In the Millions, I believe that Frank Cottrell Boyce has created something very interesting, witty, and funny. The book is written following the main character, Saint-obsessed Damian, and his quick-witted brother, Anthony. Damian is a very different boy who has a lot of respect for his father and has high intelligence for his age, but not much commonsense! The book is about the boys' finding a sack full of money in their garden, and trying to spend it all without their dad knowing, and before the British Pound is converted to the Euro, which is set to happen on the 17th of December, which means they have seventeen days to spend it.

As the story goes on, it just gets better. A bit of a dull start, but as soon as they find the money, the scenes become very interesting, and the book becomes extremely readable and fun. Even though there are frequent mentions of the word millions, they don't even find one million, instead finding only 229,370 pounds. Because of this, I'm not really sure the title is appropriate.

The cover is nice and blue, with an interesting picture: readers will want to discover why a boy is standing next to a wooden donkey. As Millions is soon to become a film, I recommend reading the book first because when a book is made into a film, the book is generally better. This particular book is advertising the new film with eight pages in the middle of full colour snaps of the film. To be honest, it looks quite good and I want to see it.

''On Friday I asked you to give up your change and you responded generously. Very generously. But one person gave a big donation. A worryingly big donation, to be honest. And we just need to know where that donation came from, so that we know it's ... well ... legal really. So if the person who made that donation could come forward, that would be great.'
I really was about to put my hand up and say, 'It was me,' when Tricia jumped out of her seat and said it was her. Mr James looked at her.
'How much did you put in, Tricia, if you don't mind me asking?'
'I put ten pounds in.'
'Well,' said the smart lady, 'that was very kind, but...'
Mr James butted in. 'Where did you get ten pounds, Tricia?'
She turned her head to towards me just a little bit as she said 'I sold something, sir, and then when the lady told us about the water, I just wanted to do something. Sorry sir ...'
'Don't be silly. What you did was excellent. Really. Well done.'
She never mentioned that what she'd sold was a drawing of two horses with some mountains in the background and no saddles for 100 pounds."

As you read on, you will love it more and more, and you eventually find out everything you need to know about the money, and it is nicely rounded off, maybe a little to abruptly. Overall I really like this book and think it is tremendous.

If you want a nice, sometimes ironic, often factual, light-hearted story about a spending spree, it is the best you will find. 8.5 out of ten at least!