Released September 2008 (Walker Books Australia)

http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Boofheads-9781921150678

What is the book about?

Boofheads is a story about three seventeen year-old mates who have been friends since pre-school but whose friendship begins to change when they go into Year Eleven. Eventually they have to make a decision whether to accept the changes and reassess the nature of friendship, or cut their losses and run.

Where did the idea come from?

When my son, Paddy was three he went to pre-school and met twin brothers Ben and Ollie O’Neill. They are now 11 and have been inseparable ever since. Paddy is an only child and is so close to Ben and Olls that they fight like brothers. I have often wondered if their friendship will last when they become teenagers but didn’t think about writing Boofheads until 2002.

By then I was working as a Year Coordinator at De La Salle College, Caringbah in Sydney’s south. At that time my path crossed that of three particular boys who were ALWAYS in trouble. They became my best customers that year and also, for some crazy reason, three of the best kids I’ve ever taught.

Like Paddy and his little mates, they always seemed pretty tight.
Teaching is a funny profession at times. Ex students will remember me from years back but often I won’t remember them straight away. Weirdly enough, this can be especially true of the kids whom I admired when they were at school because they tried hard to treat people with respect. Sometimes I’ve got to ask their names before I can place them.
Remembering the rogues is usually not a problem for me. When they leave, they seem to grab a sunlounge by my memory pool and show their faces every now and then to order drinks.

The last time three such rogues did, I wrote Boofheads.

Who were those guys?

Ah, my lips are sealed but let me say this, if you are a De La Boy, someone like you will pretty much figure somewhere in one of my stories eventually.

Why did you write Boofheads?

I wanted to give boys a book that dealt with issues that were familiar to them and to explore the idea of mateship from a contemporary teenage male point of view, using their language. (Not that I approve of it!!!!!!)
Most of all, I wanted to celebrate the insuppressible bravado and humour that is such an inherent part of the psyche of most of the boys I have taught … and the people I am lucky enough to call my friends.

Are you happy with the result?

Definitely. My publisherWalker Books Australia has been brilliant to work with. My editor, Sue Whiting was a patient and inspiring teacher and I am grateful that she absolutely supported a book, which ended up dealing with some pretty confronting topics such as underage drinking, homosexuality, drug use etc…
I never set out to write a theme-based story, I just listened to the characters and wrote what they wanted me to say.

Extract from Boofheads

1
Change tiptoed into our lives with her eyes down, like a shy chick coming late to class. We checked her out as you do and found nothing there worth bothering about. Too many other hot girls were standing in line and Casey, Ed and I had our hands full. If we’d deemed her worthy of a second glance we might have noticed the ruthless determination in her eyes. We may even have asked what she had planned for us, but we ignored her and that was our biggest mistake.
Not that she cared. She just went right on doing her thing. We didn’t even see it coming, especially not on the day that Ed stood over me, his tanned shoulders blocking out the light.
“You played like a girl out there, Tommo.” He scowled.
I eyed him steadily. Don’t break the stare. Never break the stare. Casey joined him. Between them they had my escape route covered.
“Didn’t he, Casey? Didn’t he play like a chick?”
Casey moved in closer. “Yeah,” he taunted, his towel hovering above my bare thigh.
I knew what he was about to do and so did Ed. As Casey held the towel taut with both hands, Ed lunged at me, pinning me down. In an instant, a flash of white cotton snapped at my flesh, stinging viciously. I struggled hard against Ed as Casey raised his hands again.
“Like a big …”
Swipe.
“Fat …”
Swipe.
“Chick!”
Casey poised himself for another attack but I managed to break free in time to catch the towel before it landed.
“Well you’d be the expert on big fat chicks, Casey. How many kilos did your girlfriend pile on last week?” I hissed, yanking the towel from his grip as I stood up.
“Lena’s not fat,” he protested.
“Face it, mate,” I shoved him out my way. “We’re talking bush pig.”
“It’s comfort eating,” Ed said. “Going out with Casey’s depressing her.”
“You’re supposed to be on my side right now, Ed,” Casey reminded him.
“The Edster takes no sides,” Ed announced.

For more about Boofheads check out:

http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Boofheads-9781921150678