The Turners

Leo Lennox has an epic problem: it's his thirteenth birthday and he has just grown a tail.

You'd think that growing a tail in the middle of the school library would be the worst thing that could happen to you, but Leo is about to discover that things can always get worse - and a whole lot weirder. Now, as he discovers an unthinkable family secret, Leo must team up with his infuriating older sister to escape snake-skinned henchmen, ancient shape-shifters and a whispering villain determined to feed him to a pack of genetically engineered killer pigs - all while trying to control his new shape-shifting powers.

The first instalment of a trilogy from the funniest new Australian kids' author in years.

“You know those chapter books that you pick up for just a minute, intending a quick skim? Ha! I defy anyone with a sense of humour to put this book down. From the beginning where I actually thought I felt my own reptilian tail growing, to my hysteria as the hero-tuurned-komodo tried to assuage his hunger on his classmates and perhaps the school librarian, through to increasing plot twists and gags involving an attack of Vipermen, surfing on sharks, and more shapeshifting and hair-raising adventures than you could ever believe would fit between two book covers, I was riveted by The Turners and I know kids will be too. - The Book ChookThe author's knowledge of what tweens find funny and interesting clearly shines through in this book. The dialogue flows easily and the plot develops at a rolling pace...Recommended - Magpies magazineEntertaining reading for 11-14 year olds. - Janet Croft Book Reviewsa rollicking ride into a fantastic world of weirdness - Read PlusThe first book in a series, this will be enjoyed by a wide variety of readers. The plot and dialogue are strong and well worked, the story original and funny. The topic enables many avenues for humour and Mick Elliott takes advantage of these in an effective manner. The banter between the siblings is very funny. Elliot has cleverly written of a topic that will appeal to a young audience, while at the same time sustaining an independent reader's attention. This book will make a brilliant read aloud. Highly recommended. - Reading TimeI thought this book was really exciting because there were always shape-shifters and different surprises just around the corner.Mick Elliott has a great imagination and I would like to read more of his books.This is the first in a new series,I recommend this books for kids aged 8-11. - The Daily TelegraphFor too long, there has been a hole in the children's book market - where are the novels about genetically modified hamsters? About villains who are half man, half snake? A how-to on handling the awkwardness that comes with shape shifting in the middle of your school library? Never fear, because Mick Elliott and The Turners are here...This is a fantastic series for hesitant readers. It can be challenging to keep kids, especially boys, engrossed in alonger book but the fast paced Turners breezes past that test. It's funny, in a way that will make adults smile too,and smart...The plot of The Turners moves very quickly but is easy to follow, with a great balance of suspense and humour.The text is a good size, and at 250 pages will engross your enthusiastic reader for a decent amount of time.Depending on the reading level, these books will be great fun for mid to late primary schoolers all the way up to”

You know those chapter books that you pick up for just a minute, intending a quick skim? Ha! I defy anyone with a sense of humour to put this book down. From the beginning where I actually thought I felt my own reptilian tail growing, to my hysteria as the hero-tuurned-komodo tried to assuage his hunger on his classmates and perhaps the school librarian, through to increasing plot twists and gags involving an attack of Vipermen, surfing on sharks, and more shapeshifting and hair-raising adventures than you could ever believe would fit between two book covers, I was riveted by The Turners and I know kids will be too. - The Book Chook

The author's knowledge of what tweens find funny and interesting clearly shines through in this book. The dialogue flows easily and the plot develops at a rolling pace...Recommended - Magpies magazine

Entertaining reading for 11-14 year olds. - Janet Croft Book Reviews

a rollicking ride into a fantastic world of weirdness - Read Plus

The first book in a series, this will be enjoyed by a wide variety of readers. The plot and dialogue are strong and well worked, the story original and funny. The topic enables many avenues for humour and Mick Elliott takes advantage of these in an effective manner. The banter between the siblings is very funny. Elliot has cleverly written of a topic that will appeal to a young audience, while at the same time sustaining an independent reader's attention. This book will make a brilliant read aloud. Highly recommended. - Reading Time

I thought this book was really exciting because there were always shape-shifters and different surprises just around the corner.

Mick Elliott has a great imagination and I would like to read more of his books.

This is the first in a new series,

I recommend this books for kids aged 8-11. - The Daily Telegraph

For too long, there has been a hole in the children's book market - where are the novels about genetically modified hamsters? About villains who are half man, half snake? A how-to on handling the awkwardness that comes with shape shifting in the middle of your school library? Never fear, because Mick Elliott and The Turners are here...

This is a fantastic series for hesitant readers. It can be challenging to keep kids, especially boys, engrossed in a

longer book but the fast paced Turners breezes past that test. It's funny, in a way that will make adults smile too,

and smart...

The plot of The Turners moves very quickly but is easy to follow, with a great balance of suspense and humour.

The text is a good size, and at 250 pages will engross your enthusiastic reader for a decent amount of time.

Depending on the reading level, these books will be great fun for mid to late primary schoolers all the way up to

Mick Elliott is an author, illustrator, children's television producer, scriptwriter and animator. He has overseen award-winning series for kids of all ages. His credits as producer include CAMP ORANGE, PLAY ALONG WITH OLLIE, SLIMEFEST and hundreds of advertising campaigns. His work has won more than twenty international awards, while his animated short films have screened at over sixty festivals worldwide. Mick was a 2019 Australian Reading Hour ambassador. Mick lives in Sydney with his wife, two kids and a garden full of lizards.

Leo Lennox has an epic problem: it's his thirteenth birthday and he has just grown a tail.You'd think that growing a tail in the middle of the school library would be the worst thing that could happen to you, but Leo is about to discover that things can always get worse - and a whole lot weirder. Now, as he discovers an unthinkable family secret, Leo must team up with his infuriating older sister to escape snake-skinned henchmen, ancient shape-shifters and a whispering villain determined to feed him to a pack of genetically engineered killer pigs - all while trying to control his new shape-shifting powers.The first instalment of a trilogy from the funniest new Australian kids' author in years.

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