Millions

Product Information

Set in England just before British adoption of the euro (a fictional event) the story features two boys who must decide what to do with a windfall in expiring currency. And he has plenty of ideas what to do with this money, all of which end up not at all what he intended.

Anthony and Damian Cunningham are two English school boys and together with their combined knowledge of saints and money they must overcome many obstacles. As the boys start spreading the wealth around their school and town, they inadvertently change the economy of the schoolyard. Steven lives with his partner Jay and his dog in Crouch End where he dunks endless amounts of biscuits in big red spotty cups of tea whilst listening to Radio 2.As a child I would have read and enjoyed this several times, for the simple adventure once, and then a reread for figuring out the mysteries and puzzles and the how-to of economics, and then a nostalgic reread would have given me a chance to appreciate Damian's obsession and visions. This book reads like a mad cap comic adventure/mystery/coming of age tale but is also a study in childhood grief and as is usual for this author the father son relationship is central to the plot . Then the next day when they come home from school they realize that crooks stole the rest of the money that was in the bag! Frank's second novel, Framed, was published in September 2005 and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Whitbread Award and the Guardian Prize. I disliked this part of the book because the boys were acting juvenile and I think that they were too concerned with their hatred for anyone that threatens their mom’s place that they didn’t realize what a nice person Dorothy was.

I thought the book was overall mediocre but there were aspects that I did like and I could see why people would like the novel but personally I didn’t. Cottrell Boyce won the annual Carnegie Medal from the British librarians, recognising the year's best children's book published in the UK.I think that if the book included more action and events occurring then it could be better but the book didn’t take any big unexpected turns and didn’t include anything adventurous or out of the ordinary which is what I didn’t like. Even though the novel is written in Damian's perspective, it seems like their is still this barrier between the emotions and what is actually happening. Frank's first book, Millions, won the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2004 and has been shortlisted for a number of awards, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Award 2004. An edge of my seat read that would be enjoyed by upper elementary and middle school kids, if ever I could get it past the censors. As an adult, I think I want to reread it so I can appreciate the simple adventure, because upon this (first ever) read I was wrapped up in Damian and in his r'ship with his father and brother and couldn't quite fully just enjoy the book, as it was so poignant.

I think this was meant to be a feel-good family drama about the effects of money on individuals and society, but is just felt negative and wrong--I never felt that the taking of the money was right or justified in any way and to have every character attempt to justify it and take and spend it without any consequences was just something I couldn't get past.He builds himself a little hermitage out of cardboard boxes down at the railway line, \"the whole pint being to live a simpler life.