Big Boy: The Mean and Incredibly Nasty Camper

By Michelle Down

Steve knew Big Boy was a bully the minute he saw him, and the report from the other campers confirmed that he was one mean character. But Steve manages to crack the secret to his nasty behavior and through patience and kindness helps him to change.
A ‘shark’ attack, firecracker mayhem, adventures in the bush, a mysterious mycologist and a bunch of crazy boys all help to make this a wonderful story of fun and laughter.
Then there is Storz, the irascible groundsman, who pretends to hate kids, and Steve himself, with his impish sense of fun, who soon has the boys eating out of his hand.
Steve is a master storyteller, making the Bible stories he tells each night come alive with humour and extra details you never thought of.
Set in the Australian bush, children will love this story, which teaches solid Christian values in a fun and exciting way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Down
• Release date: Apr 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463940389

Book preview

1. Unit 6 arrives

BLASTED KIDS, STORZ roared as he shot past me. Ze bus will soon be here and zen we have nozing but trouble.

I grinned. Storz looked like a hairy gorilla as he stomped around in thick black boots, with an enormous silver buckle on his belt. It made him look fierce and scary and kids were terrified of him.

Aw, come on Storz, I said. "They’re not that bad. I love working here. Storz snorted and his black eyes glittered.

Pesky kids. Zere’ll be a million of zem for sure. Always salt my flowers and glamping ze trees. He waved his huge arms in disgust.

You mean they assault your flowers and climb the trees? That’s what you’re paid for Storz – to keep the place looking nice. That and keeping the grass cut. I laughed.

Pesky grass! he bellowed. Storz was not in a good mood. I go now. I leaving. I had enough, he said and stomped off.

Storz was always threatening to leave, but we didn’t take him seriously because he never did.

I smiled and walked out to meet the bus, clipboard in hand. I looked at my list. Yep, I was in charge of Unit 6. The boys tumbled off the bus and waited for their gear to be emptied from the luggage compartment.

Grab your scruffy bags and baggage, the bus driver bellowed as he dived into the bulging compartment and threw the cases onto the ground. They landed with a thud and the boys pounced, dodging warily as more bags were flung out.

Screaming kookaburras, the driver fumed. Cases all tumbled together. Luggage tied up in knots. Busted bags. Looks like a hurricane’s been through the bus and whirled everything together. How am I supposed to sort out this mess, huh?

Sounded like everyone was grumpy today. The driver barked at the boys until his bus was empty, and then thundered off, giving an irritated blast as he bounced up the road.

He must have had a baaad trip, I mused. He and Storz would make great company for each other today.

A group of boys clustered together, looking for their leader.

Unit 6, I called. This way.

The boys turned to look at me and then ambled over. A tall boy with deep blue eyes and wavy blonde hair shuffled in front, while the others straggled behind. A smaller boy, loaded down with a heavy case, accidentally bumped into him.

Get out of me way, Big Boy gave him a hard shove, nearly toppling him into the dirt. Then he turned and glared at me with sullen eyes, daring me to take him on.

I returned his gaze calmly. I had met bullies before.

You all from Unit 6? I asked.

Big Boy snorted and pointed to a label on his shirt. It said:

Brad Unit 6

The other boys had labels on their pockets too.

Can’t you read? Big Boy said rudely.

I can read, I answered. Just wanted to be sure you could.

The boys snickered and Big Boy glared at me.

G’day, I said. My name’s Steve, but everyone calls me Scuba. Grab your things and follow me. I’ve saved the best cabin on the campground for you. The beds are saggy, the mattresses are lumpy and watch out for the chairs – they’ll dump you on the floor. But it’s a great place to be. You can put up with anything for a few days off school, eh?

The boys chuckled and grabbed their belongings. Even Big Boy perked up as he threw his bag over his shoulder. They followed me to a rickety white cabin with a wide blue door. The door was scratched and scabby but the cabin was neat with long windows and clean wooden floors.

There were six double bunks inside and one single bed. I had exactly eleven boys in my group. I glanced at their names before stopping outside the door.

Here’s the deal, I said. You all get to choose your own bed, but so you don’t crush me in the rush I think I’ll put you in alphabetical order.

Cool, said a boy named Aaron. I get to choose first.

Not fair, Zac pouted. I’m always last.

I grinned. Did I say we would be starting with A?

2. Big Boy

THE BOYS LAUGHED AGAIN – but not Big Boy. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me. I guessed he had already plotted to grab the best bed in the house, and now his little plan was spoiled.

Today we will begin with Z, I announced.

Hold it, I commanded as the boys started to sort themselves out.

All except for Brad. The boys glanced at Big Boy and he looked at me.

Brad is taller than the rest of you and I reckon his feet will hang over the edge of a normal bed. I therefore decree that Brad shall have the single bed.

Big Boy stuck out his chest and strutted into the cabin, smirking at the others. The beds were probably all the same length, but I figured Big Boy just might be better on his own. The other boys were happy with the arrangement, and I soon had them choosing their favourite spot. Aaron was the last, but as promised, he could still choose between two beds.

Your choice, I said. Do you want the bottom white bunk, pointing to a bunk on the left, or the bottom white bunk? and I pointed to a bunk on the right.

Aaron snickered and chose the bunk closest to a window.

The boys fussed around as they spread out their sleeping bags, argued over the mattresses and shoved their bags under their beds. I shook my head as I looked at what some of the boys had with them.

Pillows, thick and thin;

Pyjamas, which I knew they would never wear;

Toys, that would soon be broken or lost;

Coats, (one with a fur collar for a summer camp, of all things)

Balls galore;

Sweets;

A clean white towel – and even a teddy bear.

What were their mothers thinking?

Big Boy finished his unpacking and sat on his bed. Hurry up, dimwits, he jeered. What’s taking you so long?

The boys ignored him.

You’ve got enough luggage to sink a Manly ferry, he scoffed. You nearly wrecked the bus with all this rubbish and now you’re filling the cabin with your junk.

He pointed an accusing finger at Aaron’s bag.

I hate red. And he gave the bag a vicious kick. Aaron grabbed his bag and tucked it under his bed. I saw him muttering to the other boys.

I hate him, he mouthed and the others nodded in sympathy. I wandered over and sat beside Big Boy. He was a good-looking kid with broad shoulders and a mass of blonde hair.

Have a good trip? I asked.

Bus driver was a moron, he huffed. He yelled at us all the way here. And he stopped at every red light, like he was scared of them or somethink.

I thought you were supposed to stop at red lights, I said, and stood up. Three boys were fighting over a shirt Toby had dropped.

Peter snatched it up.

Throw it here, quick, Scott yelled.

Now to me, Ben laughed.

Over here, Peter