonderful, pacey, lower middle grade book!
Scarlett is a brilliant character surrounded by a vibrant and diverse cast of family members and friends (everyone needs a friend like Maisie) who has to deal with a whole heap of unfair reality with some hilarious and heartfelt consequences. The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife by Maz Evans is a gorgeous book that really captures BIG FEELINGS with a little magic realism thrown in too.
It has a well-mastered plot that is intelligent and full of warmth with some brilliant humour – my seven year-old laughed along heartily too – and some lovely lessons along the way. I loved how it captured Scarlett’s grievances and the growing anger that she must somehow learn to quell. I was rooting for her – and could completely identify (even at my BIG AGE) with her frustrations and the absolute unfairness of it all! The little twist that takes it out of reality really adds to the fun, and who wouldn’t do everything in their power to secure a trip to a place called Super Mega Awesome Sicky Fun World?
I highly recommend this excellent book for 5-10 year olds (and their parents) – it’s both hilarious and full of warmth and I can’t see how anyone could not love Scarlett!
Scarlett is a brilliant character surrounded by a vibrant and diverse cast of family members and friends (everyone needs a friend like Maisie) who has to deal with a whole heap of unfair reality with some hilarious and heartfelt consequences. The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife by Maz Evans is a gorgeous book that really captures BIG FEELINGS with a little magic realism thrown in too.
It has a well-mastered plot that is intelligent and full of warmth with some brilliant humour – my seven year-old laughed along heartily too – and some lovely lessons along the way. I loved how it captured Scarlett’s grievances and the growing anger that she must somehow learn to quell. I was rooting for her – and could completely identify (even at my BIG AGE) with her frustrations and the absolute unfairness of it all! The little twist that takes it out of reality really adds to the fun, and who wouldn’t do everything in their power to secure a trip to a place called Super Mega Awesome Sicky Fun World?
I highly recommend this excellent book for 5-10 year olds (and their parents) – it’s both hilarious and full of warmth and I can’t see how anyone could not love Scarlett!
May 12, 2021
What a fantastic, hilarious read. Scarlett is forthright, strong willed and well meaning - not always the best combination, as you'll find in these pages.
Scarlett is a modern day Matilda, using her own feelings of anger and disappointment to affect things. The difference is, Scarlett has no control. And she mostly blows things up instead of moving them harmlessly around.
But, like Matilda, Scarlett's feelings are very well deserved; with a bullying schoolmate enabled by his mother and her own mother accidentally forgetting her all the time, there's plenty to be upset at. I'm more or less on Scarlett's side here; her mother was working hard, yes, but she didn't attempt to explain or even really apologise to Scarlett for the various disappointments she suffered during the book.
I love the overall message, which is that talking things out is much better than keeping them bottled up inside. This is true even for those of us who can't blow things up (much as we might want to, sometimes.) and it's a great message for kids to read. Plus it's just really funny.
A fantastic read. Eleventy nine points.
Scarlett is a modern day Matilda, using her own feelings of anger and disappointment to affect things. The difference is, Scarlett has no control. And she mostly blows things up instead of moving them harmlessly around.
But, like Matilda, Scarlett's feelings are very well deserved; with a bullying schoolmate enabled by his mother and her own mother accidentally forgetting her all the time, there's plenty to be upset at. I'm more or less on Scarlett's side here; her mother was working hard, yes, but she didn't attempt to explain or even really apologise to Scarlett for the various disappointments she suffered during the book.
I love the overall message, which is that talking things out is much better than keeping them bottled up inside. This is true even for those of us who can't blow things up (much as we might want to, sometimes.) and it's a great message for kids to read. Plus it's just really funny.
A fantastic read. Eleventy nine points.
April 24, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Scarlett Fife. Most things about her life are pretty typical for a 9 (almost 10) year old. She loves maths, is obsessed with the latest UniMingo product, enjoys pizza nights with her mum and stepdad and spending time at her dad's house. However, Scarlett is known for letting her temper get the better of her. Her mum gives her an ultimatum, if Scarlett loses her temper once more, their family trip to an amazing theme park will be cancelled. Scarlett is really trying to manage her anger, but soon she discovers that each time she tries to keep it in, it bursts out of her...literally causing things to explode around her!
This was a lovely light-hearted read with an important message and I had a great time reading it. Scarlett is a feisty and hilarious main character who isn’t afraid to speak up when she feels something isn’t right. She doesn’t always make the best decisions, but you can’t help by love Scarlet for her honesty and how hard she tries. There are so many other brilliant characters that I can’t possibly list them all, so I’ll just stick to my favourites. First, William U and his mum. Every scene they were in was hilarious. I could practically hear Mrs U’s voice in my head explaining William’s latest syndrome! Then there was Maisie. Everyone should have a Maisie in their life. She gives such great advice and shows unconditional acceptance of Scarlett for just being who she is – I love it! Finally, Jakub is complete #stepdadgoals. I love this book’s representation of a ‘friendly divorce’ and Jakub, along with Scarlett’s mum and dad, portrays this brilliantly.
This will be a great read for children aged 8+ who like funny adventure stories with a little bit of magical mystery.
This story follows Scarlett Fife. Most things about her life are pretty typical for a 9 (almost 10) year old. She loves maths, is obsessed with the latest UniMingo product, enjoys pizza nights with her mum and stepdad and spending time at her dad's house. However, Scarlett is known for letting her temper get the better of her. Her mum gives her an ultimatum, if Scarlett loses her temper once more, their family trip to an amazing theme park will be cancelled. Scarlett is really trying to manage her anger, but soon she discovers that each time she tries to keep it in, it bursts out of her...literally causing things to explode around her!
This was a lovely light-hearted read with an important message and I had a great time reading it. Scarlett is a feisty and hilarious main character who isn’t afraid to speak up when she feels something isn’t right. She doesn’t always make the best decisions, but you can’t help by love Scarlet for her honesty and how hard she tries. There are so many other brilliant characters that I can’t possibly list them all, so I’ll just stick to my favourites. First, William U and his mum. Every scene they were in was hilarious. I could practically hear Mrs U’s voice in my head explaining William’s latest syndrome! Then there was Maisie. Everyone should have a Maisie in their life. She gives such great advice and shows unconditional acceptance of Scarlett for just being who she is – I love it! Finally, Jakub is complete #stepdadgoals. I love this book’s representation of a ‘friendly divorce’ and Jakub, along with Scarlett’s mum and dad, portrays this brilliantly.
This will be a great read for children aged 8+ who like funny adventure stories with a little bit of magical mystery.
March 7, 2021
This new title from the author of the 'Who Let The God's Out?' series, is another funny read. Scarlett Fife has big feelings about lots of things, especially if she thinks that something is unfair. Trying to control those feelings takes a lot of effort and, sometimes, the effort causes unintentional results.
There are lots of jokes and funny lines within the story. Some of these might go over the heads of younger readers but, as an adult, I really enjoyed them!
I think this would work really well as a class read-aloud story, as the characters lend themselves really well to different voices and emphasis.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for this advance copy in exchange for my review.
There are lots of jokes and funny lines within the story. Some of these might go over the heads of younger readers but, as an adult, I really enjoyed them!
I think this would work really well as a class read-aloud story, as the characters lend themselves really well to different voices and emphasis.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for this advance copy in exchange for my review.
June 5, 2021
This is a funny book that reads easily. Despite the humour and light hearted nature there are several very important messages woven through the book: friendship, family, justice, loss of loved ones and most importantly how to cope with big feelings. This is such an important book for children to understand that big feelings are ok and that there are ways to help you cope with them. Scarlett is a very relatable character and I know that children will connect with her and the other children in the class. The illustrations throughout the book are perfect. An ideal story to help children navigate life.
June 8, 2021
This was such a funny book. Scarlett is a really great character that I'm sure lots of children will relate to, alongside numerous others that are equally well imagined. I loved the good anger management advice and discussions that were included, the reassurance that it's ok to be angry about some things and that there are ways to help you deal with all those BIG FEELINGS. It was also very good at gently highlighting possible reasons behind the behaviours of others, which I felt was particularly well done. The main thing here though was that is is just so much fun!
My thanks to #NetGalley and Hatchett Children's Group for the ARC in return for an honest review.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Hatchett Children's Group for the ARC in return for an honest review.
June 15, 2021
This is such a fab book. How Maz Evans gets so many gags on almost every single page, is mind-boggling. Scarlett, as the title suggests, can make things (cake, piles of poo, etc) explode when she gets angry. So, keeping her emotions in check is important! And that's not easy when your stepdad has a court case running and your mum is stressed and forgetting your packed lunch and spending money for the school trip. Families, relationships, friends, school, teachers, annoying mums, school trips, school hamsters, etc are all packed into this rich and engaging story that kids will love. I lean toward this being a book for girls more than boys but boys could 100% enjoy it too. Just brilliant!
March 25, 2021
Lots of fun, children will love reading about Scarlett's temper and the trouble it gets her into (not to mention the poo references and Scarlett's perfectly reasonable expectations - a sparkly pencil - and disappointments - no sparkly pencil). The story seamlessly covers a multitude of topics including, amongst others, divorced parents, tricky feelings and same sex marriage by making them, exactly as they should be, a part of every day life. Loved it, keep up the great work Maz, 100 positivity points!
May 25, 2021
A lovely little read all about Scarlett Fife who has really big feelings! We follow Scarlett as she navigates school, friends and her very big feelings. Scarlett cannot seem to control her angry outbursts and it lands her in trouble with her mum and she has to prove to her mum she can control her emotions. A very light and funny book for middle grade children.
I’d recommend buying this book for children who may have trouble with their emotions and are reluctant to talk about them. There are some wonderful drawings which help break the book up and it’s really funny!
I’d recommend buying this book for children who may have trouble with their emotions and are reluctant to talk about them. There are some wonderful drawings which help break the book up and it’s really funny!
April 2, 2021
I can see how it would be enjoyable for younger children, but it's not for me. It actually reads like a steam of consciousness, but I found it as exhausting as it was charming. Scarlett has too much energy for me! But no doubt, kids will love this! It has all of the silliness of something like Walliams, but a much richer story, a stronger narrator, and an altogether more positive atmosphere.
April 11, 2021
Scarlett’s life is a bit complicated. Her step dad has lost his job so her mum is having to work extra hard to make ends meet, with the result that she’s a bit distracted and not paying Scarlett as much attention as she’d like. Her best friend Maisie also wants to be friends with new girl, Polly and William is as spoilt and selfish as ever, especially when he doesn’t get his own way. All of these things cause Scarlett to feel really angry... and when Scarlett feels angry, it’s as if she will EXPLODE!
Can Scarlett control her temper and begin to understand her feelings?
This is a great, fun read. I really enjoyed all the play on words; those expressions which don’t really make sense when you think about them and the teachers’ names which reflect their personalities.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Can Scarlett control her temper and begin to understand her feelings?
This is a great, fun read. I really enjoyed all the play on words; those expressions which don’t really make sense when you think about them and the teachers’ names which reflect their personalities.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2021
Maz Evans has done it again! The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife is perfect for younger readers with its short, snappy chapters, laugh-out-loud humour and messages about family, friendship and learning how to deal with tricky situations when life just doesn't seem fair. Destined to be a big hit with fans of the Baby Aliens series from Pamela Butchart!
December 8, 2022
very good
This book was very good, I love it. To be honest, I am a bit like Scarlett but I don’t make stuff explode of course. It has been really good because it’s not really an imaginary book, it’s kind of real life and I think the writer should write more of them!
Aphra - age 9
This book was very good, I love it. To be honest, I am a bit like Scarlett but I don’t make stuff explode of course. It has been really good because it’s not really an imaginary book, it’s kind of real life and I think the writer should write more of them!
Aphra - age 9
May 6, 2021
Such a fantastic book, I loved it. Scarlett has big feelings and can have quite a temper! I laughed a great and enjoyed reading how Scarlett managed her school life, how she dealt with injustices and her desperateness to take the classroom hamster home. This is a great book for a 7-10 year old.
June 15, 2021
The queen of comedy does it again. This is absolutely superb. I love Scarlett, she tells it like it is and gets into some very 'interesting' siutations. I defy anyone not to be chuckling away throughout.
November 18, 2021
Lovely book based around a modern family. Deals with a same gender marriage as well as divorced parents and deals with anger too. This book really does cover a lot and it's written in a jovial manner to appeal to most children.
April 9, 2022
Loved reading this book! It had me laughing as well as making my eyes leak a little towards the end. Brilliant book with likeable, diverse characters and food for thought when thinking about perspective and empathy as well as dealing with emotions. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 1, 2021
Pure Maz Evans delight!
June 9, 2021
This was SO MUCH FUN. I already can’t wait for the next one. Loved the diverse characters too.
June 20, 2021
I genuinely could not put this book down. Would recommend people of all ages give this a try!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2021
Muito bom!
May 22, 2022
We loved this. Pre ordered the second and third one. My daughter loved this and went as scarlett to world book day
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews