The Astounding Broccoli Boy: A Hilarious Middle Grade Superhero Novel About Turning Green for Children (Ages 8-12)

From Frank Cottrell Boyce—the beloved, award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Millions and Cosmic—comes a hilarious, heartbreaking, and completely original middle grade novel about a young boy who turns...green.

Rory Rooney likes to be prepared for anything. That sort of planning pays off when you’re the smallest kid in your class. Rory is even prepared (mostly) for Tommy-Lee, his nemesis, who starts most days by throwing Rory out of the back of the school bus. Don’t be scared, his favorite book says, be prepared. And Rory aims to be. What’s more heroic than that?

But Rory isn’t prepared when he suddenly and inexplicably turns green and finds himself stuck in an experimental hospital ward. The doctors are just as baffled as Rory is, and that’s when he begins to wonder: What if this isn’t caused by his genes, or a virus, or something he ate? What if it’s something even more extraordinary? After all, more than a few superheroes’ careers began when they turned green. Could this be a sign that he’s meant for something greater? Rory is going to find out—and that’s going to start with escaping from the hospital. 

• Enemies to Friends: He’s stuck in isolation with Tommy-Lee, the biggest bully in school. But when you’re both bright green, your worst enemy might just become your only friend.
• Superhero Adventure: Rory’s convinced his new broccoli color comes with superpowers. Proving it is going to involve a hospital escape, a trip to the zoo, and maybe—flying?
• Laugh-Out-Loud Funny: Packed with witty dialogue and absurd situations, this is a story that balances hilarious escapades with truly heartfelt moments.
• A Touching Mystery: Why did Rory and Tommy-Lee turn green? And are they the only ones? Finding the answer is a mission that will test their courage—and their newfound partnership.

Frank Cottrell Boyce is the author of Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Cosmic, Framed, and Millions, the last of which was a New York Times bestseller and was made into a movie by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. His books have won or been nominated for numerous awards, including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. Frank is also a screenwriter, having penned the scripts for a number of feature films as well as the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. He lives in Liverpool with his family.