The Gifted, The Talented and Me
Meet 15-year-old Sam and his family as they uproot from the familiar environs of their home in Stevenage to the bright lights of London, following a rise in the family’s fortunes.
This move affects all members of the family and we read how they all try and cope with it in different ways. It causes Sam, in particular, to question his ordinariness compared to his sister Freya’s and brother Ethan’s talents once they are enrolled in the School for Gifted and Talented Children or ‘school for weirdos’ as Sam puts it. We follow Sam’s journey of self-discovery as he tries to fit into his new life away from his former friends and all that was familiar to him in Stevenage, facing bullies and the challenges of making new friends in a new school.
Sutcliffe’s writing is sharp, witty and honest and he deals with Sam’s predicament in not only a thought-provoking way, but one that is full of humour and this is what makes this book very readable and enjoyable. Sam is a very likeable character and you find yourself rooting for him to succeed.
This coming of age story touches on family relationships, loneliness, and finding love and friendship as it deals with being true to yourself. It shares the important lesson that we all have the power to make choices that can have a positive effect on our lives. A pleasure to read.
