Author(s): Jack Lasenby

Young Adult Fiction

Reading age 8-12 years. Billy wakes up one morning to find a strange woman burning his porridge. The woman speaks without pause but says she's his real mum. Billy knows this isn't true. And when he finds a secret note from his real mother, he sets out to find her. There follows a madcap, mischievous story of how Billy manages to survive living with an imposter who feeds him nothing but burnt crumbs and half an empty eggshell. Billy befriends an amazing talking horse and together they gradually piece together a series of loopy clues that reveal how a whole village of mothers could possibly go missing. With some nutty, funny ideas about time, history and the grownups that kids have to put up with, Jack Lasenby gives us a bonkers plot that turns up clones, mad scientists and witches. This is a mystery and thriller built on batty logic. It's a book to be read and laughed aloud to all children. Even those who've never had to tuck their mums and dads into bed. With over 30 books published Jack Lasenby is considered to be one of our finest writers for children.