Eoin Colfer: Benny & Omar

Irish author Eoin Colfer is best known in New Zealand for his hugely popular Artemis Fowl trilogy featuring a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who joins forces with the fairy police. However, long before Artemis was even a twinkle in Colfer's eye, he had created another engaging young hero by the name of Bernard Shaw (Benny for short).

First published in Ireland in 1998, Benny & Omar became an instant bestseller. It has since been translated into Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. However, Benny & Omar has not been readily available in New Zealand until now.

While fantasy and the supernatural prevail in the Artemis Fowl books, Benny & Omar is very much steeped in the real world. Twelve-year-old Benny is a typical schoolboy who constantly gets into trouble with teachers and his parents. Benny has one younger brother, George, but they are complete opposites in personality and interests. While George is into drama, Benny is passionate about the traditional Irish sport of hurling. For Benny, the only thing more important than actually playing the game is following the all-Ireland hurling championships and this year it looks like his home team, Wexford, may be in the running to win for the first time ever.

Hence Benny is not impressed when he comes home from school one day to discover that his family are moving. Not only is Benny going to have to leave Wexford, but he is going to leave Ireland. His father has been transferred to Tunisia for one year and Benny's life is about to change dramatically.

When Benny and his family arrive in the village of Sfax, the culture shock is immediate. Benny finds himself dealing with killer mosquitoes, sweltering heat, scorpions and no hurling fields around.

He and his brother are sent to an international school which is as different as you can get from Saint Jeromes of Wexford. There is not a Christian Brother around and the two American teachers not only look like hippies but insist that their pupils call them by their first names.

Instead of the strap, Benny has to contend with the group hug. While his younger brother quickly fits into the new school atmosphere, Benny spends much of his time alone.

Then one afternoon Benny meets Omar, a street urchin whose parents died in an accident. Omar has learned English through watching television which makes for some hilarious conversations between the two boys. While Omar has never heard of hurling before, he loves soccer and he persuades Benny to take part in some unusual soccer games played by street urchins in the dark.

The two boys become firm friends but their crazy escapades cause many problems in their small village, and Benny's parents forbid him to continue the friendship. However, when Omar comes to Benny with a heart-breaking dilemma, Benny feels he has no choice but to help his friend in need, whatever the cost.

While Benny & Omar is a funny, entertaining book, Colfer also explores the themes of family, friendship, cultural diversity and social responsibility. It is sure to appeal to young readers who have enjoyed Buddy and Juggling with Mandarins, both written by New Zealand Post Book Award's winner V.M. Jones.

Penguin $16.99

Age: 8-12 years

Recommended by: Dorothy Vinicombe