"Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny" (Fine, 1994.)I recall reading this book in year five and feeling really grown up; it was and still is more of a mature take on children’s literature. I think it would suit upper key stage 2 readers as it has some tricky words but could encourage the use of a dictionary amongst less confident readers. Fine touches on the delicate issue of broken families and how children interpret new additions to their family in the form of step parents. Fine is able to make light what some may find a delicate subject writing in a humorous yet compassionate way and in doing so provides the reader with a giggle. Goggle-eyes is constructed to be read from the main character Kitty’s perspective. Kitty hates her mum's new boyfriend. The way in which Kitty described her first encounter with her mums’ new boyfriend was excellent “my mum busy upstairs turning herself into some simpering Barbie-doll for the sort of man she’d usually take a ten mile hike to avoid, and I’m stuck downstairs with the political Neanderthal”. Kitty isn’t happy with the whole set up and surprise surprise goes out of her way to be cheeky, she even came up with the wonderful nickname ‘goggle eyes’ for her mums’ new boyfriend. Fine ends with a great little twist which I didn’t see coming.This would be a perfect book to give to a pupil who may be experiencing the same sort of thing as ‘Kitty’ at home; it could help a child to see the result of a new addition to the family more positively.
Considering 'Goggle-Eyes' is a children's book, I found it to be a lot more adult than I was expecting. The main character/narrator, Kitty, has a very reflective attitude which I'm not sure many children of that age actually have, and her views on environmentalism etc seemed really mature and developed. Speaking of environmentalism, I actually learned quite a lot about the CND from this book. One thing I particularly liked was the fact that Gerald isn't portrayed as the stereotypical 'evil' stepdad, as is so often the case in children's fiction. He is shown as a complex, well-rounded character, which is backed up by Kitty's changing attitude towards him throughout the story.
What do You think about Goggle-Eyes (2001)?
Goggle-eyes is about a girl called Kitty, whose mother and father have divorced. Her mother then meets Gerald who Kitty takes an absolute dislike to and nicknames him 'Goggle-Eyes'. She makes every effort to ruin the relationship between him and her mother. However towards the end of the story Kitty acknowledges that Gerald 'Goggle-eyes is a nice person and realises that she actually misses him when he's not around.Goggle-eyes is written in informal english with an element of humour, so children will be able to feel part of the story and relate to. I would recommend for Y6 upwards, possibly advanced readers in Y5 too.
—Sara Darr
-levelPenguin Readers 3-Time90min-7wordsgirl/hate/man/nuclear/protest/court /happy-Question1) The main character was against nuclear power, what do you think about it?- I am also against it because it is too expensive. The government have to spend money on other things.2) A mother changed her boyfriend many times, and her daughter didn't like it. If you were the girl, how do you feel?- I want my mother to be happy, but probably I also feel bad.This book made me think about my family and nuclear power!
—Misaki Arafuka
