Brilliant: Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle`s `brilliant` Brilliant is a wonderful, heartwarming middle grade tale of friendship and family.

Gloria and Rayzer must save their Uncle Ben. The black dog has got him.

At least, that`s what they heard their granny say. And she says it`s taken Dublin`s funny bone too.

As Uncle Ben`s Dublin business fails, it`s clear to Gloria and Rayzer that something is wrong. He just isn`t his usual cheerful self. Gathering all their courage the children set out on a midnight quest to hunt down the Black Dog and chase it away.

Gloria and Rayzer are really brave, but the black dog is really scary - and soon they realize that they can`t fight it alone. Before long loads of other children are searching for it too, because the Black Dog is hounding lots of Dublin`s adults. Together - and with the help of magical animals, birds and rodents - the children manage to corner the Black Dog... but will they have the courage and cleverness to destroy the frightening creature?