Showing results by narrator "Andrew Daddo" in All Categories

1750, when times were tough and teeth were rotten. As part of an ancient family tradition, young Atticus Van Tasticus narrowly avoids a life down the coal mines - or worse, going to school - when he gets to choose the gift of a pirate ship from his Grandnan's treasure pile. It's a choice that will change the course of history - well, okay, his story, at least. Atticus pulls together a ragtag bunch misfits - ahem - a tough, brilliant crew and sets out to wreak havoc - I mean, live a piratin' life.

In 1991 Andrew Daddo was sacked as an MTV presenter. Rather than slink back to Australia immediately, Andrew and a guy he'd met at a party named Ray O'Neal set off on a month-long motorcycle journey across America. That summer spent riding cross-country with Ray forged a friendship that Andrew thought would last a lifetime. But in February 2004, Ray died in an accident. He left behind a wife and a young daughter, Rose.

Dylan is struggling. He's struggling with the acne that has declared war on his face, struggling with his pushy younger sister, with his nagging mum and his dad, who never has time for him anymore; struggling with his old phone-me-down; and struggling with his constant preoccupation with girls and what might happen if he manages to snag one. Struggling, but surviving. But when Dylan's creative-writing piece is read out in class, it sets off a chain of events that sends him on a frantic roller coaster of emotions.

Hilariously funny yet painfully poignant, this is a powerful and insightful story from a well-loved Australian writer. Dylan is struggling. He’s struggling with the acne that has declared war on his face, struggling with his pushy younger sister, with his nagging mum and his dad who never has time for him anymore, struggling with his old phone-me-down and struggling with his constant preoccupation with girls, and what might happen if he manages to snag one?