What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blockbuster Baddiel Box
The Person Controller
From the author of THE PARENT AGENCY comes a thrilling, funny and touching new adventure.
Fred and Ellie are twins. But not identical (because that's impossible for a boy and a girl). They do like all the same things, though. Especially video games. Which they are very good at. They aren't that good, however, at much else – like, for example, football, or dealing with the school bullies.
Then, they meet the Mystery Man, who sends them a video game controller, which doesn't look like any other controller they've ever seen. And it doesn't control any of their usual games. When the twins find out what it does control, though, it seems like the answer to all their problems. And the key to all their wildest dreams. At least it seems like that…
Fred and Ellie are twins. But not identical (because that's impossible for a boy and a girl). They do like all the same things, though. Especially video games. Which they are very good at. They aren't that good, however, at much else – like, for example, football, or dealing with the school bullies.
Then, they meet the Mystery Man, who sends them a video game controller, which doesn't look like any other controller they've ever seen. And it doesn't control any of their usual games. When the twins find out what it does control, though, it seems like the answer to all their problems. And the key to all their wildest dreams. At least it seems like that…
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
About the author
David Baddiel
83 books381 followersDavid Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter. Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. He grew up in grew up in Dollis Hill, Willesden, North London.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 26, 2019
The Electronic Genius
It was in one of those nerdy days of their extremely nerdy lives, that Ellie and Fred, the computer-nerdy twins who also happen to be the heroes of this story, got an unexpected visitor. He popped into their super idolized computer screen, introducing himself as the Mistery-Man. He was there not by chance, but with an important mission to accomplish — naming the twins as the absolute owners of the Super Controller, a toy capable of materializing any kind of thought coming from their fabulous nerdy 🤓 minds! After that, Ellie and Fred were no longer a couple of common nerdy twins; they were now the Guardians of an Electronic Genius, with a whole bunch of crazy adventures to experience and enjoy — WOW!!!
Now tell me, who wouldn’t love owning such a marvelous ingenious toy?! I consider that particular thought as an indispensable tool, for a truly successful reading 😉
Here is a story for us to share with our younger relatives, mainly the ones who have been gifted with a fruitful imagination. I’m sure we’ll also be infected by their viral enthusiasm, whilst absorbing the lines of this funny fantasy book 😉😊👍
It was in one of those nerdy days of their extremely nerdy lives, that Ellie and Fred, the computer-nerdy twins who also happen to be the heroes of this story, got an unexpected visitor. He popped into their super idolized computer screen, introducing himself as the Mistery-Man. He was there not by chance, but with an important mission to accomplish — naming the twins as the absolute owners of the Super Controller, a toy capable of materializing any kind of thought coming from their fabulous nerdy 🤓 minds! After that, Ellie and Fred were no longer a couple of common nerdy twins; they were now the Guardians of an Electronic Genius, with a whole bunch of crazy adventures to experience and enjoy — WOW!!!
Now tell me, who wouldn’t love owning such a marvelous ingenious toy?! I consider that particular thought as an indispensable tool, for a truly successful reading 😉
Here is a story for us to share with our younger relatives, mainly the ones who have been gifted with a fruitful imagination. I’m sure we’ll also be infected by their viral enthusiasm, whilst absorbing the lines of this funny fantasy book 😉😊👍
November 26, 2019
O Génio Electrónico
Ellie e Fred são dois gémeos nerds da electrónica. Um belo dia, andavam eles envolvidos nas suas habituais actividades “nerdicas”, quando foram surpreendidos por uma visita virtual: o ecrã 📺 do seu amadíssimo computador 🖥 fora invadido por uma aparição — O Homem-Mistério — uma imagem vinda do Além, que descera ao Planeta Azul para os nomear donos absolutos do Supercomando, um génio electrónico, capaz de lhes conceder todo e qualquer desejo, Amen 🙏...
E foi assim que Fred, passou a saltar que nem um gato 🐈, que Ellie passou a voar como a Wonder-Woman, que Fred, num jogo de futebol, foi capaz de executar um triplo mortal seguido dum golo incrível, que Ellie andou armada em Cinderella , etc, etc,... Enfim, foram múltiplas e divertidas, as aventuras proporcionadas pelo Supercomando ...
O Supercomando, é uma leitura ideal para partilhar com aqueles parentes bem novinhos, especialmente os dotados duma imaginação transbordante, pois esses irão certamente contagiar-nos com o entusiasmo experienciado, e fazer-nos recuar uns bons anos no tempo. Só por isso vale!!! 😊😉👍
Ellie e Fred são dois gémeos nerds da electrónica. Um belo dia, andavam eles envolvidos nas suas habituais actividades “nerdicas”, quando foram surpreendidos por uma visita virtual: o ecrã 📺 do seu amadíssimo computador 🖥 fora invadido por uma aparição — O Homem-Mistério — uma imagem vinda do Além, que descera ao Planeta Azul para os nomear donos absolutos do Supercomando, um génio electrónico, capaz de lhes conceder todo e qualquer desejo, Amen 🙏...
E foi assim que Fred, passou a saltar que nem um gato 🐈, que Ellie passou a voar como a Wonder-Woman, que Fred, num jogo de futebol, foi capaz de executar um triplo mortal seguido dum golo incrível, que Ellie andou armada em Cinderella , etc, etc,... Enfim, foram múltiplas e divertidas, as aventuras proporcionadas pelo Supercomando ...
O Supercomando, é uma leitura ideal para partilhar com aqueles parentes bem novinhos, especialmente os dotados duma imaginação transbordante, pois esses irão certamente contagiar-nos com o entusiasmo experienciado, e fazer-nos recuar uns bons anos no tempo. Só por isso vale!!! 😊😉👍
October 13, 2019
Rating: 4/5 || Recenzia pe Secretele Simonei
O familie cam ciudată
Primită în urmă cu ceva timp, Controller-ul de oameni a fost o carte care m-a atrast în primă instanță prin coperta foarte frumoasă. Citind descrierea, am devenit interesată de povestea pe care David Baddiel mi-o pregătise. Curiozitatea mi-a fost stârnită și de ilustrațiile minunate din interior, numai bune pentru a captiva atenția copiilor.
Fred și Ellie sunt doi frați gemeni cu pasiuni mai geeky. Acestora le plac foarte mult jocurile video și sunt niște elevi silitori, spre deosebire de alți colegi din școala lor. Locuiesc alături de mama și tatăl lor, două personaje foarte diferite și stranii. Pe de o parte, tatăl este un bărbat solid care mănâncă foaaaarte multe sandvișuri, iar pe de alta, mama este o ciudată care se uită mereu la televizor, dorind să rămână concentrată la emisiunea "Comoara din pod".
Personajul cheie al cărții mi s-a părut pisica familiei, denumită Margaret Gheruțescu! Numele acestei pisici mi-a trezit instant hazul și acum aș dori să am și eu o pisică pe care să o botez așa. :)) Cu toate că numele ei stârnește amuzamentul, nu la fel de fuuny este faptul că mâța este prinsă mereu în mâinile mamei familiei.
Cum să controlezi oamenii
În momentul în care controller-ul lui Ellie este prins în...dosul tatălui său, aceasta decide că este cazul să renunțe la acesta (chiar dacă era preferatul ei). Fred și Ellie intră caută pe internet un nou controller, iar acesta are să vină din partea unui așa zis Omul Misterios. Propunându-le un controler care pare fantezist, copiii nu știu ce să zică de această ofertă. Nu trece mult timp până în momentul când un pachet misterios sosește pentru cei doi frați. Oare ce să fie?
Ce te-ai face dacă ai primi un controller și o brățară care să fie colerate? Controller-ul controlează posesorul brățării și îl poate face ce vrea! Imaginați-vă numai, câte lucruri poate face cineva pe care voi îl controlați?
Așa se întâmplă când Ellie și Fred descoperă "puterile" controller-ului. Legând controller-ul de jocurile lor video preferate, cei doi frați reușesc să facă salturi prin aer și multe alte lucruri pe care în mod normal nu ar fi capabili să le facă.
Apasă A+B+UP+DOWN ca să deblochezi modul "CARTE AMUZANTĂ"
Controller-ul te scapă de bătăuși...
...sau nu? Isla și Morris sunt tot doi frați gemeni, însă nu au nimic în comun cu personajele noastre principale. Aceștia sunt bătăușii școlii și nu ratează nicio ocazie pentru a-și impune "puterea" în rândul puștimii.
Fred și Ellie le vin de hac la un moment dat, însă planurile lor reușesc să fie date peste cap. Se pare că folosirea unui controller pentru a deveni mai bun la fotbal sau pentru a le veni de hac bătăușilor nu este cea mai bună idee.
Eu m-am distrat de minune citind din Controller-ul de oameni și abia aștept să lecturez Agenția de părinți, carte scrisă tot de David Baddiel. Ambele au apărut la Editura Gama și sunt niște lecturi potrivite pentru copii, întrucât stârnesc amuzamentul și ne lasă cu anumite învățături de care să luăm aminte.
O familie cam ciudată
Primită în urmă cu ceva timp, Controller-ul de oameni a fost o carte care m-a atrast în primă instanță prin coperta foarte frumoasă. Citind descrierea, am devenit interesată de povestea pe care David Baddiel mi-o pregătise. Curiozitatea mi-a fost stârnită și de ilustrațiile minunate din interior, numai bune pentru a captiva atenția copiilor.
Fred și Ellie sunt doi frați gemeni cu pasiuni mai geeky. Acestora le plac foarte mult jocurile video și sunt niște elevi silitori, spre deosebire de alți colegi din școala lor. Locuiesc alături de mama și tatăl lor, două personaje foarte diferite și stranii. Pe de o parte, tatăl este un bărbat solid care mănâncă foaaaarte multe sandvișuri, iar pe de alta, mama este o ciudată care se uită mereu la televizor, dorind să rămână concentrată la emisiunea "Comoara din pod".
Personajul cheie al cărții mi s-a părut pisica familiei, denumită Margaret Gheruțescu! Numele acestei pisici mi-a trezit instant hazul și acum aș dori să am și eu o pisică pe care să o botez așa. :)) Cu toate că numele ei stârnește amuzamentul, nu la fel de fuuny este faptul că mâța este prinsă mereu în mâinile mamei familiei.
Cum să controlezi oamenii
În momentul în care controller-ul lui Ellie este prins în...dosul tatălui său, aceasta decide că este cazul să renunțe la acesta (chiar dacă era preferatul ei). Fred și Ellie intră caută pe internet un nou controller, iar acesta are să vină din partea unui așa zis Omul Misterios. Propunându-le un controler care pare fantezist, copiii nu știu ce să zică de această ofertă. Nu trece mult timp până în momentul când un pachet misterios sosește pentru cei doi frați. Oare ce să fie?
Ce te-ai face dacă ai primi un controller și o brățară care să fie colerate? Controller-ul controlează posesorul brățării și îl poate face ce vrea! Imaginați-vă numai, câte lucruri poate face cineva pe care voi îl controlați?
Așa se întâmplă când Ellie și Fred descoperă "puterile" controller-ului. Legând controller-ul de jocurile lor video preferate, cei doi frați reușesc să facă salturi prin aer și multe alte lucruri pe care în mod normal nu ar fi capabili să le facă.
Apasă A+B+UP+DOWN ca să deblochezi modul "CARTE AMUZANTĂ"
Controller-ul te scapă de bătăuși...
...sau nu? Isla și Morris sunt tot doi frați gemeni, însă nu au nimic în comun cu personajele noastre principale. Aceștia sunt bătăușii școlii și nu ratează nicio ocazie pentru a-și impune "puterea" în rândul puștimii.
Fred și Ellie le vin de hac la un moment dat, însă planurile lor reușesc să fie date peste cap. Se pare că folosirea unui controller pentru a deveni mai bun la fotbal sau pentru a le veni de hac bătăușilor nu este cea mai bună idee.
Eu m-am distrat de minune citind din Controller-ul de oameni și abia aștept să lecturez Agenția de părinți, carte scrisă tot de David Baddiel. Ambele au apărut la Editura Gama și sunt niște lecturi potrivite pentru copii, întrucât stârnesc amuzamentul și ne lasă cu anumite învățături de care să luăm aminte.
June 19, 2017
I really liked this book because it was really funny.
December 6, 2015
I am really impressed with David Baddiel as a children's author, he has a very natural way of writing for them, he doesn't go overkill on the humour, and has a wonderful grasp on the wish-fulfilment ideas that grab at a young reader.
In his first, he tapped into the wish of (many?) children to change their parents. In his second, he goes for technology, and has his protagonists get their hands on a game controller that can control a connected person - change their appearance, make them a superhuman fighter. Who is going to be able to resist that premise?!
Fred and Ellie, twins, live with a food-obsessed dad and a Cash-in-the-Attic obsessed mum. Their own obsessions include a shared love of computer games. In a scene reminiscent of the film Pleasantville, the pair are given a new controller after their dad sits of theirs, and they soon find that they are able to use it to control the person wearing the connected bracelet. Fred enjoys being able to fight off the school bullies and play football like a professional, and Ellie falls under the spell of being able to change from a bespeckled skinny girl to a well-coiffed and curvy teenager.
The story moves along nicely, lots of short chapters and a pair of characters designed to appeal to both genders, with lots of tech-talk that I could just about follow and a 9-13 year old will lap up. Baddiel knows how to write 'funny' without pushing it too hard - he's just a natural.
The school bullies are a funny pair of smart and dumb, the iBabies a hilarious duo of young fans. I really enjoyed seeing Fred and Ellie explore their desires and use the controller, and I also thought the slightly sad and tender scenes of them and their parents were well handled (with themes of obsession and contemporary insular behaviour), though I wanted the controller to play more of a role in bringing them all together.
Will definitely be buying these titles for my school library, and will read any further by Baddiel. Highly recommended for KS2/KS3 reading, and would be wonderful for a class read.
In his first, he tapped into the wish of (many?) children to change their parents. In his second, he goes for technology, and has his protagonists get their hands on a game controller that can control a connected person - change their appearance, make them a superhuman fighter. Who is going to be able to resist that premise?!
Fred and Ellie, twins, live with a food-obsessed dad and a Cash-in-the-Attic obsessed mum. Their own obsessions include a shared love of computer games. In a scene reminiscent of the film Pleasantville, the pair are given a new controller after their dad sits of theirs, and they soon find that they are able to use it to control the person wearing the connected bracelet. Fred enjoys being able to fight off the school bullies and play football like a professional, and Ellie falls under the spell of being able to change from a bespeckled skinny girl to a well-coiffed and curvy teenager.
The story moves along nicely, lots of short chapters and a pair of characters designed to appeal to both genders, with lots of tech-talk that I could just about follow and a 9-13 year old will lap up. Baddiel knows how to write 'funny' without pushing it too hard - he's just a natural.
The school bullies are a funny pair of smart and dumb, the iBabies a hilarious duo of young fans. I really enjoyed seeing Fred and Ellie explore their desires and use the controller, and I also thought the slightly sad and tender scenes of them and their parents were well handled (with themes of obsession and contemporary insular behaviour), though I wanted the controller to play more of a role in bringing them all together.
Will definitely be buying these titles for my school library, and will read any further by Baddiel. Highly recommended for KS2/KS3 reading, and would be wonderful for a class read.
April 12, 2017
A controller that allows one to control a person? That sounds like such a delight, and I had to read the book when I spotted it at the library.
Plus add to that curiosity that I am gamer myself, so the book fitted me perfectly. I am a bit like Ellie, always quite good at games, and people at times teased me about it. Boys weren't all to happy I could defeat them. I was definitely a big fan of Ellie, in fact I was cheering for her quite often during the events of the book. Her control over the controller was amazing, and I loved her extensive knowledge of all sorts of games. She could switch between them, from Street Fighter to Mario, to more recenter games like Minecraft like it was nothing.
But I also recognised her insecurity (which definitely wasn't helped by the bullying). How she felt like she should change. I have to say that I didn't quite like the change, it was just too much, she was just not Ellie any more. She was someone else, and I am not sure if she wants to be that person forever. I am glad that she could also see that, it took quite some time, but you saw that she was slowing starting to become more accepting of how she looked. (Which may also have to do with Rashid.)
Then we have Fred, I did quite like Fred, he was interesting character, and it was fun finding out what was his superpower (as I would call it that, everyone has one after all). I had a niggling suspicion on what it could be from a certain point, and was happy to see it being confirmed at the end. Plus there were all sorts of hints to it.
Like Ellie he is insecure, but not in how he looks, but with his talents. His sister is awesome at gaming and that is something he gets teased about on school. Then there is his wish to be a soccer/football player and how that fares. He feels like he has got no talent at times, and I was just cheering for him to find that hidden power.
It was fun to see the two of them cooperate and play with the controller. I loved seeing what they did, from saving a cat to fighting bullies (no, nothing really overly violent, mostly it was dodging or swinging the enemy). They really used the controller to the max.
I loved the fact our main characters were twins. I always love stories about twins, it is just so interesting to see them interact, and I loved what the twins could do in this one. That is quite a nice skill, even though it may look silly to onlookers. :P
There are just a few questions I still have after reading the book: Who is the Mystery Man? Why did he pick Ellie and Fred? How did he know all the things he did? Where does the Mystery Man live? Is he stuck in that laptop? Or is it something else?
It was just a bit confusing. Sure, it was an interesting addition, but it feels to me as if it could be explored a bit further, now it felt like he didn't matter that much in the long run.
Near the end (with the football/soccer match) there was a mention of characters from other book by this author. I just adore it when characters make a cameo.
There is lots of fourth wall breaking, which I just love, of course when it is well done, which is the case in this book. There are also footnotes, but they didn't feel like too intrusive or a bother, if anything they fitted with book perfectly and even brought a smile on my face.
I didn't like Morris and Isla, they were just a bit too much and too annoying for me. I can't understand why the dad didn't see anything happen, or if he did, why he didn't do anything about it. But mostly I just wanted to have them out of the story. I hate bullies, and these really took it to the next level. :|
Then we have the iBabies, thank heaven that they don't have much time in the spotlight, because otherwise I would have just dropped the book. They were a pest. I can imagine that our twins would avoid them and even call them that. OK, the name was a bit mean, but I can see why the twins act like this. Then again, maybe just talk to them honestly and tell them how you feel, even if they are too young they may get it.
I am not too sure how I felt about the parents, I could see they loved their kids quite a lot, but the way they treated their kids, how they barely even noticed them was just painful, and I wanted to shake them. You got these wonderful kids, and you should care for them more. Look after them. Be there for them when they need you. And how, really how, can you not notice that your daughter is totally different from normal. *sighs*
The book is also covered in delightful illustrations, I am really happy there were so many of them, I really looked forward to them.
Mm, I think I have mentioned everything I wanted now, all I will say is that everyone should read this fun, hilarious book!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
Plus add to that curiosity that I am gamer myself, so the book fitted me perfectly. I am a bit like Ellie, always quite good at games, and people at times teased me about it. Boys weren't all to happy I could defeat them. I was definitely a big fan of Ellie, in fact I was cheering for her quite often during the events of the book. Her control over the controller was amazing, and I loved her extensive knowledge of all sorts of games. She could switch between them, from Street Fighter to Mario, to more recenter games like Minecraft like it was nothing.
But I also recognised her insecurity (which definitely wasn't helped by the bullying). How she felt like she should change. I have to say that I didn't quite like the change, it was just too much, she was just not Ellie any more. She was someone else, and I am not sure if she wants to be that person forever. I am glad that she could also see that, it took quite some time, but you saw that she was slowing starting to become more accepting of how she looked. (Which may also have to do with Rashid.)
Then we have Fred, I did quite like Fred, he was interesting character, and it was fun finding out what was his superpower (as I would call it that, everyone has one after all). I had a niggling suspicion on what it could be from a certain point, and was happy to see it being confirmed at the end. Plus there were all sorts of hints to it.
Like Ellie he is insecure, but not in how he looks, but with his talents. His sister is awesome at gaming and that is something he gets teased about on school. Then there is his wish to be a soccer/football player and how that fares. He feels like he has got no talent at times, and I was just cheering for him to find that hidden power.
It was fun to see the two of them cooperate and play with the controller. I loved seeing what they did, from saving a cat to fighting bullies (no, nothing really overly violent, mostly it was dodging or swinging the enemy). They really used the controller to the max.
I loved the fact our main characters were twins. I always love stories about twins, it is just so interesting to see them interact, and I loved what the twins could do in this one. That is quite a nice skill, even though it may look silly to onlookers. :P
There are just a few questions I still have after reading the book: Who is the Mystery Man? Why did he pick Ellie and Fred? How did he know all the things he did? Where does the Mystery Man live? Is he stuck in that laptop? Or is it something else?
It was just a bit confusing. Sure, it was an interesting addition, but it feels to me as if it could be explored a bit further, now it felt like he didn't matter that much in the long run.
Near the end (with the football/soccer match) there was a mention of characters from other book by this author. I just adore it when characters make a cameo.
There is lots of fourth wall breaking, which I just love, of course when it is well done, which is the case in this book. There are also footnotes, but they didn't feel like too intrusive or a bother, if anything they fitted with book perfectly and even brought a smile on my face.
I didn't like Morris and Isla, they were just a bit too much and too annoying for me. I can't understand why the dad didn't see anything happen, or if he did, why he didn't do anything about it. But mostly I just wanted to have them out of the story. I hate bullies, and these really took it to the next level. :|
Then we have the iBabies, thank heaven that they don't have much time in the spotlight, because otherwise I would have just dropped the book. They were a pest. I can imagine that our twins would avoid them and even call them that. OK, the name was a bit mean, but I can see why the twins act like this. Then again, maybe just talk to them honestly and tell them how you feel, even if they are too young they may get it.
I am not too sure how I felt about the parents, I could see they loved their kids quite a lot, but the way they treated their kids, how they barely even noticed them was just painful, and I wanted to shake them. You got these wonderful kids, and you should care for them more. Look after them. Be there for them when they need you. And how, really how, can you not notice that your daughter is totally different from normal. *sighs*
The book is also covered in delightful illustrations, I am really happy there were so many of them, I really looked forward to them.
Mm, I think I have mentioned everything I wanted now, all I will say is that everyone should read this fun, hilarious book!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
July 22, 2018
Okay first of all, this book has OFFICIALLY become one of my favourites. I admit though, the cover pulled me into buying it (it's just so pretty) but also cause I read Baddiel's The Parent Agency, which, well, also got me hooked. So I got pretty much high expectations for this one and it definitely blew me off (in some way?). IT'S A MUST READ.
October 18, 2016
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great book great for bright 8 year olds to 12 years old
Could read it so many times
Milo 8 year old boy
Great book great for bright 8 year olds to 12 years old
Could read it so many times
Milo 8 year old boy
November 21, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to reading more by David baddiel.
February 25, 2018
My daughter said this book if fantastic David Baddiel is a very good author she has read all his books and they're all fantastic. She says David Baddiel has a very good imagination.
January 11, 2019
Read for my kids. Nice reading. Recommend
November 14, 2015
Full review and giveaway now up on my blog: http://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/...
What originally attracted me to The Person Controller was the plot. It sounded like a completely new and inventive idea, and one that hooked me just from the description alone. That's just as well though, as in the end the plot was the only thing that kept this book going for me. It was fast-paced with plenty of action, packed with all the special moves from popular video game characters.
The book is funny, with the humour obviously targeting the younger audience, though it is very literal - perfectly encapsulating Baddiel's trademark brand of humour. However, the humour is too childlike for my taste, though of course that's just my personal opinion.
No, the biggest problem lies with the characters. The Person Controller is full of unoriginal stereotyped characters, completely at odds with the uniqueness of the plot. From the various sets of peas-in-a-pod twins, to the busy and preoccupied parents, to the big, mean opposition in Fred's football match.
But the worst example of this is the bullies, Isla and Morris (more twins). Morris, being the boy, is the muscle behind the operation. He's strong, but slow and incredibly stupid. Then Isla, as the girl, is the brains. She's clever, yet tends to leave the physical side of things to Morris. And of course, they're the headmaster's children. I don't think it's possible to get much more stereotypical than that.
What originally attracted me to The Person Controller was the plot. It sounded like a completely new and inventive idea, and one that hooked me just from the description alone. That's just as well though, as in the end the plot was the only thing that kept this book going for me. It was fast-paced with plenty of action, packed with all the special moves from popular video game characters.
The book is funny, with the humour obviously targeting the younger audience, though it is very literal - perfectly encapsulating Baddiel's trademark brand of humour. However, the humour is too childlike for my taste, though of course that's just my personal opinion.
No, the biggest problem lies with the characters. The Person Controller is full of unoriginal stereotyped characters, completely at odds with the uniqueness of the plot. From the various sets of peas-in-a-pod twins, to the busy and preoccupied parents, to the big, mean opposition in Fred's football match.
But the worst example of this is the bullies, Isla and Morris (more twins). Morris, being the boy, is the muscle behind the operation. He's strong, but slow and incredibly stupid. Then Isla, as the girl, is the brains. She's clever, yet tends to leave the physical side of things to Morris. And of course, they're the headmaster's children. I don't think it's possible to get much more stereotypical than that.
July 7, 2016
Some books I enjoy can be a bit boring in the beginning before you get sucked into the story but there is NOT ONE boring part in this whole book!
David Baddiel has thought up a very unique and interesting plot like he did in his first book, the Parent Agency. There are these twins Fred and Ellie who are nice but a bit nerdy who go online and find The Mystery Man who offers them a free trial of a Controller that can control whoever is wearing a special bracelet. You can change how your avatar looks and then make someone jump really high or run really fast or play really good football....
The big obstacle in this story are another set of twins who are everything that Fred and Ellie want to be (good at sports, pretty and so on) but they are really mean and the school bullies. Of course the teachers have no idea of this because their dad is the headmaster and they win the best behaved students award every year. UGH!
Fred and Ellie's mum and dad are really funny. I like the way the author described their personalities through their obsessions with Cash in the Attic (or Money in the Loft - a totally different show!) and bacon sandwiches. It made me laugh.
I also liked how at the end Fred turned out to be an amazing footballer but just needed to believe that something else was making him do it.
I think anyone should enjoy this book especially if you are a gamer like me but even if you are not, all the video game things are explained.
David Baddiel has thought up a very unique and interesting plot like he did in his first book, the Parent Agency. There are these twins Fred and Ellie who are nice but a bit nerdy who go online and find The Mystery Man who offers them a free trial of a Controller that can control whoever is wearing a special bracelet. You can change how your avatar looks and then make someone jump really high or run really fast or play really good football....
The big obstacle in this story are another set of twins who are everything that Fred and Ellie want to be (good at sports, pretty and so on) but they are really mean and the school bullies. Of course the teachers have no idea of this because their dad is the headmaster and they win the best behaved students award every year. UGH!
Fred and Ellie's mum and dad are really funny. I like the way the author described their personalities through their obsessions with Cash in the Attic (or Money in the Loft - a totally different show!) and bacon sandwiches. It made me laugh.
I also liked how at the end Fred turned out to be an amazing footballer but just needed to believe that something else was making him do it.
I think anyone should enjoy this book especially if you are a gamer like me but even if you are not, all the video game things are explained.
January 4, 2019
Fred and Ellie are two twins who aren't identical, but they do the same things, such as video games, adventures, and that kind of stuff. over the course of the story, the twins end up meeting this guy who is apparently the mystery man, who gives them a video games controller. but this video game controller isn't like any ordinary one, that controls your usual games.it controls something far more interesting. When they find out that this controller controls people, they THOUGHT that it would solve all of their conflicts and keep the peace. that's what it seemed like. I rated this book 4 stars because I don't really like these futuristic books, although this one kept me hooked. This book is also very funny and I recommend this book to anyone who wants a laugh, and anyone who is into fantasy and that type of books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2017
Nice book
2 twins go on adventure find controller and then just mess around
2 twins go on adventure find controller and then just mess around
October 5, 2018
It was so 👍good
I would so reconvened this book and plus my birthday is on the 21st of September and I'm a twin with an opposite gender
I would so reconvened this book and plus my birthday is on the 21st of September and I'm a twin with an opposite gender
October 15, 2018
Good Story and fun character!
Enjoyable children’s book, particularly liked by my nine year old son. Main characters are fun and likeable and the story is very heartwarming!
Enjoyable children’s book, particularly liked by my nine year old son. Main characters are fun and likeable and the story is very heartwarming!
November 21, 2018
I think this book is funny and interesting. It is a lot of things happening. It is fun if you like action because it is a lot of that happening.
November 26, 2018
This book is an easy read and really funny. It has good characters and a good book. I read it on just over a day!
August 23, 2021
4.75 stars! Great humorous book! I would 1000% recommend to any child or adult wanting to read this. Happy Reading! 😊
November 1, 2015
This is David Baddiel’s second children’s book, and although I haven’t read the first (The Parent Agency), I understand that they’re connected – at least, they’re set in the same fictional universe, and there’s a little bit of crossover towards the end of the second book where we get to see some familiar faces. I’ve got to say, I wasn’t hugely impressed – it was reasonably well-written and the story line was okay, but it was just missing that little spark of magic.
That said, the humour was pretty good throughout, and I loved the illustrations – they were provided by Jim Field, who did a great job of absorbing Baddiel’s words and bringing them to life. The cover in particular is fantastic, and it’s almost worth reading for that alone. And let’s be fair, even though I wouldn’t put Baddiel in a par with Roald Dahl, it’s still worth reading – after all, you whizz through it due to the large print and the illustrations, and you feel accomplished by the end. This isn’t a book that you’ll struggle with – it’s fluid and well spaced out, with plenty of chances to pause and pick it up another day. That’s why it’d work pretty well as a bedtime story.
Essentially, the story follows what happens after a pair of twins discover a magical controller, which, when paired with a bracelet, allows the operator of the controller to manipulate the wearer of the bracelet. It’s an interesting concept, and Baddiel has a fun play with it, but it’s not one that would work well if he tried to continue with it in further books. But I doubt he will – the interesting thing about both this and The Parent Agency is that although they do sort of operate within the same fictional universe, they’re also total standalones. In practical terms, that means that you don’t need to have read his first book to read this one, which is a great advantage.
Overall, a 7/10 is my default rating for a book which was of a professional standard but which just didn’t quite blow my mind – make of that what you will! And be sure to let me know what you thought.
That said, the humour was pretty good throughout, and I loved the illustrations – they were provided by Jim Field, who did a great job of absorbing Baddiel’s words and bringing them to life. The cover in particular is fantastic, and it’s almost worth reading for that alone. And let’s be fair, even though I wouldn’t put Baddiel in a par with Roald Dahl, it’s still worth reading – after all, you whizz through it due to the large print and the illustrations, and you feel accomplished by the end. This isn’t a book that you’ll struggle with – it’s fluid and well spaced out, with plenty of chances to pause and pick it up another day. That’s why it’d work pretty well as a bedtime story.
Essentially, the story follows what happens after a pair of twins discover a magical controller, which, when paired with a bracelet, allows the operator of the controller to manipulate the wearer of the bracelet. It’s an interesting concept, and Baddiel has a fun play with it, but it’s not one that would work well if he tried to continue with it in further books. But I doubt he will – the interesting thing about both this and The Parent Agency is that although they do sort of operate within the same fictional universe, they’re also total standalones. In practical terms, that means that you don’t need to have read his first book to read this one, which is a great advantage.
Overall, a 7/10 is my default rating for a book which was of a professional standard but which just didn’t quite blow my mind – make of that what you will! And be sure to let me know what you thought.
May 14, 2017
Learned only last week that David Baddiel was writing children's books and the title of this sounded fun, fantasy is always appealing to me. This didn't disappoint, it's a fun story about twins who like video games that get given a magic controller. Being familiar with Baddiel, I could imagine his voice through some parts, in particular some of the more sarcastic commentary and it was some of that which I didn't like, such as the repetitive social commentary on the quality of the school that culminated in the final chapters with an equal commentary on the private school being infinitely better. I didn't like that opinion being given to a child by way of this book. The story itself is lots of fun and I can see a 9 - 10 year old enjoying it too.
February 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this book.
May 16, 2016
Wat een grappig boek. De mysterieuze controller bestuurt geen game maar degene die het bijbehorende armbandje draagt. Je kunt zelf kiezen of je goed wilt voetballen, of dat je iets bouwt, een salto maakt of je uiterlijk verandert. Allemaal mogelijkheden van bekende games. De personages zijn grappig, net als de situaties in het verhaal.
Een aanrader, hopelijk schrikken de 370 pagina's niet af. Voor lezers van 10 jaar en ouder.
Een aanrader, hopelijk schrikken de 370 pagina's niet af. Voor lezers van 10 jaar en ouder.
October 21, 2017
Este un roman pentru copii, umoristic. Se pun în temă diferite probleme cu care se confruntă copii: bulling-ul în școală, nesiguranța de sine, stânjeneală din cauza părinților și altele asemenea. Aici se ilustrează și cum reușesc tinerii să treacă peste acestea.
Recenzia completă: https://worldofbooksweb.com/2017/04/2...
Recenzia completă: https://worldofbooksweb.com/2017/04/2...
December 12, 2016
Overall, David Baddiel is a great author so i loved this book! Probably one of my favourite reads of 2016, the creativity and detail stunned me! The idea was great and i loved reading about Fred & Ellie. i rate it a 5/5- very good!
February 15, 2018
Read this with my class in work. Really well put together. Genuinely funny. Very clever use of language and footnotes that would make Terry Pratchett proud. Good for 12-14 year olds on their own or 11/12 year olds reading with an adult.
February 5, 2019
Asi nie som úplne správna cieľová skupina na túto knihu. Decká sú podľa knihy divné, lebo majú radi matiku. OK. Rodičia sú akoby vypadli z Matildy. OK?
Snažila som sa do nej začítať, ale po tom, čo mama otcovi pol strany vyťahovala zo zadku prisadnutý ovládač, som to vzdala úplne.
Snažila som sa do nej začítať, ale po tom, čo mama otcovi pol strany vyťahovala zo zadku prisadnutý ovládač, som to vzdala úplne.
January 23, 2017
Great illustrations and an modern twist on an old storyline, ticking all the boxes for boys
September 16, 2019
This book is a really good book for ages 9 to 13 because it has a lot of humour but it is quite hard to understand for Youngers. This genre is a comedy for many reasons. In my opinion I enjoyed reading this book. The ending was really good showing the kids what will happen if they use the controller to much. I recommend this book to people that like to laugh and enjoy comedy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews