Representation: It's complicated...
Trigger warnings: Death of a grandfather, PTSD, Vietnam War, bullying
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.

First! Let me tell you my thoughts. This was an interesting novel that I've been wanting to read for a while and I can summarise this one in one word: Coming-of-age. I did enjoy this book, although it could've been improved here and there, by the way... The author wrote more books like My Life as An Alphabet and A Little Spark. They might be better than this one. They might not. Who knows?

Rob initially describes himself as a loser and I could feel bad for him since this is realistically what some teenagers with low self esteem feel like; he brought pride by being a goalkeeper which he pulls off. Rob wants to go further and he receives a mysterious message on his phone from someone persuading Rob to take on some challenges which he accepts. Rob spends time with his grandfather and he is a fascinating character who plays a major role in his life despite swearing, still he wants to help Rob to improve himself.

Rob completes three challenges, the first of which is to be on Milltown's Got Talent and he succeeded but then the story takes a quirky turn... The second challenge for Rob was to get on the newspaper which he did by protesting against animal cruelty after researching a vegan diet prompted by his grandfather. The third task is here alongside a big reveal and a plot twist, yes I'm not kidding. The messenger was a character called Agnes who knew Rob's grandfather before he died and that mission was to be yourself which was inspiring; the latter event happens in the end and man was that a shocker.

“Sometimes a person needs to keep things to himself. You don't tell me everything and that's fine. We all need to keep some stuff locked away. If we didn't, we could end up getting hurt.”

( )

I give this nearly 5 stars as I did not see the ending coming!! This is a book about Rob who falls in love with a girl and wants to impress her. A grandparent gives them the advice to try their hand at sports but Rob's problem is crippling anxiety and shyness. In an attempt to win over the girl, Rob becomes the goalie for the school's woeful soccer team. This doesn't seem to work, even though Rob turns out to be an exceptional goalie.....but the team still loses. The grandfather then suggests walking a lady from his nursing home's dog as said girl also walks her dog and they could accidentally (on purpose) run into each other! There is also the picketing of a local supermarket for using an abattoir which is exposed for cruel practices.
There is friendship and SPOILER ALERT death of grandparent, as well a mysterious text messages that Rob keeps getting. Who is sending them?

I recommended this to some Year 7s and one boy borrowed it. It will be interesting to see what he makes of the end! ( )