A bestselling modern classic—both poignant and funny—narrated by a fifteen year old autistic savant obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, this dazzling novel weaves together an old-fashioned mystery, a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a fascinating excursion into a mind incapable of processing emotions. Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. At fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbour’s dog Wellington impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing. Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer, and turns to his favourite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As Christopher tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, the narrative draws readers into the workings of Christopher’s mind. And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotions. The effect is dazzling, making for one of the freshest debut in years: a comedy, a tearjerker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read.

Teach English worldwide with this practical introduction to the field. Specially designed for those thinking about teaching English, planning to take a TESOL training course, or just starting work in a language school, this user-friendly resource adds a bundle of enjoyment to the process. The 21 chapters cover all the essentials, including answers to basic questions about language teaching; how to manage your classroom, plan lessons, and use textbooks ; methods and ideas for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing; understanding of basic grammar verb forms; a wealth of knowledge and activities for using visual aids, games, drama, and songs; awareness of pronunciation and the International Phonetic Alphabet; suggestions on correcting errors and testing; and a reference section featuring a first lesson plan and a placement test. Each unit features tasks for the reader and wraps up with review questions and a Further Reading list. This is a basic "must" to pack in your suitecase as you prepare to teach.