Adrian's Diary: A Teenager's Struggles and Discoveries

What are New Year's resolutions?

New Year's resolutions are a person's (good) intentions for the coming year.

Why does Adrian think that his spot is growing?

Adrian thinks that his spot is growing because his mother doesn't know about vitamins.

When the dog has the operation, what does the vet find? Why?

The vet finds many things in the dog's stomach. There were even plastic pirates from Adrian's father's model ship. The dog had eaten these things.

Exactly how old is Adrian at the beginning of his diary?

Adrian is 133/4 years old at the beginning of his diary.

Why did Adrian think Nigel was being polite when he told him that he was going to the doctor?

Adrian thought that Nigel was being polite because Nigel said he couldn't see Adrian's spot.

Why did Adrian decide to go and see a private doctor?

Adrian decided to go and see a private doctor because the doctor who Adrian went to first didn't examine Adrian's spot.

Adrian took some comic books to a 'poor family'. Why did he think they were poor?

Adrian thought that the family were poor because they only had a black-and-white TV (not a colour one).

Why did Adrian think he would probably be a teenage criminal out on the streets?

He thought he would be a teenage criminal because his mother was looking for a job. (He thought she would be too busy to look after him.)

Why does Adrian have to visit a man called Bert Baxter?

Adrian is in a group at school that helps old people. Adrian is given Bert Baxter to help.

Where did Adrian's mother get a job?

Adrian's mother got a job at the place where Mr Lucas worked.

Why is Adrian angry with Nigel?

Adrian is angry because Nigel started going out with Pandora even though Nigel knew Adrian loved her.

Adrian says that his father is cross because Mr Lucas doesn't want to see him. What do you think the real reason is?

The real reason is probably that Adrian's father is jealous. Adrian's mother is looking after Mr Lucas when she finishes work and has got no time to look after Adrian and his father.

Why does Mr Lucas stay with Adrian's family?

Mr Lucas stays with Adrian's family because his wife has taken all the furniture from his home.

Why does Adrian wish he knew karate?

Adrian wishes he knew karate so that he could protect himself from Barry Kent.

What happened when Adrian's father went fishing? What happened when he arrived home?

When Adrian's father went fishing, Mr Lucas came for dinner and ate three pieces of Adrian's father's favourite cake. There was no cake left for Adrian's father. When Adrian's father arrived home, he was hungry. His wife made him a cheese sandwich. Adrian's father threw the cheese sandwich at the wall. He said that he wasn't a mouse, he was a man. Adrian's mother cried.

Where does Pandora live? How does Adrian find this out?

Pandora lives on Elm Tree Avenue. Adrian finds this out when he sees her coming out of her house while he is delivering newspapers on her street.

How did Adrian find out his parents were separating?

Adrian found out that his parents were separating when he heard his father talking to his grandma.

How did Adrian's grandmother feel about his parents' divorce?

Adrian's grandmother was quite happy that his parents were getting a divorce.

Why did Adrian hide his father's shaving razor?

Adrian hid his father's shaving razor because he thought that his father was suicidal.

What did Adrian think after his weekend with Nigel?

After his weekend with Nigel, Adrian thought that he had been living in poverty for 14 years. He thought that he lived in a horrible house, ate terrible food and didn't get enough pocket money. He thought that his father would have to look for a better job (so he could buy everything Adrian wanted).