He still saw both his parents. It was just that he only ever saw them separately. He wished he could see them both at the same time. Maybe then things could be like they were before? He was sure it was still possible – all he had to do was think of a way to make it happen.
Robert’s parents have separated and rather than have him live with one or the other, he’s been despatched to boarding school. His schoolwork is slipping and his only friend asks unanswerable questions. Robert spends alternate weekends with each parent, who never see each other. As if things aren’t bad enough, Mum has a new boyfriend, Adam. Robert is sure that when he has repaired the broken wedding cake ornament, everything will be alright again, like it was before his parents separated. But his efforts seem to make everything worse. It’s time to get serious.
Superglued echoes the emotions of many children in this challenging situation. Neville Barnard tackles a difficult subject with a healthy dose of humour. While Robert struggles to adjust to the changes in his life, his friend Jon asks questions like ‘What do you call a black greyhound?’ and ‘Why is the third hand on a watch called a second hand?’ As Robert repairs the ornament and finds ways to get his parents to spend time together, the reader is kept guessing. Barnard’s light touch allows the reader to enjoy the escalating action while empathising with Robert, his parents and even Adam, the new boyfriend. Recommended for mid-upper primary readers.
Superglued, by Neville Barnard
Lothian Books 2006
ISBN: 9780734409300
You can buy this book onlie at Fishpond.