The Astounding Broccoli Boy

From Frank Cottrell Boyce—the beloved, award-winning, New York Times–bestselling author of Millions and Cosmic—comes another hilarious, heartbreaking, and completely original middle grade novel.

Rory Rooney likes to be prepared for anything. That sort of planning pays off when you’re the smallest kid in your class. Rory is even prepared (mostly) for Tommy-Lee, his nemesis, who starts most days by throwing Rory out of the back of the school bus. Don’t be scared, his favorite book says, be prepared. And Rory aims to be. What’s more heroic than that?

But Rory isn’t prepared when he suddenly and inexplicably turns green and finds himself stuck in an experimental hospital ward. The doctors are just as baffled as Rory is, and that’s when he begins to wonder: What if this isn’t caused by his genes, or a virus, or something he ate? What if it’s something even more extraordinary? After all, more than a few superheroes’ careers began when they turned green. Could this be a sign that he’s meant for something greater? Rory is going to find out—and that’s going to start with escaping from the hospital. 

One hospital ward. Two sworn enemies. And a mystery that’s bigger than both of them.

• Unlikely Allies: Rory and his nemesis Tommy-Lee are both stuck in quarantine after mysteriously turning green. Now, the smallest kid in school has to team up with the biggest bully.
• A Superhero Origin Story?: Rory knows that great power can begin with strange transformations. He’s convinced this isn’t a virus—it’s the start of something astounding, and he’s ready to prove it.
• Hilarious Middle Grade Adventure: This funny novel is full of hospital escapes, secret night-time excursions, and two boys figuring out that being different might just be their greatest strength.
• A Reluctant Hero: All Rory ever wanted was to be prepared and stay out of trouble. But to solve the mystery of why he’s green, he’ll have to become the hero of his own story.