Too Small To Fail

A boy named Oliver is the only son to wealthy bankers. He barely has a relationship with his parents as they work long hours. Oliver relies on his nanny however it seems as though when Oliver has formed a strong bond the mother lets them go. Oliver believes it is because she becomes jealous that Oliver could become closer and be a better mother figure than her.

Gleitzman has written a a book about Oliver who is driven to make things right when his parents are unable/do not wish to. Olivers parents bank crashes due to a New York bank. The investments made by various investors are lost and they are unable to be returned. A particular investor who was one of many nanny's Oliver had threatens him that she will hurt a dog he truly adores. Oliver begins his adventure to collect a lump sum of money that would pay back to the investor. He begins at school, he begins slowly but by day three he has a bag full of money and become worried. By the end of the week he stops and returns the money, the boys he attends school are very unhappy that Oliver was unable to double their invested money.

Oliver tries to talk to his parents about returning money to this investor however they reply that if they return it to one they have to do it for everyone and would mean losing a lot of money. One early morning Oliver and his parents drive to their beach house. Oliver knew something was wrong because his father never drives and they were driving in the very early hours of the morning.

Oliver wants to prove a point and bring the money back to the investor so badly, but it became so much more now. Oliver jumped into a car and got out when he got back to the city to catch a bus. Oliver meets his ex nanny and her daughter. They go on a journey, Oliver sends his parents a message but has no reply. He becomes scared especially as they have just been in a car crash. As the camel takes them up and over the desert he sees his parents. His parents are happy to see Oliver and though many conversations back forth the investor receives her money that will help them live and save their camels.

Morris has written this book with a great story line. It does not have boring any boring parts. Gleitzman has been clever and tells the story in third person. Gleitzman has also integrated a complex problem that Oliver strives to solve. The book has been told through the eyes and heart of the character Oliver, he is privileged throughout the book. Throughout reading the book I was always interested and very keen to read the following pages. This book could be used with a variety of year levels at school in particularly years. This book would be ideal for a reading program depending on the students capabilities and ability to not only ready but understand the development of the book.