The Fib

You may know these then stories from BBC Schools or two Longman Knockouts. Several repeat a pattern --- boy needs something (e. g. a balaclava, fireworks, new football kit) to keep in with the lads, Mum says no, trouble ensures --- but they read aloud well. They're mainly amusing, though there's a melancholy last outing with Grandad before he dies. Seven form a block --- primary/early secondary schooldays (with the join difficult to spot). The rest, adolescence, are slightly different in mood and more noticeably dated. Northern setting, late forties to mid fifties. Standard equipment for teachers; if possible, borrow a Longman type of Layton reading his work.