The Small Things by Lisa Thompson
Big Book Award 2022 shortlister:
Anna’s anxious when she’s picked to befriend the new girl in her class. For a start, Ellie is ill and can’t come to school herself. So Anna has to communicate with her through a new kind of robot. But Anna is also worried that her life’s too small and boring to be of interest to her new friend. Compared to the other girls, she doesn’t have anything exciting to talk about and so when Ellie asks her a question, a little white lie pops out. Then another and another. When Ellie finds out the truth, can their friendship survive …?
Published by Barrington Stoke
About the author
Lisa Thompson is a children’s novelist born in Essex, UK. Her debut novel, The Goldfish Boy, was published in 2017 and went on to become a bestseller. The Goldfish Boy (Bookfest Big Book Award 2018 Hot Contender) has been nominated for numerous awards including the Carnegie Medal, The Branford Boase Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and was given a starred review by Kirkus Reviews. A stage production of The Goldfish Boy was commissioned for a short run by the Oldham Theatre Workshop.
Lisa has gone on to write more best-selling novels, including The Light Jar, The Day I Was Erased and The Boy Who Fooled The World (Bookfest Schools’ Week 2021 workshop). Her novella, Owen and the Soldier, was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards.
78 responses to “The Small Things by Lisa Thompson”
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I think The Small Things is really fun and it makes you think how lucky you are to not be sick/ill. (;
After reading The Small Things it made me think about how important friends and honesty is. This book is the most heart-warming book that I have read! 😀
I loved reading The Small Things. I think this because I don’t usually like reading older children’s books as they take ages to read but I really enjoyed reading it as The Small Things because it was a quick and easy book to read. I’m glad Anna stopped lying to Ellie in the end.
This book is fantastic and it teaches a huge lesson not to lie to your family and friends I love books like this and I couldn’t stop reading it. I recommend it to all ages
I liked the book because Nia was really funny and enthusiastic and I like how Ellie communicates on a robot. I also liked how Ellie reacted and I love how Nia is so caring to Ellie . Anna is really timid and worries that she will say something stupid. I love the book overall but my favourite part was the school fair in the story.
The Small Things is a very interesting book and is vey descriptive. When I read it, I can imagine what it looks and feels like. Overall, it is a very good book and its one of my favourite Bookfest books! I personally think that this book will win !!
This book is good and could have a sequel and maybe a movie it makes me feel sad but also happy near the end but I thought someone would die but is good for all ages
The Small Things is a very interesting book and is vey descriptive. When I read it, I can imagine what it looks and feels like. Overall, it is a very good book and it’s one of my favourite Bookfest books !
It was not very interesting, easy read, good for younger children just not for me.
I didn’t really like this book because it was very simple and it wasn’t very exciting but it has a good moral.
Personally, I am not a big fan of “The Small Things” because it is good but I did not like how it kept repeating the same information, but I think most year 5 and year 6 would enjoy this book because it was easy to follow.
I think The Small Things is a good book because you don’t have to lie to have good friends. It has a good moral, and it is a short and easy book to read.
I enjoyed The Small Things a lot, it’s a story about friendship, being yourself and truth. From the very beginning it was a page-turner. The end also included good character development . All of the characters seemed very real as well. Over all I would recommend it if you want a short story about friendship. It also has a good moral.
I really enjoyed this book because it showed friendship and also a bit of lying but I am glad it ended well. I also really liked the characters although I felt bad for Ellie because she was not at school in person. I would recommend this to all my family and friends!
This book was marvellous. It had good illustration and amazing character description. I didn’t like it at first, but then I committed to it and I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it. The bit I loved the most is when they make friends and have a nice friendship. This is the main theme, friendship and being true to yourself. A great read for anyone.
This is an amazing book and the language is very easy. Anna is very caring and she’s an amazing character, I did feel very bad for Ellie-Bot though. It showed a lot about friendship! I would really recommend this book I couldn’t put it down. The main themes in this book are friendship, truth and being yourself. I loved it!
I like the fact that you hid a secret message, you don’t have to lie about your life if you think it isn’t interesting, if you tell the truth more people will like you’. I love your book and the way you set it out. Thank you for listening to my comment
Amazing book! Exquisite features and is a very calm book. One thing that is very sad is that they replaced Ellie with Ellie-bot. Overall, a amazing masterpiece that I really really enjoyed.
I really enjoyed this book. It was based on friendship character and it teaches us a really good moral on how lying is not always the key. Also, my favourite character is Ellie-bot as she is really nice, strong and independent. The book is quite small but its has really good quality just like they say:
“Quality Over Quantity.”
I think that The Small Things is amazing because it is about some one being ashamed of themselves for thinking that they are not interesting and every body else is. I recommend the book to someone that likes book about cliff-hangers.
I liked The Small Things because it speaks about feelings it was very short and I wish it would be longer and my favourite character is Henry.
I loved this book I like why named you named the book The Small Things and I think you should make a second book. keep up the good work! 😀
I really like this book because it shows you don’t need to lie to get friends and if you’re honest you can end up with more friends.
I really liked The Small Things, but it was very short and I wish it could have been longer. I found it really easy to imagine, and the characters were really believable. I really like how it was a really easy and quick read.
I like The Small Things because it’s a quick read and it doesn’t have that many difficult words.
I like THE SMALL THINGS because anyone can pick up this book and understand it. It is an amazing book and you don’t know what happens in it until the end.
I liked The Small Things because it teaches a lesson of not to lie when you think you’re boring -when you are actually not. I rate it 3 stars.
The Small Things is so cool when Ellie-bot was talking through the robot, Anna should not hurt her feelings and should be kind to Ellie. The ending is so happy and kind and helpful.
I liked The Small Things ,it was a good because it had a deep meaning even though it was small. Sometimes I feel like I’m on the edge of my friend group so I wanted to see how she dealt with it so I kept reading and reading and then I got the end.
I really like The Small Things because it is so interesting. I like how It has loads of downs, like when she let every thing out in the car. I really like this book.
I really like this book because it is easy going. I didn’t want to stop reading when I started and the book is a short book but so easy to get into. I like the book.
I really enjoyed The Small Things because it looks like a small book but it gets better and better throughout the book, and if you want a quick read this book is the one.
I recommend this book because it is full of twists and the ending is brilliant
I really liked the book because I liked when Anna acted like she had the best life ever but really she did not.
I really like this book because it is easy going. I didn’t want to stop reading when I started and the book is a short book but so easy to get into.
The Small Things– I think The Small Things was very good and interesting. My favourite part is when Ellie comes into school to see Anna.
I didn’t really liked this book because it was really simple and it wasn’t very exciting.
The Small Things is one of the best short listed books because it is short but it brings me a lot of joy and it is exciting.
I loved The Small Things (not because it was small book) because it was really exciting and I always wanted to read more.
I don’t really like The Small Things that much it’s not my type of book but I love the story and how Anna met Ellie at the end.
I really like this book. It is quite simple, but still has a deep meaning. Even if the book seems thin, it’s not what you would call a short book. You could read bit to bit, and then want to read more: I consider this book very addictive, and one of the best books I’ve read. In conclusion, I definitely recommend this masterpiece to many other children.
The Small Things – A good book, exciting and sad.
This book is incredible, it’s full of awkward moments and lots of meaning . The meaning in this book shows how everyone is different and how lots of people do different activities and some just chill at home and do nothing. This book also shows different levels of of money but doesn’t say Nia was rich and Anna was poor it expresses it by saying shopping for discounts in the afternoon and Nia went skiing in the Alps and went indoor skiing. This book is amazing.
It is clever because even if you can not see someone you do not lie.You may want your life to seem interesting .
I really like this book because there is a robot and I find it interesting how that a girl can talk through the robot which is so fascinating.
I love this book because it has lots of lovely people in it .Even though Anna lies to Ellie they still make up.
The Small Things is one in a million and I thought it was amazingly good. My favourite character is Anna because she is brave and resilient. I feel sad for Nia and I like Ellie-bot a lot.
The Small Things is a brilliant book. It teaches you that if your not as wealthy as other people doesn’t mean that you can’t do the things that you love. Even though, its very short it’s detailed.
The Small Things was an incredible book to read. The characters are funny and even though some of the girls are more wealthy that didn’t make them mean or spoilt. It proves just because you might not have as much money as someone still means you can do fun thing. And the way they incorporated a great moral but still kept the storyline was great.
Have fun reading😊👌😎
I love The Small Things book because it is very adventurous and some parts of it are a bit emotional because one of the characters was really sick.
I think that The Small Things is outstanding. The story made me feel a bit sad because I had an emotional connection to Anna. It has a marvellous meaning. Amazing.
This book wasn’t my style I didn’t like it that much.
This book is actually one of my most favourite books that I have read. Many people probably wouldn’t have read it since it was a very short book and didn’t look very exciting but I only spent about 15 minutes on reading this book and indeed it was really good. I love how it shows the good and bad in things. My favourite character is Ellie because even though she is home schooled she is still funny and bouncy and does so many things like baking and reading. And by the way the ending isn’t what you may think 🙂
I did enjoy reading this book and I thought that it was very relatable story about how one lie turns into a terrible whirlwind of lies I feel very sorry for Ellie. I do have one question that I say is the only downside and that is what is Ellie’s illness but all in all it was VERY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t really like it because it was a bit too short and it was too easy to read. Also it was not very nice because people would ignore Anna and wouldn’t play with her.
I found The Small Things a really great story. I thought that the illustrations were also a big part of the story too. I think it’s one of those books that you just can’t stop reading!
I really enjoyed this book because it is really easy to read – I read it in one night – and still really interesting to hear what some people have no choice to do and feel they are so small compared to other people. It is such a shame how Ellie can’t see her friends for so long in person. I just wished it told us the illness. I loved the pictures too, how even though they are simple, they tell a big part in the story. I would really recommend this book. Thank you.
I think The Small Things is a really good book because you can read it really quickly and I love the robot Ellie-bot because of all the actions she can do. The end is a really happy ending. It also tells you that you shouldn’t lie in life because it ends badly and you should always tell the truth. It’s a shame that Ellie hasn’t seen any real people except her mum and dad for about a year. Also it is a really good book.
This book is amazing! Although it is just a small book it is really detailed and very easy to follow. It is simple but has a good moral. Hope other people enjoy reading this book since it is in interesting.
Happy reading 🙂
I loved this book other people might not like it but I sure did. My favourite character was Elliebot -what a brilliant idea! The book got a lot better from the start to the end. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it to others!!
I really enjoyed this book because it changed a lot in between chapters. An example: I didn’t expect it when Anna’s lies got out and Ellie found out. I recommend this to anyone
I really enjoyed this book because l like how the Ellie’s bots friends are always standing up for each other and it is a really inspiring story.
I enjoyed The Small Things. It was easy to follow but I feel like it lacked some detail which could have made it a bit longer. It has a good moral and I feel like it will teach readers emotions to lie even if the reader does not think of the self as ‘cool’.
Happy reading everyone!
I recommend ‘The small Things’ because it shows about what Anna’s (the main character) school life is about.
I have not finished this book yet but I am loving it so far. I definitely recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this story.
I absolutely loved this book it has a lovely moral to it.
I know it loved it too.
This book is really good
We didn’t really enjoy this book although the twist was good and I can imagine many other children would enjoy this.
I don’t care if it’s short, I liked the plot and it’s a good ending.
Small Things is very good books and a lot of twists. I hope other people love it
Small Things is good book but I did not like how it kept repeating.
We really enjoyed reading this book and we also loved the layout. Would definitely recommend it.
I loved the concept of this story. It was like no other, however, I did think it could use a bit more detail 🙂
I would recommend this book to all my friends because the plot is amazing and the ending is brilliant
It’s about friendship and betrayal because Anna makes friends with a robot but she then tells it lots of lies
The characters are actually believable and for a book writer to achieve this, which is hard it did feel like they were real.