Whether if what happened in the book was funny or sad. This made the book very enjoyable just to picture in your head what was going on in the book. As you read in the last two paragraphs John described emotions very well. The only book I know of that was written like a diary was the Diary of Anne Frank. Something unique about this book was that its style that it was written in was like a diary. Van De Ruit does a good job showing love as a theme by having Spud say “but Maggy you’re the only thing that matters to me, and I won’t go home knowing your disappointed in me” But Spud is determined to get her back in whatever way possible. In the book spud meets a girl named Maggy and they go out but eventually break up for some reasons. The author places moments that all boys like Spud go through to become men.

John Van De Ruit portrays many themes throughout the book. As he starts boarding school in South Africa Spud will have to make mew friends and make it through the school year. Spud will also learn that growing can be fun. But for Spud growing up will come with a few difficulties and surprises. Apartheid is losing ground and Mandela is being released from prison, and the diverse cast of students and teachers in the school react in surprising and varied ways.Fourteen year old Spud Milton is just about done with his childhood and is about to begin his journey into manhood. first-years, girls, crazy roommates, girls, crazy teachers, and embarrassing parents- however, van de Ruit provides a serious background against the hilarity of boarding school life. Many of Spud's adventures seem like typical boarding-school-story fare- illegal night swimming, girls, elaborate pranks, the hierarchy of prefects vs. The book definitely isn't totally politically correct (Spud's overweight friend is nicknamed 'Fatty') but it's a hilarious insight into the day-to-day dealings of a teenage boy. Expect some 'objectionable content'- we'll just say Spud receives his nickname for a reason. Spud does not shy away from any topics of school life, and we're definitely taken through the thought process of a 13 year old boy. Luckily for us, he begins keeping a diary and so begins recording his insane adventures as a teenage boy. Set in 1990s South Africa, John 'Spud' Milton wins a scholarship to a prestigious all-boys boarding school. Right from the start, Spud is a completely hilarious novel.

Spud by john van de ruit