Xander and the Pen - by David Lawrence (Paperback)

About the Book

Xander, a boy who loves to draw superheroes, buys a pen from a mysterious market stall. He soon learns that the pen has a magical power. At first, the pen improves life for Xanders family and friends, but there are unintended consequences. As events spiral out of control, Xander has a new set of problems to solve, and a big decision to make.

Book Synopsis

Xander buys a pen that gives him the power to improve his familys fortunes, only to discover that power comes with its own problems.

Xander and the Pen is the story of a boy who loves to draw superheroes, and the pen he buys from a mysterious market stall. He soon learns that the pen has a magical power: whatever he draws, happens! At first the pen helps Xander improve his familys fortunes, but there are many unintended consequences and soon everybody is angry at him.

Xander sees that the power of the pen has changed him into somebody his sister and his friends despise. But how else to deal with the bullying Bruise Brothers and solve the mystery of the poisoned llamas? Can Xander win back the respect of his sister and friends without using the pen? Or will he succumb to the temptation of an easy fix?

Featuring hilarious illustrations, and with messages about bullying, family dynamics, disability and the environment, this is fast-paced, entertaining middle grade fiction that will resonate with kids everywhere. After all, who wouldnt want to fix all their problems with the stroke of a pen!

Review Quotes

"Xander
and the Pen's action-packed plot and humorous dialogue, combined with Cherie
Dignam's quirky, double spread, illustrations, will keep 9-13-year-olds turning
the page and reaching for other titles in Lawrence's The Pen series - Ruby and
the Pen and Finn and the Pen, due to be released in March 2025."
- StoryLinks