The Blockbusters! - by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Writing

Year 6 goes to Hollywood!

Head to Tinseltown in this hilarious and heart-warming adventure by the UK Children's Laureate 2024-2026 and bestselling, award-winner Frank Cottrell-Boyce. The Blockbusters! is fabulously illustrated in black and white throughout by Steven Lenton.

When new boy Rafa and his friends accidentally stray onto the set of a Hollywood blockbuster, the last thing they expect is to become part of the action. Rafa's likeness to the famous movie star, BB, gives him VIP access all areas, including the banquet of catering doughnuts!

But Rafa isn't the only one having an adventure. His big brother, Cillian, is missing. He sent Rafa a clue to his location, but he can't really be in actual Hollywood, can he? It's up to Rafa to keep acting the part of a movie star, if he is to find his brother - and home.

Praise for Frank Cottrell-Boyce:

'Full of heart and emotion that might just bring a tear to your eye' - Tom Fletcher on Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth

'Full of jokes and touching moments' - The Sunday Times on Framed

'He has something of Roald Dahl's magic, but more heart' - Sunday Telegraph on Cosmic

'A funny, charming, life-affirming book' - Richard Osman on Runaway Robot

Review Quotes

"A writer of comic genius - he has something of Roald Dahl's magic, but more heart " --Sunday Telegraph

"The author's experience as a screenwriter brings added humour and authenticity to this thrill ride, which is full of warmth, wit and action - with a surprising final twist." --Daily Mail

"A gloriously funny, poignant caper about celebrity, Hollywood glamour, a lost home and a missing brother . . . pure joy." --Amanda Craig

"Frank Cottrell-Boyce's writing shines brighter than an LED and his latest middle grade novel, The Blockbusters!, is more entertaining than a multiplex full of Oscar winners! This author has a unique talent for combining jokes, wisdom, and human relationships with a warmth and kindness that bring a smile to your face, new ideas to your brain and a glow to your heart." --v'sViewFromtheBookshelves

"Frank Cottrell-Boyce is an absolute genius at creating larger-than-life tales which seem utterly plausible.. Bursting with humour and accompanied by lively black-and-white drawings, this is a compelling read." --BookTrust

"Featuring Lenton's brilliantly vibrant illustrations and with fascinating insights into the thrills and chaos of film-making, The Blockbusters! will keep readers gasping and giggling right through to the final scene." --Lancashire Evening Post

"Action-packed" --Daily Mail best children's books for holiday reading

"With the author's authentic insight and the addition of some great illustrations this book is
incredible, funny, glittering, full of adventure and heart." --Armadillo

"Frank Cottrell-Boyce's happy geniality invests everything he writes, and so it is
with The Blockbusters! which somehow combines the grim business of not having much money or a home with a fairy story in which an English class and their teacher go from a trip to Stratford to Hollywood and end up at the Oscars. It's fantastical, but rooted in a reality with which many children are familiar." --The Spectator

About the Author

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a multi award-winning children's book author, screenwriter and the Children's Laureate 2024-2026. Millions, his debut children's novel, won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal. His other books include Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, Runaway Robot, Noah's Gold and The Wonder Brothers. He has enjoyed a long-time collaboration with award-winning illustrator Steven Lenton. His books have been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Whitbread Children's Fiction Award, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. Frank is also a highly successful screenwriter. He has written for the hit TV series Dr Who and his script for Michael Morpurgo's Kensuke's Kingdom won a British Animation Award. Along with Danny Boyle, he devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. Frank has been the judge for the 500 Words competition and the BBC's One Show As You Write It competition. Frank is a lifelong champion of children's books. His podcast with co host Nadia Shireen, The Island of Brilliant!, celebrates writing and illustration for children of all ages. He lives in Merseyside with his family.

Steven Lenton is a multi-award-winning illustrator, originally from Cheshire, now working from his studios in Brighton and London with his dog, Big Eared Bob. He has illustrated many children's books including Head Kid and The Taylor Turbochaser by David Baddiel, The Hundred And One Dalmatians adapted by Peter Bently, the Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam series by Tracey Corderoy and the Sainsbury's Prize-winning The Nothing To See Here Hotel series written by Steven Butler. He has illustrated two World Book Day titles and regularly appears at literary festivals and live events across the UK. Steven has his own Draw-along YouTube channel, showing how to draw a range of his characters. He has also written his own picture book Princess Daisy and the Dragon and the Nincompoop Knights' and his young fiction series Genie and Teeny.