BOOK REVIEW: Artie and the Grime Wave by Richard Roxburgh

BOOK REVIEW: Artie and the Grime Wave by Richard Roxburgh

Allen & Unwin
October 2016
Paperback, $16.99
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar

Middle Grade

8 ½ /10

There’s more than a bit of Richard Roxburgh’s devilishly indulgent lawyer Cleaver Green from the TV show Rake in Artie & The Grime Wave – a book sure to be a hit with pre-teens.

Positively brimming with gross-out humour, Roxburgh’s novel has a good heart and more than a couple of positive messages to get the kids thinking, even whilst they are revelling in the madcap glory of Aunty Boy’s Fartex gun and more.

Artie isn’t a particularly happy soul: Mum has been in a depressed daze since his Dad got very ill and passed away a couple of years before, and try as he might, he just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

Mostly that trouble comes in the form of local bully and son of Mayor Grime, Nate. In double time Artie and his best mate Bumshoe discover a cave full of stolen goods, and fall foul of the attentions of arch baddies Funnel Web and face-tattooed Mary.

Based loosely on Roxburgh’s own adventures growing up, Artie & The Grime Wave is imaginative and fun, albeit gross in parts. Kids will undoubtedly love the book, and be excited that a second episode is being written as we speak.

Category: Book Reviews