The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull
Published April 2004
Part quirky journal, part detective fiction, this wild and witty novel is a laugh-out-loud comedy about two unlikely friends who are drawn into a dramatic series of events through their mutual mistrust of their new English teacher.
Description
I don't know you at all. I wouldn't recognise you from a hole in the ground.
If I was telling this story to some friends, then they would already know Kiffo and they would know me and they would know the school and everything.
I'd just be able to get straight into what happened when a new English teacher, the Pitbull, slobbered and snarled her way into our class.
But you don't know anything.
No offence.
An inspiring debut novel: simultaneously funny and wise. A +' Tony Wilson, Triple R Breakfasters
Awards
Special mention 2005: White Ravens Selection of International Children's and Youth Literature (Germany).
Shortlisted 2005: Children's Book Council Awards in the Older Readers category.
The Author Says
This was my very first book, so it holds a special place in my heart. Well, I say it’s my first book, but actually I wrote another before this.
It was called Nativity, a rambling sci-fi/fantasy novel aimed at 10-14 year olds. It was this novel that first brought me to the attention of Allen & Unwin, my publishers. They didn’t think the manuscript was good enough for publication, but liked the way I wrote. So they asked me to send them anything else I was writing.
As it happened, I was finishing a second book, that I called Kiffo and the Pitbull, which developed a minor character in Nativity. That character was Jaryd Kiffing, who eventually became the hero of The Whole Business With Kiffo and the Pitbull.
There was something very special about seeing my first published work. And it continues to be popular, here and abroad. In fact, Kiffo has been published in England, America, Canada, France, Germany, Poland and China. It has been shortlisted for awards both here and abroad and is taught in many schools around Australia.
It was great fun to write. But then again, all my books have been great fun to write!
Young Adults
Ironbark
A compelling novel about a powerful relationship between a troubled teenager and his grandfather, set in the Tasmanian Wilderness.
Younger Readers
Blacky Blasts Back: On the Tail of the Tassie Tiger
A third wacky adventure with Blacky the farting dog. Blacky's sending Marcus and Dylan to the Tasmanian wilderness on a mission. But between giant bully boys, unintelligible Scottish camp instructors and the need for thermal underwear - will they find the last remaining Tasmanian tiger?
Signed Copies
Looking for an ideal birthday or Christmas present? Why not a signed copy of one of Barry's books?
Barry will be very happy to personally sign a copy [with whatever message you wish] and send it to you or straight to the recipient of your gift. We can even gift-wrap it for you.
There is no extra cost for these services – in other words, you simply pay the recommended retail price of the book, plus postage.
