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Book details
Liz Pichon - Author
Tom Gates’s class is going on an Activity Break, and he hopes to avoid being grouped with Marcus Meldrew. At home, Delia is threatening to paint his room funny colours, while Tom hopes his parents’ talk of a new pet will lead to a welcome surprise. The book is presented as a humorous diary with doodles and pictures.
Book Analysis
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Tom worries that he may be put in a group with Marcus during the class Activity Break; the nature and outcome of their relationship are not established.
Tom worries that he may be put in a group with Marcus during the class Activity Break; the nature and outcome of their relationship are not established.
Delia threatens to paint Tom’s room funny colours while he is away; how this is resolved is unclear.
The premise leaves the outcomes of Tom’s hopes about the Activity Break and a possible pet open.
Expectations and surprises
The premise leaves the outcomes of Tom’s hopes about the Activity Break and a possible pet open.
Sharing space and company
Tom’s concerns about his Activity Break group and Delia’s threat to change his room are part of the setup; their outcomes are unclear.
Try a few pages together and see what prompts interest or discussion.
What we know and what is still uncertain.
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A missing detail means we do not know, not that the book contains none of it.
Analysis updated: 30 September 2026
These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.