Sally Gould’s new novel, Dead Certain is a hilarious new addition to Walker Books’ Lightning Strikes series and although it has a funeral setting there is plenty to laugh about.
Max’s Uncle Jack has died from a heart condition and Max is the only person who knows Jack’s last wish was to be buried next to his father, not cremated. It’s a race against time for Max to convince people this is what Jack really wanted.
Max is determined to help his uncle out one last time, even if that means he has to steal the body to stop the cremation from happening.
I have to admit that I didn’t expect to laugh so much over a story set at a funeral. But Max’s dilemma is so real and his antics are so desperate that they make for complete chaos that readers 9-13 will love.
Max is a great character with a strong voice and readers will easily engage with him and his predicament.
This fast-paced story will keep readers entertained. In a non confronting way, it also encourages discussion on what happens to you after you die, as well as issues of burial and cremation.
There’s also room for discussion about the generations and the dynamics of families and events that affect them.
HOW DEAD CERTAIN WAS CREATED
Author, Sally Gould says that the inspiration for this story came from the real life story of a relative who died.
He was a great bloke and loved by everyone who knew him. Earlier I’d arranged for Andy Griffiths to come and speak to my writing class. While I was at the funeral I thought, I wonder what Andy would do with this setting. The story idea followed. Max and Charlie are based on my sons. The oldest is logical and responsible like Charlie and the youngest is mischievous like Max.
Max is based on Sally’s youngest son when he was that age, so she says. “Of course I love everything about him.”
Particularly at that age he was determined that the world should be fair and the right thing should be done. What I like most about the character of Max is that I captured my son’s unique voice.
At the time I wrote this story, I’d take chapters to my writing class and the writers in my workshop group would be laughing themselves silly about Max’s antics and the things he’d think and say.
Sally says that the hardest part about writing the book was the editing process.
Max had many more crazy thoughts and lines, but of course my editor pared them down so the action wasn’t held up. Having to delete lines I loved was hard.
Teacher notes for Dead Certain are available from www.walkerbooks.com.au/teachers. There is also a dedicated Walker Books Lightning Strikes website coming soon.