How Not To Be Weird

Description: Woody wants to get un-weird - and fast! And he'll find help in the most unlikely of places. Woody is forever worried about being different. He thinks himself weird and a bit of a wuss, and two bullies Della and Casey make sure he doesn't forget that. It doesn't help that his mum is slightly bonkers. She dresses up as a sheep for a living - mostly for her job as a children's entertainer. And not to mention the fact that she forces Woody to wear old granny jumpers that she finds down the local charity shop. Gooner the dog doesn't help either, always getting Woody in some awkward, smelly and rather messy situations! But Woody's got a plan to get unweird - and fast! Just in time for his first day at secondary school. He starts off with some rules . . . 'Don't listen to Mum about anything to do with your life, ever'. . .and. . .'don't wear old lady clothes'. And with the help of his way more normal, yet rather extravagant GlamMa and the discovery of his Dad's peculiar lucky charm, he soon finds a new sense of charm, un-weirdness and a heap load of shenanigans come his way!

Review: How Not to be Weird by Dawn McNiff presents Woody's rules for being different and how to change. However is change really for the better or is it best to be true to who you are? * Armadillo Magazine *
How Not To Be Weird is brilliantly funny (...) This is a thoroughly good read with some good advice hidden between the fun. I would recommend this book for readers in KS2 and 3 and I look forward to reading other books by the brilliant Dawn McNiff -- Elizabeth Baskeyfield * The School Librarian *
Author Biography: Dawn was born in a blue house by the sea in Sussex. She now lives in a brown house in Gloucestershire with her two teenage daughters and lots of furry pets. In 2008 she completed an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University, which was 100% fab. In the past, she has worked as a bereavement counsellor, a copywriter, a teaching assistant and a children's bookseller - but her best job has always been being a mummy. Dawn likes dancing to bad 80s songs, going for rainy walks, eating green soup, snoozing by her log-burner, and writing in cafes. (PS: Never challenge Dawn to a water fight cos you'll lose). Follow Dawn on Twitter: @DawnMcNiff