After Freddie's grandma dies unexpectedly, he discovers that she's left him a letter, one that contains his birth certificate. Freddie's always known that his dad wasn't his biological dad, but until that moment, he hadn't known anything about his birth dad, and now he knows his name - Alan Froggley. Having lost his Mum shortly after he was born, and now that he's lost his grandma, Freddie worries that he won't have any family left if something happens to his dad, so he decides he needs to find his birth dad. So, along with his two best friends, Freddie sets out on and adventure he will never forget.
OK, at this point, I need to say that I can't believe I haven't read this book before! I'm a big fan of Jenny's books as you'll see from my blog, and she's a lovely person (she's been to school twice for book events and always goes down a storm ... she even got the entire school to sing happy birthday to me on her first visit!) so how this book has passed me by, I'll never know. However, a holiday trip to Barter Books in Alnwick earlier this week rectified that (if you've never been, I can highly recommend a visit if you're ever in Northumberland: it's an amazing second hand book stores in the most gorgeous setting). Anyway, I digress!
Freddie is struggling following the death of his grandma, and is looking for answers (he's a kid who loves facts so needing answers makes sense -I love that the book is peppered with unusual facts, by the way!). A quick internet search of his biological dad's name leads him to a company in Wales so with the school holidays having just started, he and his best friends, Ben and Charlie, decide to concoct a plan to head off on an overnight trip. Easy really: tell parents they're staying at each other's houses, nip off on the train, meet Alan, head back the next day, no problem ... except it doesn't quite go like that! What ensues is a hilarious and often mad-capped adventure that will have you laughing out loud. It's a brilliant read with a host of wonderful characters who are very relatable for readers. The bond between the boys is evident to see: friends and absolutely there for each other no matter what, but still arguing and disagreeing at times - it's a real friendship and it's good for readers to see that friends argue.
I must, at this stage, mention Rob Biddulph's wonderful illustrations which perfectly compliment the story and add to the humour - it's the perfect pairing.
Jenny has a way of being able to weave laughter, warmth and tears seamlessly into a book and The Super Miraculous Journey Of Freddie Yates is a perfect example of this. I laughed on so many occasions but also definitely found a tear rolling down my face at the end. With important messages about family and friendship woven in (and a host of facts to illuminate you along the way), this is a book you need to read.
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