My Life of Crime by Fleur Beale

Anthony Lassiter is a mummy's boy. His mum does everything for him - takes his side in arguments, makes his bed, takes him to school, fusses over him all the time - all he has to do is whinge and sulk and she rushes in to help. All that changes though when his step sister calls him 'the most useless bit of dribble to inhabit this earth' and starts him thinking. This story is about how Anthony becomes Ant, how he deals with the bullies who've been making his life a misery, how he earns money and friends and, eventually how he is nearly killed by paua poachers at Red Rocks Wellington. I really enjoyed this - it's funny, easy to read and something is always happening.