Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (and Other Good Stuff)

Name: Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (and Other Good Stuff)
ISBN: 9780763687809

by L. Pichon

Join Tom Gates, a master of excuses and doodling, as he chronicles his hilarious daily adventures at school and home. This illustrated diary is packed with funny observations, band practice woes, and

About This Book

"Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (and Other Good Stuff)" is the second book in the wildly popular, award-winning Tom Gates series, presented as an illustrated diary from the perspective of 10-year-old Tom. Parents will appreciate its engaging format, which combines text with doodles, comic strips, and handwritten notes, making it highly appealing to reluctant readers. The book humorously explores relatable themes of school life, sibling rivalry with his older sister Delia, friendships with best friend Derek, and the trials of being in a band called Dogzombies. It normalizes everyday frustrations and joys with a lighthearted, optimistic tone, providing pure entertainment and a great conversation starter about school and family dynamics.

Originally published: London: Scholastic, 2011.

Concepts

Creativity & Imagination Friendship & Loyalty Self-Confidence & Identity Anger & Frustration Resilience & Perseverance Love & Family Joy & Gratitude Teamwork & Collaboration Sibling Rivalry Making Friends Growing Up School Life Family & Siblings Friendship & Social Humor

Heads up, parents

sibling_conflict

Discussion Prompts

What's the funniest excuse Tom comes up with in this book?

If you were in Tom's band, Dogzombies, what instrument would you play and what would your band name be?

How does Tom deal with his annoying sister, Delia, or his classmate, Marcus? What would you do?

What are some of your favorite things to doodle or draw when you're bored?

What makes Tom a good friend to Derek?

External Reviews