don't call me ishmael!

“There’s no easy way to put this, so I’ll say it straight out. It’s time I faced up to the truth. I’m fourteen years old and I have Ishmael Leseur’s Syndrome. There is no cure.”

And there is no cure for not fitting in. But that won’t stop Ishmael and his intrepid band of misfits from taking on bullies, bugs, babes, the Beatles, debating and the great White whale in the toughest, the weirdest, the most embarrassingly awful … and the best year of their lives.

REVIEWS:

Somehow my brain refuses to produce the appropriate superlative for this book. “Absolutely hilarious” is altogether too feeble (CBCA SA Branch Newsletter)

Highly recommended for anyone who has been in, or is approaching, Grade 9. (Magpies) 

This second novel by the 2005 CBC award winner should come with a health warning: To save embarrassment don’t read this book on the bus. A wonderful book about friendship and being 14 and falling for (and on) girls, with characters that burst off the page and dialogue to die for. (The Advertiser)

This is an incredibly well structured and intelligent book by the author of The Running Man. The language is clever, cheeky and humorous. The characters are original and convincing and the tone is light-hearted throughout. The story has strong themes; coping with bullying is an important issue for today’s youth and is addressed with reality and truth. (Goodreading – 5 Star review) 

Don’t Call Me Ishmael! is hugely entertaining, delightfully funny and enormously insightful …Not to be missed by readers aged 11 and up. (Sunday Tasmanian) 

(A) delightful account of a boy’s journey through year nine. This is a humorous book that will have readers laughing out loud. Teen readers will love Ishmael and his friends and this book is sure to win accolades. (YA Review)

There are laughs and lots of them. I suspect the author will reach an even wider audience with this charming, breezy novel. The Michael Bauer Syndrome continues to have appealing side effects (Viewpoint) 

One could roar laughing at the comic accidents and the hilarious reactions to the several crises which occur. (An) excellent school story told close-to-life with warmth and hearty humour. Highly recommended to any reader, particularly to those reluctant readers. (Reading Time) 

Bauer wonderfully captures the enclosed and all-important world that school represents for most 14 year olds. It’s an engrossing read – a good recommendation for boys in particular – with plenty of themes for discussion. (Bookseller & Publisher) 

This novel had some of the funniest scenes I have read in ages, while still dealing with serious issues. (Abbey’s Books)

 This book is perfect for 11 to 13-year-old boys and girls and is a motivating and hilarious read. (Newcastle Herald)

Wildly different: comic and colourful. (Weekend Australian) 

This … is teenage angst but written with a flair and vigour of language which is invigorating and very, very funny. There is a vibrancy about this book and a love for words, both spoken and written which is infectious. (Austral Ed Book News)

Truthful, life-affirming and devastatingly funny. Don’t Call Me Ishmael is a triumphant coming-of-age novel. (Booktrust.org.uk)

See German video review by BiBukimi here.

EDITIONS:

      

Original Aust Edition                  Updated Aust Edition                        Italian Edition

    

German Edition                                   USA Edition                        Czechoslovakian Edition

    

French Edition  (2011)                   UK Edition (2012)              Italian School Edition

Coming publications: Hebrew edition

AWARDS AND SHORTLISTINGS:

• Children’s Book Council of Australia: Book of the Year Older Readers: Shortlisted (2007)
• Children’s Book Council of Australia: Junior Judges Award: Winner (2007)
• Children’s Peace Literature Award: Winner (2007)
• NSW Premier’s Literary Awards: Shortlisted (2007)
• South Australian Festival Awards for Children’s Literature: Winner (2008)
• Finalist in the Premio Cento di Letteratura per Ragazzi (Centro Award for Children’s Literature) middle school category (2010)
• Honour Book Michigan Thumbs Up! Award (2008)

TEACHERS NOTES: Scholastic Australia