About This Book
Vinny needs support from his agony-aunt mum, but she's too busy helping other people to notice in this empathetic tale about family and mental health by bestseller Helen Rutter.
Vinny's got problems – lots of them. His family's falling apart, and his best mates have dumped him for some really annoying girls.
He should be able to turn to his mum for help – she's an online life coach who answers other people's problems for a living. But she's too busy to see that Vinny is really struggling.
Unable to solve his own issues, Vinny starts replying to unanswered posts on an old blog of his mum's. At first the solutions seem easy, and he can be as hilariously honest as any 12-year-old boy would be, but what will happen when Vinny realises he's out of his depth?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Reviews
"A moving, wise, and beautifully observed novel. This book captures the quiet ache of feeling alone and turns it into something hopeful and human. By answering the questions in his mum's agony-aunt column, Vinny discovers what we all learn eventually: everyone carries troubles, and sharing them – solved or not – makes them lighter." — Jenny Pearson
"If you have ever felt unheard, Advice from a 12-Year-Old Nobody might be just the book for you. Funny, honest and heartwarming, this story follows Vinny, a boy who feels invisible; his mum is a popular online advice guru, yet she overlooks the struggles happening right at home … What makes this story special is how real Vinny feels. He is clever, kind and doing his best, even when life gets messy. You will laugh at his jokes, feel his loneliness and root for him as he finds his voice. This book gently explores imperfect families and how adults can miss what is right in front of them." — Children's Books Ireland
"Vinny comes to life in this poignant story and Helen Rutter's knack of depicting children realistically, and their response to difficult situations, shows real understanding." — Library Lady, blog
"A powerful exploration of mental health and the hidden loneliness that many children face when their parents are overwhelmed by their own careers or personal dramas. Vinnie is written with a raw, authentic vulnerability that hits home immediately. He isn't a movie version of a struggling kid; he's real … It's a masterclass in gentle strength that provides a fantastic roadmap for young readers navigating their own complicated relationships. A funny, deeply moving, and necessary read for anyone who has ever felt overlooked." — Mrs Cleveland Is Reading, blog
"An emotional rollercoaster, this book will tug at everyone's heart strings … I really enjoyed this book because I could relate to some of the troubles the main character went through." — LoveReading4Kids Kids' Review Panel
About the author
Helen Rutter is an acclaimed author and comedian. Her debut novel, The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh, was a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, in addition to being nominated for the Carnegie, shortlisted for the Costa, Blue Peter and Branford Boase Awards, and winning the Teach Primary Book Award.
