Agassi and the Great Cycle Race is a brand-new book that I'm eager to introduce to my book club. I read it not very long ago, and it's such a rollicking read that I'm sure it will be fun! What's in a name? Agassi hates his name. In fact, he prefers to be called by his other name - Joel.As Agassi and the Great Cycle Race is the first book we will be reading, we will do several name-related activities. If your parents had named you after their favourite sportspeople, what would your name be? If they had combined their names to create one for you, what options would they have had? And finally, I'd love to know what the stories behind their names are. What led to the choosing of their names? But, then ... We've played "Fortunately, Unfortunately" at several editions of my book club. It's time to do something different! When we play … [Read more...]
Agassi and the Great Cycle Race
Agassi and the Great Cycle Race by Khyrunnisa A. and illustrated by Saumya Oberoi is another fun Silly Billy book! The cover image encapsulates the madness of the book perfectly: a parakeet sitting on an inverted saucepan worn by a boy riding a cycle!Agassi hates his name. Just because his parents are tennis fans, they didn't have to name him Agassi! He refuses to play tennis, and he much prefers to be called by his middle name, Joel.When he decides to take part in a cycle race, however, his quest for a cycle is a mixed blessing. A cycle loaned to him comes along with a parakeet that he must care for. But what should the parakeet be called but Steffi?With Joel, his neighbour Zeba, and the parakeet Steffi, we go hurtling on a hilarious adventure. Joel seems to attract accidents and drama, and the book takes us through a race, film-making, accidents, an antique cycle and a … [Read more...]