A smart, funny Barrington Stoke story that teenage readers will love.
Welton Blake finally builds up the courage to ask out Carmella McKenzie, but a series of unfortunate disasters seem intent on making sure he never makes it to the date. From embarrassing sickness episodes, a run-in with a wall and trouble at home, Welton can't catch a break.
There's a huge market for funny, contemporary YA, but there are a lot more stories with female protagonists than male. The Humiliations of Welton Blake will appeal to a huge variety of readers looking for something a bit different, or for a hilariously unfortunate protagonist they can see their own teenage trials in.
Welton moves from disaster to disaster in a series of events that will have readers laughing and cringing in equal measure. This is wishing the floor would swallow you up embarrassment at its finest! But throughout, it is impossible not to sympathise with Welton, who is a great character who has an extraordinary run of bad luck.
I loved all the Star Wars references too - Welton is rounded character with so many interests. He's a typical teenager who wants to get through school in one piece, and is a character readers will be easily able to relate to (even if they haven't run head first into a wall after seeing the girl they like enter the room!)
Perfect for secondary school libraries, this book is brilliant! Thank you so much Barrington Stoke for providing me with an advanced copy for review.
The Humiliations of Welton Blake is written by Alex Wheatle.