Dublin, by Terry Deary

Part of the Horrible Histories series, Dublin by Terry Deary is a real blast that combines history and totally irreverent observations in a way to delight any reader and, most of all, teenagers recovering from a year of history lessons. Adding to the delights of the book are cartoons that are genuinely funny.

The book starts with a history of Molly Malone and the possibility that that her bones were scattered all over St John's Lane when Dublin City Council built new offices! From there we go through the early Dublin timeline to the 'Nasty 1916 rebellion', very factual, very tongue-in-cheek, to the epilogue with the following information: "The largest cake ever built in Dublin weighed a monster 87kg. It was made for Dublin's 1000th birthday in 1988. The cake stood in the Mansion House until 1991 when the mouldy remains were thrown out. No one ate it."

On the death of Brian Boru at the hands of Viking leader, Brodir: 'With one stroke the King chopped through the legs of the Viking. At the same time the battle-axe of Brodir fell on the King's head.' Horrible Histories warning: "DO NOT try this at home to see if it can be done! Go to school and get a couple of history teachers to try it."

NO LAUGHING AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS, PLEASE!

Dublin, by Terry Deary. Cover by Martin Brown. Illustrated by Mike Philips. Scholastic €6.99. Ages 10 plus