Alex Sparrow and the Really Big Stink

Alex Sparrow likens himself to a superhero. He deflects the blows of  tormentors deftly, he considers. He steps stealthily, barely casting a shadow. Readers are quick to realise that Alex is rather deluded. His goldfish has more sense…

When Alex responds to an internet popup from a Professor inviting him to purchase a lie detector, everything changes. The fizz bang in his ear initiates a superpower that enables Alex to decipher lies. There’s an unfortunate side effect however in that Alex becomes ‘Alex Sparrow and the Really Big Stink‘. Can you imagine how intolerable that might be in a crowded school playground? Alex is overwhelmed! Why has he been singled out?

When Alex discovers another at his school who has been targeted by the Professor, the new, oddly formed pair are perplexed at their choosing and their mission. Before long they realise that it may have something to do with the grotesque Miss Smillie of the ‘smares’ (glaring smiles). She’s a leading proponent of a new programme at school called PALS. However, something peculiar happens to the children who become involved with PALS. What is going on? Surely unearthing the truth can’t be the responsibility of two bickering Year 6 children, a goldfish and a pigeon? It seems that way!

‘Alex Sparrow and the Really Big Stink‘ is a truly original, captivating, funny and very school-scented (sorry Alex) story that absorbed this reader hugely. Now onto its sequel… ‘Alex Sparrow and the Furry Fury’!