AustLit

'Stuff Happens. Real-life stories for boys. Suitable for beginner and newly confident readers.

'Stuff happens sometimes. Everyday stuff. At school, at home, with sport, with mates.

'For Harry it happened in art class.

'All Harry wants is to fly through Monvale Primary under the radar. He doesn't want to be like Jack. Playing football on the oval only leads to cheering crowds. He doesn't want to be like Ethan, because after that advertisement he showed at assembly he's got more friends now than he ever did. He especially doesn't want to be like Fadi, who decided to dance in the quiet time quad one day and now has an entire school of adoring fans. Harry's done the math and come to a conclusion: to be good at something means attention – and in Harry's case, that attention is more than unwanted.

'During an excursion to an art gallery, Harry and his friend Cooper are amongst the many students in Mr. Slater's art class that are unenthusiastic about the excursion. If nobody else cares about it, Harry doesn't see a reason to either. That is, until he sees a certain painting. Amongst the splotches of colourful paint, Harry imagines Cosmic Samurai, an awesome made-up space ranger who blasts away evil green aliens with a sweet laser gun.

'Harry is inspired to paint him. Will he listen to Mr Slater and display his art for all to see? Standing out from the crowd isn't about all the attention that comes with it. It's about enjoying what you do, and being yourself. Can Harry see that for himself?' (Publication summary)