The Midnight Gang audiobook

I've read each one of David Walliams' novels for children, and this is now probably in my top three (after Boy in the Dress and Billionaire Boy).Walliams sets his tale (almost) entirely within the confines of a hospital, one with shortages and cut-backs, and the children's equivalent of Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.It feels a little like Matilda, which I'm sure the author would be happy to hear, and is just full of heart. He concentrates more on story in this and his last book, and lets his natural humour take the reigns, ditching the over-the-top jokes that made Ratburger and Awful Auntie more forced.Tom is our protagonist, brought disoriented into Lord Funt Hospital after a nasty bang to the head by a cricket ball at his boarding school. After meeting a naive doctor and s a scary-looking porter, he ends up on the children's ward with a collection of long-term residents, some in plaster, some very ill. But he soon notices there is something strange going on. The children sneak out from the ward at night, past the controlling and Trunchbull-like Matron. Just where are they going? What are they doing? And what is the... Midnight Gang??One of the simplest stories Walliams has come up with, it's also one of the more effective. A simple us-vs-them story, much like Matilda, it encompasses some powerful themes.Tom is the best-characterised of the children, the others in the ward are fairly sketchily drawn, apart from Sally (whose poor health means she is stuck in bed when the others sneak out). Tom hates his school and misses the parents he feels don't love him or want him around. None of the children in fact seem to have family to visit, hence their bonding together as a unit.They do find a father-figure of sorts though, one who incites prejudice of his own and has his own sad backstory, and gives the reader something to think about on judging by appearances. The Midnight Gang itself is lovely, an inspired if not altogether unique idea, but it is what it means that is really wonderful - at the heart of the book is the idea of doing things for others, being there for your friends, a message embedded nicely by Walliams throughout the story.In case anyone is wondering about my old favourite Raj, yes, even Raj has got himself into the story as usual, as a patient who is decidedly not happy with the hospital food! Though the dinner lady Tootsie, could be straight out of a Walliams TV sketch, most amusing scenes.And the author also manages to get a little dig aimed at Britain's Got Talent in there, mentioning TV talent shows. And a very funny sequence ending up with a Twit-like balloon scene (can't wait to see THAT one aired on Christmas Day, David?!).It is one of Walliams' longer books, but I think readers will find the short chapter, plentiful Ross illustrations and lots of font changes and text-sparse pages mean it races by. It would also make a good class read in KS2 and KS3 schools, especially with its themes and messages. There's a truly ghastly Headteacher to hate as well as the Matron, and Tom is a very appealing hero.I was quite moved in the concluding chapters as it all comes together for Tom and his new friends, and really enjoyed the constant gentle humour and simple story.Brave, David - I hope this does well. It will be a lovely Christmas Dad adaptation as well. Will you be playing Tootsie this time?Suitable for over 7s (and I might read it aloud to my 5 year old!).

I thought this book was amazing because I love David Walliams. The book is about a boy called Tom and he goes to hospital because he got hit on the head. I am not going to tell you anymore information about this book because I will spoil it.

The Midnight Gang is a fun romp about child patients stuck in a decrepit London hospital called the Lord Funt Hospital. Protagonist Tom, from a horrible school for wealthy boys is taken there after getting hit in the head with a ball during a cricket match. His ward mates Amber (broken arms and legs), George (eating disorder), Robin (temporarily? blind from eye operation), Sally (serious cancer illness), all subject to a despicable matron. As Big Ben tolls 12, all but Sally head off on various adventures, assisted by the Porter, who has lived at Lord Funt since being abandoned as a misshapen infant by his Mum. The adventures are realizations of the children's dreams. It's a wonderful story about camaraderie, love and friendship, with illustrations galore: kind of like a Roald Dahl book. Highly recommended.P.S. Thanks to GR friend, Almira!!

What a wonderful journey!I had a fantastic time reading and listening to this book. Very well written and wonderfully narrated by the author. I laughed my guts out a lot through out the book. The midnight gang will be on my children nightstand for Avery long time because and that's what make it a great children book.For instance, this book tells us not to judge people by their looks or where they from but to judge them by their personality and actions.Also not to lie, and not to hate people because they are mean.It gives hope that tomorrow will be better and no matter how much life can be sometimes, the sun will rise again and wash away your sadness.I am absolutely positive that I will read another books written by David Williams and love them as well.I highly recommend this book the audio is very hilarious and light hearted and also have a look at the book as well.Here are some lovely lines for youWe'll find a way, don't you worry, we always do. All it takes is imagination.- that lady has a darkness in her heart, she enjoys making children in her care suffer.- But, why?- she loves being cruel. It must made her feel powerful. That's why she made you wear that night gawn.- I hate her!-Don't! That's what she wants. If you hate her, your heart will turn dark and she will win.Try not to let her.- I'll try.Home is where the heart is.Children pulley only when they themselves were unhappy. They want to take their unhappiness to others..

Probably the best book he's written up to now!!!I loved it so much! The idea, the characters, all the fun. It was absolutely stunning! David should be a national hero 💞

OMG! This was the sweetest, cutest little book ever. I am now proud to say that I am a David Walliams fan! Just as I am a Roald Dahl fan. First of all, if you love Roald Dahl, you NEED this book in your life. But this book was over and above what I had expected it to be. I went into it thinking that this was going to be a nice middle grader-ish story that i can enjoy. But, the beautiful things that David Walliams teaches you through the course of this book is the best! I loved all the little children and by the end of the book I started to fall in love with them and wished them all the best in their lives (just like how you feel after reading a series of unfortunate events) . I wanted to hug those little kids and wish all their problems away! I loved the porter and completely felt heart-wrenched when i found out who he was. I loooooved the midnight gang and what they do. It is just the perfect book for any middle grader and teaches them how life can be mean but how you can deal with it with a smile!Looooooooooooved this book! Going to read MOOOOOOOOOORE David Walliams this year for sure!Go READ it now!

Another 5 star book from David Walliams, a heartwarming tale set in the hospital children's ward, where the Midnight Gang make dreams come true. Humour and laughs aplenty but as with all David Walliams books there are positive themes within the book that are easily accessible to children.

A big thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for an ARC of this humorous middle grade book.Readers find this romp through a 44-floor hospital to be reminiscent of books by Roald Dahl and Shel Silverstein. The story begins with Tom ending up in the hospital after getting hit on the head by a cricket ball. He is sent up to the Children's Ward and the fun begins. At midnight most of the children sneak out and fulfill a dream each night for one of their fellow residents. Surprises and hilarity abound as they improvise to make these dreams come true. In the end we see the children putting others ahead of themselves and learning how to work together. Recommended.

Tom goes to hospital because a cricket ball hit his head. On the children's ward there was a grumpy and mean matron who doesn't like any fun and makes fun of the children. The rest of the kids invent something called the midnight gang where they make the children in the midnight gang's dreams come true. It doesn't always go down very well.I liked this book because it is funny and adventurous. It has some really good illustrations and the words change sizes which makes it more fun to read.

The Midnight GangThe Midnight Gang is a thrilling story about 5 children stuck in a miserable hospital called the Lord Funt hospital. Main characters are Porter, Tom, Amber, George, Robin, Sally and the despicable matron. It all starts with a boy at a school when he's playing cricket and gets an injury. The Midnight Gang springs into action when everyone else is asleep. At midnight they sneak out of the children's ward and make their dreams become reality. This is a great book because it has got suspense, action and a thrilling story line. I would personally rate this book 9/10 so if you're looking for a book with plenty of exciting action I recommend this book.

I loved this book. Set in a hospital on the 44th floor with a gang of children who are all part of a midnight gang where dreams come true. What a ending.

An enjoyable return to form, would recommend xx

** spoiler alert ** I think this book was very funny and relatable. David Williams has really maintained his level of humour and writing strategies.

I really liked this book because the author writes nicely.

och wat schrijft David Walliams toch fijne kinderboeken. deze verraste me echt tot en met. ik had steeds geen idee welke wending het verhaal zou nemen, en toch was het nooit vergezocht. ontroerend, grappig, leerzaam en spannend: David Walliams op zijn best.