Doncaster: Discover the Spirit
Weird
by Jeremy Strong
So far we have received 55 reviews of Weird. You can read them below.
Lewis from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
This book is as weird as the title suggests. However, I have to
reccomend it to anyone who appreciates the sillines in people
(which in this case is the adults aswell as the teenagers). My
favourite parts had to be Mrs Kowalski's escape attempt (with a
spoon) assisted by Madame Dupont, plus the wheelchair races
down the corridors of the old peoples home. Finally, if being
fourteen is anything like in the book, I think I ought to warn
my parents now!!!
Hannah from Year 11, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
This book is exactly what the title says it is Weird! Despite
this and the confusing old people in the home I enjoyed it. I
liked the structure of the story, the way one chapter was told
by one character then the other told by the other character.
This makes it good as you can see can two different characters
points of view on each other and the things that happen.
Beatrice from Year 6, Bessacarr Primary School:
Just like the name this book is toatlly weird.
Jack from Year 5, Hall Cross School:
realy good the best book eva
Jessica from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
Weird is a very good book it is sort of like a teen book. It
is about this girl who fancies this boy. I recomend this book
to young teens my favourite charecter is fizz she is a really
good charecter.
bonnie from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
I have given this book 7/10 because it is weird and I dont
really like it a lot
Megan from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
I liked Wierd because it is interesting and unusual. My
favourite character was josh because he was funny and his life
was wierd. It is a good story.
Daniel from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
Fizz thinks Josh is the king of handsome. Josh doesn't like
Fizz very much. At the start of the book it tells how he has
loads of animals and they invade his bedroom. At the start of
the book it tells you about the characters and their
personality. As the story goes on it builds up to the main
part where Fizz and Josh try to help the old people in the home
they are working in to escape. They are using spoons to dig,
that is why there is a spoon on the front. I liked the book.
I thought the title suits the book perfectly as a lot of the
story is very wierd. A few parts were a little bit boring
however it was mostly very funny.
Stephanie from Year 7, Rossington All Saints School:
This book is totally weird. Beware for elapsing events of
madness.
I gave this book a 9 out of 10 because the book is realy funny
but rather strange, its about a girl called Fizz and a boy
called Josh and how they do work expeirience together.
Mark from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
I think Wierd by Jeremy Strong is excellent because in the
first chapter it tells you so much about the characters,
telling you about the day in Josh's opinion, then Fizz's. So
you get as much detail as possible. The whole story is about a
14 year old, Josh who has a lot to put upo with, for example
his Dad who left a year ago. He has to put up with his Mum who
has animals everywhere and is really messy, but Josh likes neat
like his Dad. Josh and Fizz do work experience at a nursing
home, whre the oldies try to dig their way out with only
tablespoons. Matron is a huge giant who bosses Fizz and Josh
about. She thinks she's God but she doesn't even own the care
home. Fizz has a secret crush on Josh, but he loves Fizz's
older sister. Fizz thinks she's a freak because she has got
wierd glasses and braces. Josh is only friensds with her at
first because he can walk home with Fizz's sister.....
tamara from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
this book was ace it is my favirote book of all times . the
carictores in the book are the best.
Hayley-jade from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
Josh wakes up in the morning and finds a goat chewing his bed
and he tells his mum. I think thats why the book is called
weird because that is weird. Fizz fancies Josh but Josh does'nt
fancy her. Fizz and josh were meant to work together at an old
people's home. The old people think strange things about Fizz
and Josh. aFizz massaged Josh on his shoulders and he liked it
. So far they are getting along but will they carry on liking
each other... To find out read the book. I liked the book
because it was funny. My favourite character was Fizz because
she was very funny. I did not like the part where the goat was
chewing his bed because it was a bit stupid. I would recommend
this book to people who are humourous.
Emily from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:
I think this book was great.It was very very funny and i really
liked it.I hope jeremy strong will write more of these books.I
am really glad to be in book group and cant wait till the
doncater book awards.
Samantha from Year 11, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
This book was good but not the best! It is a very easy read and
I think I finished it in about a day. Ruby Rogers gets into a
bit of a predicament by double booking herself basically and
that's what the story's about, Ruby trying to get out of it.
Its a fairly basic story but quite a good one. I would
recommend it to anyone really.
Eden from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:
i thought that this book was so amazing and i loved it and i
thought that it was really weird
Rhian from Year 9, De Warenne Academy:
I have just fifnished reading WIERD and thought it was
well...Wierd , i couldnt put it down , the ending was so
unpredictable , i would love to read another one of his books
as i really enjoyed it .
Rhian
James from Year 7, Hall Cross School:
This book was absoulubtly hilarious! It has also made me want
to read more Jeremy Strong books. I would recomend it to people
aged 10+ as it has a few rude words however you soon forget
them after another paragraph or so! I only rated this book 9/10
because I didn't quite finish it but I totaly recomend this
book!
Emma from Year 8, Rossington All Saints School:
This book was really weird. It was good but for me it was a
little too weird.
Owen from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
I think that this book is the best and it will win the
book awards
megan from Year 7, Adwick Park Junior School:
i gave this book 10 out of 10because it was the 2nd best book i
have ever read here is my reveiw:
this book is about a boy and a girl called josh (goat)
felicity (fizz) who are doing there work experience in an old
folks home called marigolds but something very strange
happens...
read the book to find out more
lewis from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:
This funny book is an amazing story about a girl called fizz
who has a crush on a boy called josh and this book is about the
adventures they both have at an old peoples home. If you like
wheel chairs and imginary cats you'll love this book!
Laura from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
I loved this book because it is the funniest book I've evr read
and I'm sure everyone loves it. The book definitely has an
accurate name as its as wierd as the title. It has a lot of
excitement in it nearly all the time, and it has something you
don't see in most books, one chapter its one person speaking
and the next chapter is a different one. So you are seeing the
story through their eyes.
My favourite character was Fizz because I thought she was just
so funny and wierd. Every time it was her chapter I always
ended up laughing, it's just so wierd. She has such a strange
life and you just can't help laughing, its hilarious.
I would recommend this book to everyone from year seven to
eleven because it is an amusing book. everyone who loves a
laugh and some fun will love this book.
jamie from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
Wierd. The title was bang on. So was the front page. At first
it was a little hard to tell when you had finished a chapter
but it did not I repeat did not make a difference. Over all a
truly wierd and amazing story line. thankyou Jeremy Strong for
a cracking book.
Abie from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
This book is about a boy called Josh and a girl called Fizz.
Josh's Mum works at an animal rescue sanctuary and always has
animals running around loose in the house. It can be crazy
when goats decide to mate on your bed! Fizz, an unappealing
teenager has big glasses and traintrack braces. Josh fancies
Fizz's goddess-like big sister, but Fizz fancies Josh! Josh
thinks Fizz is a dentally challenged girl, Fizz thinks Josh is
the prince of handsomeness.
On a school work experience trip Josh gets sent to Marigolds
old people's home but so does Fizz. This can only mean one
thing - wierd! THe old people there are mentally crazy and they
try to escape using tablespoons..???
Matron and Mr Winkleberry are power greedy freaks! THere's Mrs
Kowalski, she's definitely mad! Miss Dash, she's quite sweet
and only has one leg and one eye. Mrs Ogweyo can't stop
worrying and is obviously mad. Madame Dupont isn't mad,
surprise surprise and she is french.
This book is one of the funniest books I have read in a long
time. A great pleasure to read and I want to read more of
these books. Well done Jeremy Strong, one of your best yet!
Theresa from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:
This book is very funny. It is about a girl called Fizz who has
a love for a boy in her class called Josh. They get sent to an
old people's home for a week for a project with school so it is
now Fizz's chance to get Josh to notice her.
This book is something you can't put down. I give it 10/10!
Alice from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:
This is a funny kind of book. It simarlizes some types of lifes
people have. It also makes things intresting even if they are
boring. This book would be amed at people who are older and
people who can be mature reading this kind of book.
My favourite character is Fizz(Felcity).
Lucy from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:
Weird is the best book I have read all year! It made me laugh
quite a lot and I found it hard to stop reading. I have read
lots of Jeremy Strong's books but this is by far the best. If
you haven't already read this book I really recommend that you
read it soon!
This book is about a girl called Fizz who really likes this boy
called Josh. When they go on work experience together Fizz gets
her chance to show Josh what she is really like. At first Josh
doesn't like Fizz, but as the week goes by he starts to like
her more. I won't tell you any more of the story because it
might spoil it and it won't make the book as good if you know
the ending. As I say, if you haven't already read this book GET
IT READ AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!
Lucy
emma from Year 8, De Warenne Academy:
2 words: Wierd and amazing. And funny.
kiara from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
Fizz thinks Josh is the prince of handsomeness and Josh thinks
fizz speaks gibberish. The story starts where josh's mum is
neat and tidy and he is the oppersite, also his mum works at a
animal sanctuary and she bring home some of the animals home if
the animal sanctuary is full. As the stoy goes on it builds up
to the main part which is Fizz and Josh have to work together
at a old people home, but they are wonting to escape. They try
to use tablespoons. I like this book because the humor in it,
its funny just like a teenage girl trying to get a boy to like
her. People say that weird is weird but they are wrong it's not
werd at all. Thisis the only jeremy strong book i hae read and
i loved it. I would recommend this book to anyone including
adult.
from Year 5, Adwick Park Junior School:
This book is EXTREAMLY ffunny! >>> i loved it! x My faveriot
bit would deffinetly be when the oldiieess decide to try and
get out of the home usung TABLESPOONS!!! I think that Fizz and
Josh make a perfect couple!!! I do however think that The Lady
In The Tower was just a little bit better!!1
Cecelia from Year 7, Armthorpe School:
This book is EXTREAMLY good! ... i loved it! x
Rebekah from Year 7, Adwick Park Junior School:
I have not read all of this book but so far I think it's
absolutely amazing and ssooooooooooooo wierd!
This book is one of my top 3 which is pretty impressing to say
I've not fully read it yet so things may change...
keeley from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
This book is about a boy called Josh and a girl called Fizz.
Fizz loves Josh and Josh is not in love with fizz.fizz thinks
she looks like frankenstine but her mum says she dosnt.This
book is very wierd because it goes to Fizz's story then Josh's
story. My favourite character is Fizz because she is very
funny when she chatters to Josh a lot and he tries to get out
of it. I would recommend this book to yr7 and 8 because it is a
very funny book and yr7 and 8 would find it funny
JACK from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
A VERY WEIRD BOOK BUT HOWEVER NOT ONE THAT SUITS ME AS I
PERSONALLY PREFER ACTION NOT WEIRDNESS. BUT VERY ENJOYBLE AND
MADE MY DAY.
Bethany from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:
This book as the title says is very weird. Some pieces of it
were to do with normal life. The main party of the story was
fizz trying to get a boy to like her. i liked fizz because she
was funny. I wouldn't recommend this book because it was funny
at first but then it got very boring.
Megan from Year 8:
Ok, ... they don't have my school listed. I go 2 John Taylor
High School... Anyway...
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! It was well funny, and the story line
was weird and quite cool!!!
I so recommend to people with a sense of humor!!
10/10
Nicole from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:
I think weird is a very very funny book and it always made me
laugh and the funniest part was the begining when she saw two
goats mating in the bed. that really made me laugh and i showed
everyone on my table and they lauhed too!and its also very
funny when they found out that they where booth going to help
the oldes then fizz tryed getting close to josh and then in the
end josh tells her that they just want to be friends. that why
i gave it 10 out 0f 10!!!
Abigail from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:
This is definitely the best book I have read so far. I give it
a 10 because like the title, the book really is WEIRD! My
favourite characters were definitely Fizz and Mrs Kowalski.
Here's a bit about the book...
Fizz loves Josh, but Josh hates Fizz. They get chosen for work
expereince in an old people's home. As the week goes on Josh
starts to like Fizz more and more and more...
Read the book to find out the ending. I highly recommend it for
older readers. Enjoy!
Jack from Year 9, Danum School Technology College:
Weird, in all honesty, was exactly the title..."weird!" Still,
I suppose it had to be quite funny, and did make me laugh a few
times! Because of the funny jokes and childish comedy used in
this book by the popular children's author Jeremy Strong, this
book could prove popular, and in my opinion, definitely stands
a chance to make the shortlist this year, although it may not
be one of my favourites. The story is based upon two main
characters in particular, written in the 1st person for both at
different chapters in the story, Josh and Fizz. Now, Fizz
fancies Josh and thinks he's "hunky" and would especially like
to go out with him, however, Josh is the complete opposite,
thinking Fizz is ugly and weird, with a "weird brace" and
"old-fashioned glasses." Basically, as characters, they don't
really mix and are quite unlike each other. But as the story
goes on, Fizz and Josh are placed in work experience at
Marigolds by their school, and gradually make friends and find
similarities between the two of them. They both go through many
experiences at Marigolds, which is an old people's home by the
way, where they meet old people, find their secrets, (including
an attempt to dig a tunnel out of the place) meet the, what
seems to be, strictest owners in the world, and much more
"weird" stuff! The catch is, they both have to work together to
write a report of the full day at each others house, which
turns out to be a huge problem for Josh as his house is a
complete and utter mess! Animals roam the place, from goats
mating to chameleon's going missing, which seems like normal
life for his mother, who takes huge care for animals, too much
for her son's liking...! Anyway, the "couple" get through the
adventure, with a 400 word report for each day, their English
teacher, Mrs Taylor's demands. However, the "couple" get up to
a lot more than that, including massages, "messing around" and
even a "kiss of life" towards the end. Could Fizz actually get
her wish, of them being together, or is that never going to
happen, especially with Josh's state of mind? Read the book to
find out much more! I have to say, Weird is a good laugh and a
great book for younger children, but for me, I just am not too
sure whether I enjoyed it or not. Either way, we'll just have
to wait and see if it reaches the shortlist!
jordan from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
I thought this book was extrimaly FUNNY (Ha Ha). His books are
veary funny.
W- wicked
E- exciting
I- intresting
R-rude
D-devine
:) :) :) :) :) :) :0
Natalie from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:
I enjoyed this book because it made me laugh with some of the
things Fizz said.
My Favourite character was Fizz because she spoke really fast
and alot when she was nervous.
I did not dislike anything about this book.
I would recommend this book because it makes you smile!
dean from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:
at the start i was boring than i got better
Ashleigh from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:
At the begining, it was a bit rude because it said that 2 goats
were making out on the bed! When Josh gave Fizz a kiss she
described it as mushy and slushy! URGH!!!!!!
Dean from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:
This is one of my favourites. I am giving this book a 10/10
because it was good.
Adam from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:
Not read it completely but it is hilarious
It is wierd.
A few reason why
it had josh's side of the story
then it had fizz's.
A bit hard to follow, funny though but it still is funny. all
hail Jeremy Strongs abilitie to make you laugh.
Ruby from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:
this book fits the title WEIRD. my favourite was fizz. She
speaks fast does the wrong things at the wrong time and is very
funny. Josh's house is manic but very funny. At the start you
wonder if you josh will ever like fizz. I did not dislike
anything about this book. this is an easy read and makes you
laugh. it is a girly kind of book at the end but it is still a
great book for boys. I would vote for it to win it is that good
.
Isabelle from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:
Weird is like a journey through a funny, totally laughable
place. If I could change it one bit I would put myself in it.
I was lucky enough to be the first one to read it out of our
school. Everybody was nagging me to give it to them, but it was
just so interesting and brilliant. I never wanted to end. Like
a lol productions, I loved it!
Lucy from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:
I loved this book! It's soooo funny! It's a great thing to
read, because, although nothing big happens, it's just about
everyday life, but its funny, and as the title suggests, very,
very wierd!
Holly from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
'Weird' and it certainly is !!!
Weird begins by telling us that Fizz likes Josh, the problem is
he doesn't like her back and if that was the premise for the
story it would be fine but there are old people trying escape
from a old peoples home with teaspoons, goats eating beds and
all manner of other bizarre stuff going on.
If being fourteen is like this I'm not looking forward to it!!
Read this book if you have a taste for the unusual as I prefer
a bit more normality it wasn't my favourite book this year.
Yasmin from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
Wicked
Excellent
Illustrations
Really good
Dreamy
ryan from Year 7, De Warenne Academy:
i think this book was ok and it was curious
Lauren Shepheard from Year 7, Hall Cross School:
I loved this book it was funny as iliked the first paragraph
about the goats it was hilarious!!!
Mary from Year 7, Rossington All Saints School:
This was the 2nd book I had read from the Doncaster Book Award
selection (after 'A Bit of a Hero'). This book really does live
up to its title and is weird from the beginning. At first I
wasn't so sure about this book but then I started to get into
it. It's about two fourteen year olds called Josh and Fizz and
Fizz has a total crush on Josh. When they do work experience at
an old people's home they start to get closer and stuff starts
to get really weird! It's quite a good book but I wouldn't say
it's one of my favourites. Sorry Jeremy Strong! 7/10!
Rebecca from Year 9, Danum School Technology College:
There is a boy called Josh, who can't stand this girl called
Fizz. this is because she wears braces on her teeth and blabs
on a lot. Fizz realy likes Josh, because he is handsome and she
thinks he is a Prince. The two end up doing work experience at
Marigold's Old people's home. Fizz wants to use this
opportunity to get Josh to fall in love with her. But, things
start to get very weird. Josh's Mum looks after animals in her
home which ends up with goats on the sofa. Fizz has a big
Sister called Lauren. Josh really likes her, because he thinks
she is goddess-like. There is also a scene going on at
Marigold's, because they are supposedly trying to escape using
table spoons. This book is really funny and I would recommend
it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. xx
Rebecca from Year 7, Rossington All Saints School:
I think that this book was very boring in some parts and that
it should not get onto the shortlist and definitely should NOT
win
Colony
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Peter the Penguin Pioneer
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Gervase Phinn
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E E Richardson
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Cookie
Jacqueline Wilson
Bloodchild
Tim Bowler
The Robber Baron's Daughter
Jamila Gavin- Colony
J A Henderson 
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Marie-Louise Jensen
The Long Weekend
Savita Kalhan
The Haunting of Nathaniel Wolfe
Brian Keaney
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Ally Kennen- Peter the Penguin Pioneer
Daren King - Ruby Rogers: Party Pooper
Sue Limb 
Blood Ties
Sophie McKenzie
Indian Summer
Pratima Mitchell
Boys United
Tom Palmer- A Bit of a Hero
Gervase Phinn 
Nation
Terry Pratchett
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Chris Priestley- The Soul Trade
E E Richardson 
The Kiss of Death
Marcus Sedgwick- Frozen in Time
Ali Sparkes 
Weird
Jeremy Strong- Cookie
Jacqueline Wilson
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