The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams - Mrs McBride (English)

Despite living in an ordinary house, in an ordinary street, in an ordinary town, Dennis, is anything but ordinary.  In fact this twelve-year old boy is extraordinary in many ways, and not just for his cross-dressing tendencies. 

 

This charming novel tells the story of Dennis, who lives with his Dad and brother, after his mum left suddenly.  Dennis tries his best to cope but misses his mum terribly.  Unfortunately, his dad and brother are less than sympathetic.  Indeed, Dennis’s brother John, would rather sit on Dennis’s face and fart, than extend any form of emotional support.  As for Dennis’s father, his message was clear: “No talking about mum.  No crying.  And worst of all – no hugging.”  

 

Poor Dennis’s only comfort is watching Trisha, which he loves nearly as much as playing football, and his friend Darvesh. 

But when Dennis makes friends with amateur dress-designer, Lisa and they discover a mutual love of fashion-magazine Vogue, Dennis’s life takes an unexpected turn.  Suddenly, Dennis can indulge his passion for beauty, creativity and fashion, as he and Lisa – who is utterly gorgeous, and fancied by everyone at school – embark on a dressing up project, involving Dennis in a short, electric-blue, sequined dress and matching clutch, masquerading as Denise, Lisa’s French pen-pal.  

Can Dennis pull it off and convince the children at school that he is a French exchange student?  What about the French teacher, Madame Windsor: can he fool her too?  And if not, what might the punishment be for attending one’s school dressed up in sequins, posing as a French student?  For Dennis this is only the beginning of his problems!

Whether you are young or old, a boy or girl, a cross-dresser or fashionista: you will laugh out loud as you read this hilarious and poignant tale about a boy, who lives in an ordinary house, in an ordinary street, in an ordinary town – who is anything but ordinary.