The book's protagonist is Michel, an eight-year-old Parisian boy. His
brother Martin, who's twelve, detests him, and he detests Martin right
back. This summer, Michel will go away alone, which really means without
his mom, to stay with his grandparents while his parents move
apartments. To add to the horror, Michel's older boy cousins will be
going, too. As Michel says, To put it simply, they are big, strong, and
pals with Martin. I am their scapegoat. Recounted by Michel himself, his
vacation doesn't turn out to be such a complete zero after all. Between
a competition to see who can shower the least, wild bike rides without
gear, and a tooth that finally falls out, Michel discovers both
independence and real moments of happiness.
The text is both very funny and moving, with good reason, for we see an
eight-year-old's vacation with his grandparents and older cousins
through his own eyes, with all of the little things that are important
to a boy of eight: the dumb things that he'll never tell his mom; the
small triumphs; the disregard and mocking of the older cousins; the
shame of having a bathing suit that slips off in the pool; the freedom
of being away from home; and the satisfaction of overcoming fears. As
always, Olivier Tallec's illustrations render all the emotions of our
little hero with an enormous amount of expressiveness, talent, and sheer
gorgeousness.