A Seven Letter Word by Kim Slater

Book of the Week: 3 April 2016

This is Kim Slater’s second book and it has several things in common with her first book, Smart. There is a likeable central character with a special talents, difficulties for him to deal with at school and at home and a mystery to solve. Fans will be pleased to know that A Seven Letter Word is every bit as entertaining and touching as Smart was.

Finlay is putting all his energy into Scrabble, not just because the School Librarian is a Scrabble fiend who wants him to enter a competition, but because it helps him escape the misery of being bullied at school. Since Finlay’s mum left home without telling him and his dad where she went, Finlay has developed a severe stutter. This attracts school bullies like iron filings to a magnet, as well as limiting Finlay’s ability to communicate. His dad has been plunged into gloom since the departure of his mum, so is unable to provide much support at home. Only Scrabble and Neville his hamster are much of a comfort. When he encounters someone new in his online Scrabble community, he thinks he may have found a friend who can help him solve the mystery of what happened to his mum. But is Alex the person Finlay believes him to be?

If you have never played Scrabble before, this book might encourage you to give it a go or, at the very least, will introduce you to some fascinating new words. Recommended for readers who enjoyed Smart, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, Joe All Alone by Joanna Nadin or Bubble Wrap Boy by Phil Earle.