Charlie wants to have a paper round but, when he asks the local newsagent for one, he discovers a frightening truth. A few gangster grannies have taken over the rounds, and anyone who dares to challenge them is in for a very difficult time. Luckily for Charlie, his best friend, Hils, is a wannabe commando with all sorts of warfare skills. Together they decide to fight. But they find that little fluffy grannies should never be underestimated. There are times when Hils’s determination and slightly manic approach to life are the only things that keep Charlie from giving up. He’s a peace-loving, gentle soul who doesn’t want a battle; he just wants to ride his bike and earn a little bit of pocket money.

Alan Brough (from ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks) is a very funny man.This hilarious story becomes sillier and sillier as the plot unfolds and the tension builds. Charlie’s attempts to win the right to a paper round is a brilliant, laugh-out-loud adventure. And, amid all the mayhem, young readers are encouraged to fight for their dreams, no matter how big or how small they are.

Reviewed by Wendy Noble
Age Guide 10+