This is a triumph! A funny book which at its heart shouts out how important words are ( with some lexical explanations along the way)
13 year old Carmichael, the bane of his parents and teachers’ lives is entered into a school talent-contest as a stand-up comic but teenage angst and anger get in the way and Carmichael finds himself in a situation where he has to decide whether what he thinks he wants is really true .
I really enjoyed this face-paced story. The dialogue is witty ,the character is highly- believable and I loved the idea of” laughing whilst you are learning” as the reader is introduced to the meanings of certain words that occur naturally in the story. This would be a perfect read for middle-grade readers and a great book for a class discussion

Full of humour and a brilliant story I'm sure children will adore. Full of humour and a brilliant story I'm sure children will adore. Full of humour and a brilliant story I'm sure children will adore. Full of humour and a brilliant story I'm sure children will adore.

I loved the funny lines, the witty jokes and the contemporary feel. I love many things about this book, I am not sure about the plot and the trip to the US but it was a good book.

I am an avid reader of children’s books for many reasons - the wonderful uninhibited adventure and unique imagination, the humour, the wondrous characters. I was attracted to this one because of reviews highlighting its comedy.
This is the story of Car, (Carmichael). He’s short and ginger and his one talent is his incredible ability with words. Car is king of sarcasm, one liners, the slickest of retorts, comedy that catches even his teachers unawares. But Car doesn’t have a filter and gets himself into deep water.
I enjoyed the comedy, his relationship with his friend Alex and the character of Carmichael but ultimately I felt that this is definitely the territory of children only. I also felt the story was so visual it might be better in a tv script!
With thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Finished reading #SomethingISaid by Ben Bailey Smith today & it is genuinely *really* funny. Car's voice is brilliant, the relationships are believable, love his friends & the way he enjoys words! Thanks @KidsBloomsbury for the proof, out in June (cover by @AleeshaNandhra) #UKMG https://t.co/W2xZ89VUUj

This is a triumph! A funny book which at its heart shouts out how important words are ( with some lexical explanations along the way)
13 year old Carmichael, the bane of his parents and teachers’ lives is entered into a school talent-contest as a stand-up comic but teenage angst and anger get in the way and Carmichael finds himself in a situation where he has to decide whether what he thinks he wants is really true .
I really enjoyed this face-paced story. The dialogue is witty ,the character is highly- believable and I loved the idea of” laughing whilst you are learning” as the reader is introduced to the meanings of certain words that occur naturally in the story. This would be a perfect read for middle-grade readers and a great book for a class discussion

Something I said was a decent read but it lacked a unique plot and the freshness I expected.

The story followed Car, a wannabe comedian who after a talent show at school is recruited by a world-famous TV show. He faces family and friendship issues and gets over his arrogance.

The plot, I felt, wasn't very unique as I've read many middle grade books with essentially the same storyline. I also didn't like Car even though he did get a character arch and came out as a better person in the end. He always felt a bit rude in a way that wasn't humourous especially to his dad. I didn't find Car very funny which is what the book is pitching. I didn't really root for any side characters either. The characters in this book just didn't appeal for me.

The writing was decent but the slang felt a bit corny. I expected a laugh out loud at each page but it didn't meet that. I found the humor mediocre.

Even though it has it's faults, I enjoyed reading Something I Said but it isn't something that would be very memorable for me.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc!

Car is good with words, loves joking around and manipulating words to make people laugh. His best friend Alex encourages him. Car’s Mum is strict and worried about his friendship with Alex and his relaxed approach to life. In conjunction with his English teacher she asks for something to stretch his talents and Car is persuaded to enter the school’s talent competition with a spoken word or rap poem, which Car eventually writes with the help of his favourite Uncle Lan.
But on the night of the contest, Car’s brother Malky, so often teasing him, does so with his own friends in front of the audience, winding up Car so he ditches his carefully prepared words and aims a very honest assault about how unfair life is with an older brother who teases, a Mother who is strict, a Father whose favourite is his brother and a school which imposes ridiculous rules. So funny to Car – and much of the audience, but less so to the grown ups and those Car specifically insults.
This too honest outpouring gets Car suspended because of the lack of respect all round.
But Alex had secretly recorded the performance, and egged on by Car, uploads it to social media where it receives enough coverage to come to the attention of school who impose an even stricter punishment.
The video also comes to the notice of the producers of The Missy Show in America who showcase children performing and who invite Car over to perform live. Car then has to convince his Mother that he should be allowed to go.
Only then can Car really appreciate the hurt he has caused to everyone around him.

What a great book! The children I know will absolutely love this story, mostly because the jokes in it are really funny! A good underlying theme too and enjoyable for adults as well! Loved it!