Sam and the Griswalds — Emma Barnes

Sam Harris's life changes forever when the Griswald family move in next door. From Spider with his climbing skills, to karate expert Jake and animal lover Elfrida, the trouble-prone Griswalds soon liven up the sleepy town of Bellstone. They help Sam to pursue his football dreams and find the dog he's always wanted. But then the Griwalds' feud with the beastly Bullock family hurtles out of control...

Middle grade fiction for adventure-loving readers, both boys and girls, from ages 9-12. Readers who enjoy quirky humour and larger than life characters, comic escapades and disastrous soccer matches, will love reading about Sam and his new neighbours, the Griswalds. Recommended for fans of David Walliams or Roald Dahl, or more old-fashioned favourites like Just William, Anthony Buckeridge's Jennings or Helen Cresswell's The Bagthorpe Saga, will enjoy reading the hilarious escapades of the eccentric Griswald family and their friend Sam. A longer chapter book, with a sophisticated vocabulary, for advanced readers.