Boom! (novel) facts for kids

Boom! is an exciting science fiction novel for children. It was written by Mark Haddon and first published in 2008. This book is a new version of Haddon's earlier novel, Gridzbi Spudvetch!, which came out in 1990.

What is Boom! About?

Boom! tells the story of two best friends, Charlie and Jimbo. Jimbo's sister, Becky, tells him that his teachers want to send him to a special school. Jimbo and Charlie decide to investigate this strange claim.

The Secret Investigation

To find out the truth, Jimbo and Charlie sneak into the staff room. They hide a walkie-talkie there to listen to the teachers. Most of what they hear is just confusing. But then, they discover something very surprising. Their teachers, Mr. Kidd and Mrs. Pearce, are speaking a secret, unknown language!

Mysterious Encounters

The boys start their own dangerous investigation. They even sneak into Mrs. Pearce's attic to find clues. Soon, a mysterious man in a suit approaches them at a restaurant. He warns them to stop investigating their teachers. To show he means business, he burns a hole right through their table with his finger!

A Journey to Another Galaxy

Charlie and Jimbo ignore the man's warning. Because of this, Charlie is suddenly kidnapped! He is taken far away to the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy. There, he has to pretend to be happy all the time. If he doesn't, he could be in big trouble. Jimbo doesn't know where Charlie has gone.

Jimbo's Search for Charlie

Jimbo starts looking through their secret notebook, called "Spudvetch!". This notebook holds all their hidden information. He discovers that the best place to find Charlie is on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Jimbo convinces his sister, Becky, to come with him.

The Portal to Space

After a difficult journey, Jimbo and Becky arrive on the Isle of Skye. They find an old, abandoned shack. Inside, a mysterious portal suddenly opens! Jimbo is pulled through the portal and into the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy. Becky stays behind on Earth, unaware of what happened.

Trapped and Escaping

Jimbo finds Charlie in the distant galaxy. But then, the same man from the restaurant discovers them. He realizes Charlie was only pretending to be happy. The man captures both boys and puts them in prison.

A Dangerous Mission

After a few days, the man releases Charlie and Jimbo. But he forces them to do something terrible. They must bring back other escaped teachers, or they will face danger. The boys manage to escape this difficult situation.

Becky's Surprise

When they get back, they find out something amazing. Becky has been holding the teachers hostage! The mysterious man confronts Charlie and Jimbo again. But Becky steps in and stops him. Together, the three friends manage to defeat and destroy the man.

What Happened Next?

After all the excitement, Mr. Kidd and Mrs. Pearce were fired from the school. They were very angry about being kidnapped. They tried to get revenge on Charlie.

The FBI's Involvement

Luckily, the FBI already knew what was happening. They had been watching the teachers. The FBI agents stopped Mr. Kidd and Mrs. Pearce. They then warned Charlie and Jimbo. If the boys ever told anyone about what happened, they would be in danger. Charlie and Jimbo decided to keep the secret. They went back to living their normal lives.