Dec 06, 2009

Lori Anderson rated it: 5 Stars

Goodreads.com

Read in December, 2009

This is such a fun book! I love reading juvenile literature, and this book was a hilarious choice. While the story is a fantastical journey of epic (to a kid!) proportions, the dialogue will ring true to the book's intended target market.

It's also a book perfect for those who like to (even secretly) root for the underdog. Who doesn't want to win against the bully, save the day, and look cool while doing it? There are bullies you love to laugh at (Big Bobby Boom and his sidekick...more This is such a fun book! I love reading juvenile literature, and this book was a hilarious choice. While the story is a fantastical journey of epic (to a kid!) proportions, the dialogue will ring true to the book's intended target market.

It's also a book perfect for those who like to (even secretly) root for the underdog. Who doesn't want to win against the bully, save the day, and look cool while doing it? There are bullies you love to laugh at (Big Bobby Boom and his sidekicks Booker and Biff) and funny, unlikely heroes Elliot and Jimmy, who really had better watch what they're doing or they might get hurt saving the day.

The book starts off with a bang and keeps up a rapid pace all the way to the ending -- no slow starts or dead bits here. I hope the book gets a wide readership and is picked up by a larger publishing house (right now it's published by an independent Canadian press).

A quick read, great for the adolescent (and adult who perhaps got picked on one to many times in school) -- try this one out!

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BIG BOBBY BOOM! AND THE MARBLE MAYHEMAuthor:  Gregg SeeleyPublisher:  Moosehide BooksISBN:  978-1-894650-75-5Reading Level:  Ages 9-12Rating:  5 starsReviewed by:  Debbie Smart, Book Reviewer – Stories For Children Magazine  BIG BOBBY BOOM! AND THE MARBLE MAYHEM is full of humor, fun, adventure and lots mischief.  Elliott Blue is the new kid in town and is the target of the chief town bully – Big Bobby Boolacheck – “aka” Big Bobby Boom!  The Boolachecks run the town – every aspect of the town.  Big Bobby Boom’s henchmen Booker and Biff Muldoon assist Big Bobby Boom with terrorizing not just Elliott – but almost all the other kids at school too.  Nobody has dared to stand up or challenge the way things are in the town of Bunsel – all because of the Boolachecks.    Fortunately, for Elliott, his trusted cousin, Jimmy “The Slick” Blue – shows Elliott a few ingenious tricks of his own when he moves in with Elliott and his family.  Readers will enjoy the antics of Elliott and Jimmy as they become infamous pranksters who go head to head with Big Bobby Boom crashing his birthday party, planning a bit of hi-jinx in the hockey rink and spicing up lunchtime with hot pepper pie. BIG BOBBY BOOM! AND THE MARBLE MAYHEM, written by Gregg Seeley is geared for reluctant and inquisitive readers – as well as being a fun read for anyone who has ever been bullied.   

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Big Bobby BOOM! And The Marble Mayhem

Gregg Seeley

ISBN: 9781894650755

Moose Hide Books

Reviewed By Rhonda Carver

Official Apex Reviews Rating: 4.5 Stars

As if it isn’t enough that he’s small for his age, Elliot just happens to be - on

top of all else - the new kid in town, which makes him subject to more than his

fair share of rough treatment. The chief source of his torment: chief bully Big

Bobby Boolacheck - better known as “Big Bobby Boom!” - who, along with his

henchmen Booker and Biff, sets out to make Elliot’s life as unforgettably miserable

as possible.

Elliott doesn’t have to suffer long, though, because quickly coming to his

rescue is his trusted cousin, Jimmy “The Slick” Blue - who, during his time in the

big city, just so happened to pick up quite a few tricks of his own. As he moves in

with Elliott and his family, Jimmy teams up with his hapless cousin to wreak a

new havoc in the unsuspecting town of Bunsel the likes of which the local folk

have never before seen - and may never want to see again...

Playful, witty, and disarmingly amusing, Big Bobby BOOM! And The

Marble Mayhem is a delightful read. Author Gregg Seeley’s charming novella

chronicling the omnipresent challenges of life as a pre-teen is sure to strike a

chord among both younger and older readers alike - the former because of how

easily they can relate to it and the latter because of the bittersweet memories it’s

sure to stir. Furthermore, the genuine, unique energy of each of his characters

adds to Bobby’s engaging appeal, sparking nostalgic vibes that reverberate long

after the final page has been turned.

Equally comical and heart-warming, Big Bobby BOOM! And The Marble

Mayhem is a welcome addition to the world of young adult fiction. A promising

debut from an exciting new literary talent.

 
Big Bobby Boom and The Marble Mayhem Enlarge PhotoBy Gregg Seeley (Moose Hide Books) Imagine Bunsel, a quiet uneventful town owned entirely by Big Bobby Boolacheck.Big Bobby senior, a large intimidating and ill mannered man thinks nothing of taking the drink right out of someone's hand if he's thirsty or ordering everyone off the roads so his 11-year-old and equally obnoxious son, Big Bobby Junior, can drive his Cadillac.Big Bobby Senior may own Bunsel Bakery, the meat shop, restaurant, the hotel, the mall and more but he is soon to find out he does not own the new county sheriff Mr. Blue.As the Blue family settles into Bunsel, it is clear that the Boolachecks run the entire town including the residents of all ages. Elliot Blue, the quiet undersized brainy kid has resigned himself to hiding out in the chess club or washroom but gets a small glimmer of hope as his cousin Jimmy "The slick", an adventurous prankster, arrives to live with his family.The town of Bunsel is in for some adventurous hi-jinx and rule changing as Bobby Junior meets his match in the infamous duo of brains and tricks who refuse to let the generational bullying go on any further.The Blue Boys Forever take on Big Bobby Boom Junior with hilarious pranks and lessons learned in this easy to read mix of humour, mischief and action geared for the 8-12-year-old reader.While the book takes a light-hearted tone, the message will still strike a chord amongst readers that can identify with the various forms of bullying portrayed by both Bobby senior and junior. As bullying continues to plague schoolyards and workplaces, this book shows how anyone can fall victim to intimidation, fear, and control at the hands of someone else, regardless of age.The book also cleverly illustrates how unacceptable behaviour is passed down within families, often allowing for unchecked behaviour to spread as the victims of bullying often respond by bullying others.Former Fredericton High School student Gregg Seeley has written a humorous junior novel about bullying with a focus on the strength of friendship and family.Seeley grew up in Rusagonis, is a Armed Forces veteran, an advocate for the anti-bullying movement and now lives with his family in Ontario.- reviewed by GLORIA NICKERSONFor The Daily Gleaner