Gangsta Granny Review - David Walliams

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams is a humorous, adventurous, and surprisingly emotional story that is perfect for readers aged 8–12. The book combines comedy, mystery, and an important life lesson about family and understanding others.

The story follows a young boy named Ben, who dreads staying at his grandmother’s house every Friday night. He finds her incredibly boring because she serves cabbage-based meals, plays Scrabble, and seems to have no excitement in her life at all. Ben would much rather stay at home watching his favourite TV show about dancing. However, everything changes when Ben accidentally discovers a hidden box filled with jewels in his granny’s house. This shocking discovery leads to an even bigger surprise—his granny used to be an international jewel thief!

From that moment on, the story turns into a fast-paced adventure. Granny reveals her thrilling past, and together she and Ben come up with an outrageous plan: to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. The planning and execution of this heist are filled with funny moments, clever ideas, and plenty of unexpected twists. One particularly memorable part of the story is their encounter with the Queen, which adds both humour and excitement.

David Walliams uses a very engaging and easy-to-read writing style that makes the book accessible even for less confident readers. His use of exaggeration, repetition, and silly jokes—especially all the cabbage-related humour—keeps the story entertaining throughout. At the same time, the illustrations by Tony Ross add extra fun and help bring the characters and scenes to life.

One of the strongest aspects of Gangsta Granny is its characters. Ben is relatable, especially for children who sometimes feel bored or misunderstood. His granny, however, is the standout character. She transforms from what seems like a dull old woman into a bold, daring, and deeply caring person. This change challenges both Ben and the reader to rethink their assumptions about older people.

Another important strength of the book is its message. Beneath all the comedy and adventure, the story explores themes such as family relationships, loneliness, and the importance of appreciating loved ones while they are still around. As the story progresses, it becomes more emotional, particularly towards the ending, which may surprise readers. The book shows that people are often more interesting and complex than they first appear, and it encourages readers not to judge others too quickly.

Overall, Gangsta Granny is a fantastic mix of humour, adventure, and heartfelt moments. It is very entertaining but also meaningful, which makes it stand out from many other books in this age group. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys funny stories with a bit of action and a strong emotional core. It is a book that can make you laugh out loud one moment and feel deeply moved the next.