Books with author Sue Townsend

Crazy Boy the Hero shows a child’s everyday life is magic enough to make great stories Crazy Boy the Hero by Steve Townsend, is the first in a series of books about a young boy's adventures set in the lakeside town of Kibuye in Rwanda, Africa. Agasazi (the Crazy Boy) is asked by his mother to fetch some water. On his way he gets distracted by his friends, eventually leading him to be a hero. Sketch illustrations throughout the book help show the readers not only events in the story, but also some of the scenery of Kibuye. A map at the beginning of the book helps the reader to relate to Agasazi's movements throughout the story. Crazy Boy the Hero is written for 6-10 years olds, in a narrative style, but from a child’s perspective. The book shows that the every day life of a child of that age is magic enough for great stories. Although the main character of the story, Agasazi, is identified as the craziest boy in the world, his personality is very typical of all children his age and therefore is easy for children to identify with. Whilst the boy himself does not actually exist, his desire for fun, friendship, play and adventure does exist in every child. A short educational section is included after the story explaining where the water we drink comes from. Because the book is set in another continent it cannot help but touch on issues and cultural differences that require some explanation to the reader (e.g. children fetching water; the use of domestic help in households; life without electricity; joys and dangers of swimming; etc.) and therefore the book has education content that naturally springs from the story. Steve Townsend (the author) lived and worked in Rwanda for 10 years for various Development Aid Agencies, marrying a Rwandan woman and raising two boys there, giving him a unique perspective of Rwanda and African culture. For 2 years he worked in Kibuye Town and has set his story there to give a real flavour of Africa to the reader.

Ol' Hook never did have much use for humans, coyotes, or horses. Coyotes killed his mother. Horses chased him. Humans took away his freedom, his only friend, and cut his off his horns. So when they hauled him to a rodeo and made him a bucking bull, Ol' Hook figured it time to get even. The Ballad of Ol' Hook is the story of a rodeo bull, a girl from east Texas who immortalizes him in song, and a wild young cowboy who must ride him at the moment when everything including his life hangs in the balance. Author Tom Townsend has done it again; created characters we care about, and a story we don't want to end.

Crazy Boy Crashes the Market by Steve Townsend, is the third in a series of books about a young boy's adventures set in the lakeside town of Kibuye in Rwanda. Market Day is a very important day in Africa. This particular Market Day is very important to Agasazi (the Crazy Boy) as it is the first time he has ever been. He learns lots of new things at the Market, but the most important thing Agasazi learnt was that he can not just take anything he wants. Sketch illustrations throughout the book help show the readers not only events in the story, but also some of the scenery of Kibuye. A map at the beginning of the book helps the reader to relate to Agasazi's movements throughout the story. Crazy Boy the Hero is written for 5-10 years olds, in a narrative style, but from a child’s perspective. The book shows that the every day life of a child of that age is magic enough for great stories. Although the main character of the story, Agasazi, is identified as the craziest boy in the world, his personality is very typical of all children his age and therefore is easy for children to identify with. Whilst the boy himself does not actually exist, his desire for fun, friendship, play and adventure does exist in every child.

Crazy Boy and his New Clothes by Steve Townsend, is the second in a series of books about a young boy's adventures set in the lakeside town of Kibuye in Rwanda, Africa. Agasazi (the Crazy Boy) is given a new outfit to wear. He loves it, but is not happy when his parents insist he only wears it on special occasions. Agasazi becomes angry and bored. Not a good combination in any child. Especially Agasazi. Sketch illustrations throughout the book help show the readers not only events in the story, but also some of the scenery of Kibuye. A map at the beginning of the book helps the reader to relate to Agasazi's movements throughout the story. Crazy Boy the Hero is written for 5-10 years olds, in a narrative style, but from a child’s perspective. The book shows that the every day life of a child of that age is magic enough for great stories. Although the main character of the story, Agasazi, is identified as the craziest boy in the world, his personality is very typical of all children his age and therefore is easy for children to identify with. Whilst the boy himself does not actually exist, his desire for fun, friendship, play and adventure does exist in every child.