Colin lives with his brother, Luke and his parents in Australia. It's christmas and Colin gets some horrible brown school shoes, where as Luke gaets what he wanted, he also gets hurt and has to go to hospital. Colin has to stay with family over in England while his parents look after luke at the hospital.
Colin is a really good character. Firstly he is upset about not getting what he wanted for christmas. He is very upset about Luke having to go to hospital but copes with it really well. Having to stay with his auntie and uncle is pretty boring but finds loads of things to do.
Th language in the book is mostly things we can understand. Austrailians slang is often used. Jokes are used but most of them are serious things anden't things to laugh about.
My favourite bit is when Luke and Colin are playing cricket in the hospital. They had bed pans and lots of hospital equipment as wickets, balls and bats. I also like the fact that Colin is always thinkling as ideas to help his younger brother Luke.
I recommend this book for people at the age of 11-13 years. It was one of the best books I've read this year