Not Like Georgie

Scott Hatcher (text)
Heather Potter & Mark Jackson (illustration)

Walker Books, Australia: 2008

ISBN: 9781921150364

Genres: picture book, realistic fiction, Australian

Issues: friendship, bullying

A child is holding a birthday party and many of his friends have given rather unbelievable excuses for not attending.

‘Megan... is competing in the regional hopscotch finals.' But that's okay, because his best friend, Georgie, is coming and Georgie can do anything, including make him laugh.

This is a clever piece of writing. Although the nameless child is apparently cheerful and sanguine about the non-attendance of his peers, older readers - and adults - will be aware of the subtle subtext about the small, cruel ways in which children can isolate an unpopular child.

Definitely a discussion starter.