Customer Reviews

Itch

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a children's book I got this for my young grandson to read when he visits but the synopsis on the cover sounded quite good so I read it first and it was a really good read.

The basic premise is that a young schoolboy, Itch (short for Itchingham), is a collector of items that correspond to the elements of the period table. He comes across a completely new element and aided by his sister Chloe and cousin Jack (Jacqueline) try to fend off different groups of people trying to capitalise on Itch's `find'.

It is refreshing to read a book with no sex, swearing and gratuitous violence and Simon Mayo has done just that while keeping the story quite exciting and not in any way condescending to his younger readers. That is not to say this book is all sweetness as there are some terrible consequences written into the story line.

The touching relationship between Itch, Chloe and Jack, the school bullies (mild) and the pupil's natural instinct for good and bad all went into the pot to make this a well rounded story.

It is quite conceivable imagine this plot in a James Bond type scenario. Just add gorgeous girls/chases and fight scenes, Oddjob and Spectre.

I think parents can buy this book for their children with no qualms about it being unsuitable in any way. Roll on Simon Mayo's next book.

Itch finds the rock that no one else could and the amount of trouble it brings ...... More than enough to fill any teenage boy (or one over 10). Not going to tell how or that would spoil the book, but he does get into a heap of trouble and possible danger .... Chemistry.

Had a quick look through it myself and was somewhat impressed with what Simon Mayo has come up with, a book that would appeal to most over the age of 10.

Itch the main character is fourteen and is not your typical teenager, bored with computer games and the usual things teenagers do. Yes, he is a geek, but one that finds a rock compound that hasn't been found before. Lots of chemistry make ups, some of which I didn't understand but our youngest got.

He found it to be an entertaining read, but did keep asking who was 'Simon Mayo'. Yes, us adults know him but not as being an author of a book like "Itch".

Just look out for the main villain in it, one to be reckoned with according to our son,

A nice thick book to keep your child amused, it worked in our house, early nights just for the reading of "Itch".

As Mayo's Wikipedia page says, "think Alex Rider with Geek Power!"

Itch is a harmless, accident prone and refreshing hero for a book that seems squarely aimed at younger teenage boys. Think Flint Lockwood from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs [DVD] [2010] and you'll be about there, but exchange gadgetry for a collection of elements.

In a world of zombie plagues and opressing violent fiction, Itch is a refreshing read that you should have no hesitation in buying for your youngster to read. Not too complicated, a good length, and well written enough that I would expect to see more in this vein from Mayo in the future.

This is great. A book for young people about a 14 year old lad, his 14 year old (female, but that's not relevant) cousin and his 11 year old sister. BUT.

There are no vampires (or werewolves)
There is no soppy love story sub plot
No teenage angst
No parents getting divorced
No one swears just because they can.

Just a huge implausible plot that has been crafted around good decent people.

The science is a bit dodgy. Element 126 sounds 'interesting' but the plot which is essentially a giant chase scene across the south of England is well devised.

I really feel this is like the Enid Blyton for today. Good morals, enthusiasm quick to read, but with modern values.

I'm looking forward to the inevitable sequel.

Lots of action and adventure hence a book to get boys reading or perhaps keep reading. I would suggest this book would be enjoyed by boys aged between 9 - 14 depending on the reading level of the child. The story flows well with enough description to set the scene but not so much to lose the childs attention.

This was a a bit of a surprise - not the expected foray into music or media from a well known DJ on a top national station but something very different.
Itchingham Lofte is a very unexpected hero, (or perhaps unexpected heroes are now the norm, post - Harry P. ), a quiet teenager, unsporty and bullied. Itch's not especially academically gifted but he has an absolute passion for science and particularly the periodic table of the elements.

Simon Mayo's deep love of Cornwall and deep knowledge of it makes the book realistic and enjoyable, dealing as it does with the highly improbable discovery of a new element. I loved the fact that one of the lead characters is called Cousin Jack, 'Cousin Jack' being the nickname for emigre Cornishmen.
Music does sneak in an appearance via Jack; 'Cousin Jack' is the title of a brilliant song by the band Show of Hands and one of the characters is described as wearing a Show of Hands T-Shirt. (Nice one.)

After some very realistic scene setting involving Itch's school, the tale really takes off and becomes a proper thriller - fast paced and page turning with nasty villains and tight, scary situations. It won't give nightmares, but realistically people aren't left unmarked by what happens to them. Radioactive materials are nasty and the book makes this very clear.

This book would be a great choice for any child who also finds it difficult to fit in through not sharing the enthusiasms that so many share in the playground.
The end is left open enough for a sequel whilst still being self contained; if this is the first of a series, I would love to read what happened next.

Brilliant book with a fantastic plot. I got this book as I wanted something from the Children's section, something enjoyable and light-hearted. This book did not disappoint. Although it has a serious storyline it is brilliantly written and immerses the reading in the beautiful countryside of Cornwall, together with the obligatory villains and a little science thrown in too! A fantastic and relaxing read for an adult and I can see how it would appeal to a teenager perhaps too! Maybe I am a big kid at heart!

I bought this at my daughter's request after the author had visited her school. She absolutely loved it and had it glued to her side until she had finished it.

I enjoyed reading this story right from the beginning as my imagination was captured by the thought of how a young boy discovers a new element on the Periodic Table and what would happen next. The writing style of Simon Mayo made the story easy to read and spot on in terms of vocabulary for young readers.

The characters are great and the choice of name is one which just jumps out at you, Itch, short for Itchingham, is an inspired choice. Itch is a 14 year old science mad boy who is always experimenting in his room and he has already started collecting elements of the Periodic Table. He has an 11 year old sister and a best friend, his cousin Chloe. Together they will find themselves in unexpected and dangerous situations, and all because of a rock, a very powerful rock.

To me there really was only one negative and that was the drawn out ending which seemed to take too long to reach a defining moment. That said, this was an entertaining read of just over 400 pages in a good large font. I am looking forward to more stories.

This is a fast paced and exciting thriller style book firmly aimed at teen boys. I say this, because unlike some I have read, I would say that it is not a strong cross-over read. That really isn't a bad thing - this would be one of my top recommendations for reluctant readers as is moves quickly, has quick and snappy chapters, and is manly. Really. If your son can't be bothered to read, or is struggling to read, this book may just be your secret weapon!