BAD GRAMMAR - A SCHOOL FOR GENTLEMEN BY NATHAN LUFF

Marcus Grady is a warrior and when he is playing his favourite game, he is invincible. In real life however, 12-year-old Marcus has no friends since Bashir flew out to India. He prefers playing Dragon Warrior, he doesn’t need other kids, especially the bully who demands Marcus hands over his lunch every day.

Marcus’ happy life is turned inside out when it is decided he spends too much time on the computer and is sent away to boarding school where, hopefully, he will learn to make friends and overcome his gaming addiction. He arrives at Bourkely Boys Grammar and is horrified by what he sees. It is situated exactly in the middle of nowhere and even worse, there is no internet or computers. Sleeping involves balancing precariously in a hammock and the food is so bad that one boy, Trent, has lost a third of his body weight in just one term. Marcus is befriended by Fred who talks continually and Trent, Fred’s bodyguard. The prefects, especially one called Scarface, are brutal and bullying is commonplace. All Marcus wants to do is escape.

Can Marcus find a way to leave this hell hole? Can he get to the one and only phone to call his parents? At every turn Marcus is presented with stumbling blocks that being a warrior, should make easy to overcome. As the students hurtle towards an unforeseen consequence of an overly exuberant history lesson and the toppling of a king bully, Marcus learns more about himself, and about friends, loyalty and forgiveness.

Nathan Luff has created a school that features in children’s nightmares, but not all is as it seems. Crazy teachers, a terrifying Principal, a library ghost and the half blind Italian bus driver all come together to create a wonderful adventure for junior and Middle Grade readers. Marcus’ thoughts and wonderful snippets from ‘The Warrior’s Guide to Everything’ create a character who will resonate with many readers. This re-release novel still packs a punch.

For Ages: 8 - 12 years

Number of Pages: 283

Published: April 2023 Walker Books Australia (originally released January 2013)

Themes: Friendship, bullying, video game addiction, resilience

Purchase here: https://www.sequelbooks.com/bad-grammar