Someone called Buster Jones gets detention but it gets longer and longer because he does silly things such as climbing out the window to escape the detention and then drawing rude graffiti of the teachers. I “ t looks like Marcus,” Derek laughs. “Or Norman Watson on candy!” I say. “Bet it belongs to a little new kid who doesn’t know any better!” says Derek. “What kind of person would have a stupid-looking bike like that?” I laugh. Ha! HHaa! ! HHaa!! HHaa! ! Ha! We both laugh! But is NOT laughing Tu T Tu T because it’s her bike. School janitor Stan is shaking his head and tutting in a disapproving way (which is making his keys jangle) because I have upset Amy (AGAIN!). She calls me an and takes her bike away. I say “Sorry,” but Amy ignores me. (She ignored my five merits, too.) It’s been a terrib le day . 39 Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly) is the 9th Tom Gates book and follows Tom as he runs for the school council and TRIES to be top of the class. As per usual things don’t quite go according to plan… If only Tom could follow his own TOP tips for being Top of the Class! 1. Stay awake in lessons (it helps.) 2. Don’t draw HILARIOUS pictures of your teachers. 3. AVOID the class bully to stay out of trouble. 4. Don’t let Mum and Dad write ANYTHING in your school planner. . Don’t let your grumpy sister Delia BOSS you around. (Technically not a school issue - but still important.)

Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly) - Goodreads Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly) - Goodreads

W Newhich is a TOM GATES WORLD REC ORD . . . . And this is the R EALLY good bit . . . has just arrived too! I am so pleased to see her after the holidays. I smile in what I think is a nice, friendly cheery way. Amy is not impressed. She looks at me like I’m weird (but I’m not). Me smiling HI, Amy! (This is a bad start to my day.) Th en it g ets worse. . . . 5 Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2020-07-29 16:06:25 Boxid IA1888119 Camera Sony Alpha-A6300 (Control) Collection_set printdisabled External-identifier When a drawing Tom did of a teacher inspired by Buster also goes missing Tom gets worried he may end up in a lot of trouble, did enemy Marcus or Bully Buster have anything to do with this? It sounds like you had a very eventful time, Tom! Excellent work. I felt like I was there . . . but glad I wasn’t! Merit Points 28 Top Of The Class (Nearly) is the ninth Tom Gates book and is a delightful read for younger children. I have never read a Tom Gates book before, but I dived headfirst into book 9, incredibly impressed by the fantastic layout of this book. It’s filled with tons of different fonts and different font sizes, there’s drawings of the characters in various situations and it feels like it’s interactive (even though it isn’t). It’s fully immersive and that’s incredible.No, she’s still not looking. Marcus says he’s got five merits as well. “Great,” I say. “We’re like twins now,” says Marcus. (He’s so annoying.) I show Mom and Dad my story because I think they’ll be pleased with me (for a change). 30

Review: Tom Gates – Top Of The Class (nearly) | iluvbooks403 Review: Tom Gates – Top Of The Class (nearly) | iluvbooks403

Tom gets into running for school council in this book however when he spots school bully Buster doing graffiti, Tom tells his best mate Derek via drawing and soon things get out of hand as people find out and spread it round.Then Derek comes over (he’s in Mrs. Worthington’s class, not mine, because we chat too much). I’ve seen him loads during t he s u mme r. (H i s h a i r h a s grown — h e hasn’t.) I show him my ideas and drawings for a band name. (He likes DOGZOMBIES best . . . me, too.) When Marcus Meldrew barges into our chat. . . . “What’s that?” “Ideas for our band.” “What band?” “Me and Derek are in a band, and we’re thinking of what to call ourselves.” “That’s easy.” “Really?” (Marcus has an idea.) 33 The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other) by Geoff Rodkey and its sequel are forming themselves into a brilliant series for the same age group – and for those with the same brief visual attention span.