YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS

In his latest outing, young Cymbeline Igloo helps solve two mysteries involving immigrants in his English community and has a lifelong dream fulfilled.

Firstly, who is playing mean pranks on Mrs. Martin, who has been his favorite teacher since her arrival from Botswana—and why? Secondly, what has made Nanai, a Chinese Vietnamese refugee and the grandma of Cymbeline’s bestie, Veronique Chang, suddenly stop eating? And thirdly, why hasn’t Jacky Chapman, revered star footballer for Charlton, answered Cym’s written request for a ride in his helicopter? In getting to the answers, Baron plunges his curious and emotionally intense narrator, who presents White, into a whirl of daily experiences comical and otherwise—ranging from Cym’s amazing day in class with a pink-haired, tattooed science teacher and his mum’s ill-starred attempt to make a vegetarian dinner for her boyfriend to a tearful funeral (for a pet) and startling revelations at a tender family reunion. By the end, the mysteries are solved and resolved satisfactorily. Meanwhile, Cym gets his helicopter ride, writes a rubbish book report on War and Peace (given in full) but proves a dab hand at Scrabble, and expresses gratitude for living in a culturally diverse country; his warm relations with Veronique’s family include sobering glimpses of Nanai’s tragic and harrowing past. Select dramatic moments are marked typographically and by Davies’ vignettes of significant items.

Further misadventures of an endearing sleuth with his heart on his sleeve.