About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is processing the loss of a grandparent and needs a story that balances the ache of grief with the healing power of laughter. While technically a sequel, it stands alone as a heartfelt exploration of how we carry the legacies of those we love. The story follows Ben, who is still mourning his beloved Gangsta Granny, as he becomes embroiled in a new mystery involving her old persona, the Black Cat. It is a perfect choice for children who feel that their grief is too heavy, offering a zany, action-packed adventure that validates their sadness while proving that memory can be a source of joy. The humor is typical of David Walliams: irreverent, slightly crude, and very engaging for the 8 to 12 age range. It provides a safe space to discuss how a loved one can be 'gone' but still very much present in our lives through the adventures and secrets we shared.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The book opens with Ben's intense feelings of loss and loneliness, which may be poignant for a child who has recently lost a relative. There is a scene where Ben visits his grandmother's empty house that is particularly evocative of the silence of grief. 2. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss 'legacy' and how we remember people. There is also a plot point involving the appropriation of someone's identity, which could lead to a conversation about why it is hurtful to pretend to be someone else for personal gain.
Ideal Reader
An 8 to 10-year-old who loves silly humor and toilet jokes but is also dealing with the 'quiet' feeling of missing someone important.
Parent Prep
Read the first two chapters to gauge the emotional weight of the grief depiction; if your child is in a very raw stage of loss, you might want to read it together. A child expressing that 'nothing is fun anymore' because a specific person is gone.
Age Experience
Younger readers will focus on the funny names, the 'fart' jokes, and the thrill of the heist. Older readers (11+) will more likely resonate with Ben's internal conflict about moving on versus holding on.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about death that are purely somber, this uses 'heist movie' tropes and absurdity to make the topic of bereavement accessible and less intimidating.
Read plot summary
One year after the death of his grandmother, Ben is still struggling with his grief. When high-profile treasures like the Tutankhamun mask go missing, the clues point toward the 'Black Cat,' his late grandmother's secret identity. Ben must investigate if a ghost is committing crimes or if someone is tarnishing her memory, leading to a rooftop chase across London's landmarks.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ben feels like his parents don't understand how much he misses Granny. How do you think Ben could explain his feelings to them?
2
Why do you think the new 'Black Cat' chose to copy Granny's identity instead of making up their own?
3
If you had to keep a secret legacy like Granny's, who would you trust to tell?
4
How does Ben's memory of Granny change from the beginning of the book to the end?
5
What was the funniest part of the heist, and did the humor make the sad parts of the book easier to read?
