A logical extension of Hornby's territory, combining the humour and keen perceptionof his earlier books with a harsher set of facts; a north London landscape slightly reminiscent of Joseph Connolly and Martin Amis. The psychology of Hornby's characters is carefully, thoughtfully and gently done. There is a heart to Hornby's writing which sets its world apart from those of Connolly or Amis' Tobias Hill, Observer.

Too cool! At thirty-six, he's as hip as a teenager. He's single, child-free, goes to the right clubs and knows which trainers to wear. He's also found a great way to score with women: attend single parents' groups full of available (and grateful) mothers, all hoping to meet a Nice Guy.

Which is how Will meets Marcus, the oldest twelve-year-old on the planet. Marcus is a bit strange: he listens to Joni Mitchell and Mozart, looks after his mum and has never owned a pair of trainers. But Marcus latches on to Will - and won't let go. Can Will teach Marcus how to grow up cool? And can Marcus help Will just to grow up?

'About the awful, hilarious, embarrassing places where children and adults meet, and Hornby has captured it with delightful precision'