Children’s eAudiobook title for May: Moone Boy: The Blunder Years

Moone boy: the Blunder Years, written and read by Chris O'Dowd and Nick V. Murphy

Children’s eAudiobook title for May is Moone Boy: The Blunder Years by Chris O’Dowd and Nick Vincent Murphy

“Martin Moone is 11 and fed up with being the only boy in a family of girls. With three elder sisters, he’s desperate for a sidekick to help him fight his corner. When best mate Padraic suggests getting an imaginary friend, he decides to give it a go. His first attempt is Loopy Lou, who loves practical jokes and is a dab hand at balloon-modelling.”

“But Martin soon gets fed up with Lou’s clowning around, so selects Sean ‘Caution’ Murphy instead. Sean is much more up Martin’s street - and full of advice about how Martin should negotiate day-to-day life, from dealing with his sisters’ pranks to beating the bullying Bonner Boys.”

“But getting rid of Lou is not that easy, and two imaginary friends is a recipe for trouble!”

Watch a book trailer for Moone Boy: The Blunder Years

Read a review of this title on the Booktrust website.

About the authors

Chris O’Dowd is an actor, writer and director, and has previously received a Tony nomination for his leading role in the Broadway production Of Mice and Men. He is the creator of the book series and television show Moone Boy, which was inspired by his own childhood in Roscommon, Ireland.

Nick Vincent Murphy is a writer and producer, best known for his work co-writing Moone Boy with Chris.

Visit the Moone Boy website for author interviews, activities and an extra from the book.

Book group discussion questions:

How would you describe Martin Moone?
Why does Martin ask for an imaginary friend? Can you think of other reasons why people invent imaginary friends?
Do you have an imaginary friend? You could ask your family or friends if they ever had one.
Who makes a better imaginary friend – an adult or a child? Why?
How long do you think you can have an imaginary friend for?
Try to think of other books which are written as a diary. Can you list any examples?
What is the effect of reading a book written as someone’s diary rather than a traditional story?
Why do people keep diaries? Have you heard of any famous diarists?

Creative writing prompts

Create your own imaginary friend – picture them and write a description. Think about their age, what clothes they are wearing, what they look like. Think about what their habits might be and what particular phrases they might say. See an example by Kate →
Write a diary entry for a day spent either at home or at school with your imaginary friend. What did you get up to? You could also try a comic-strip diary where you draw and illustrate what you have been up to.
Try out some of Loopy Lou’s mad poetry skills by writing a rhyming rap.
Try writing a diary entry from the perspective of Sean ‘Caution’ Murphy

Written and compiled by Jessica Briscoe and Imogen Tink.

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