This means we get to know both of them individually; we know that Dan begins to feel guilty, but he doesn’t want to show Sophie and the Georges that. One thing we know about good books is their amazing ability to inspire empathy in the reader; to explore ideas and viewpoints that arise from experiences that are out of our own realm. Especially since Dan is one of the main bullies of Alex, having this pressure on them only added to the intrigue. A thoroughly enjoyable read for readers aged 9-13 who love to read exciting stories about real life issues. So I think reading, especially for middle-grade readers, is a great way for children to both get informed, but also forge their own opinions.

Dan is angry and has been ever since his brother left, and is taking it out on one person in particular, Alex. Social relationships, school, bullying, personal struggles, and all of the expectations from the adults that we have to meet are several things that take up a massive portion during that period of our lives. But their mums are friends and they force them to finish off building Dan’s raft together – neither of them relish this prospect to begin with, but as they work together, things begin to change.

You might think this is going to be a cut and dried story of the nice boy who's being bullied and the bad boy who's doing the bullying, but it isn't. There was something so special about this book, and while it was painful to read, everything Foster wrote worked so well. He struggles anyway because of his serious OCD condition, and has sworn to the bullies that he won’t tell anyone what they’re doing to him. I thought this would involve some sort of revelation on behalf of both characters and while there was a slight change in perception, it wasn't a POW! Alex’s Dad’s frustration with his son’s ailment is real, as is Dan’s mother’s desperation to support her son.

I’m not sure that in the early years a child could actually describe empathy, more that it comes out in their own behaviours and I’m pretty sure some of the great middle grade books are promoting this.The last thing he wants (and the last thing Alex wants) is for “that weird kid at school” to come and mess it up for him. I mean, I've always known that a bully often has their own problems in their life, but as a peer pressure as well, it's just something I've never thought of that much. Consequently, Dan’s aggression and annoyance is taken out on the vulnerable target in his year group: Alex. Nothing has been the same since his big brother left, and he’s taking it out on the nearest and weakest target: Alex. When Dan and Alex are pushed together by parents unaware of their relationship, we feel as tormented as the two boys.