Dani Vee (text) and Jules Faber (illustrator), Riley’s FAILPROOF guide to breaking a school record, Larrikin House, September 2024, 208 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922804815
Riley Noodle wants to make her mark on her last year of school. Breaking a school record is her goal – but she’s been at it for so long now and has yet to succeed. What will it take for her to think up and execute an activity whereby she can actually break a school record and bask in the glory? Will creating the most immersive art experience work? Will attaching 600 balloons to herself be the answer? Riley’s antics lead to some hilarious circumstances that can only come from a person who is so desperate yet so very unbreakable in her focus.
This is not a challenging read by any means, but the story is so specific, sticking to the main narrative of reaching a single goal over a short period of time, so that the reader can effortlessly enjoy the comedy that comes with each of Riley’s attempts to break a record. The supporting characters – Riley’s friends, her dad, the principal – are just as amusing, and don’t take the limelight off Riley at all. Instead, they add to the comedy, to the cringe, until the reader can’t help but cheer Riley on in the hopes that all the trouble she experiences leads to her success.
An easy, entertaining read for ages 7-12, the reader will enjoy rallying for Riley and will laugh along with her as she fights for that record.
Review by Lauren Harcombe
