There's something different about the new headteacher. Priya Mehta is going to find out what.

When Mr. Badger arrives at Sycamore Lane Primary School on a Monday in September, ten-year-old Priya notices three things immediately: he predicts the rain to the exact minute, his shoes are spotless on a muddy morning, and his nose moves in a way that isn't quite human. She opens her green notebook and begins THE INVESTIGATION—DAY ONE.

Over the course of one extraordinary autumn term, Priya and her best friends Oscar and Nell collect evidence, argue about options (wizard? robot? something else entirely?), and gradually discover that their new headteacher is not only remarkable—he is genuinely, quietly good at his job in ways that no ordinary headteacher could be. He knows where the badger setts are before anyone mentions them. He tells a fox to leave the playground and it leaves. He sits with a struggling child at exactly the right distance and stays exactly long enough.

But when a planning application threatens the ancient woodland behind the school, the investigation becomes something larger—a question not just of what Mr. Badger is, but of what three observant children can do with what they know.

Something Funny About Mr. Badger is a warm, funny, and deeply felt novel about paying attention, keeping secrets worth keeping, and the quiet courage of doing the right thing through the right channels. Perfect for anyone who has ever suspected their teacher might be slightly more than they appeared.

For readers aged 8–12. Standalone novel.