Benny Shaw is the protagonist of two

children's literature Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader. Children's ...

novels by

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

author

Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer (; born 14 May 1965) is an Irish author of children's books. He worked as a primary school teacher before he became a full-time writer. He is best known for being the author of the ''Artemis Fowl'' series. In September 2008, Col ...

. The first book in the series, ''Benny and Omar'', sees Benny move from Ireland to

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

and befriend a local boy. The second book, ''Benny and Babe'', deals with Benny's holiday in Ireland and a friendship with a local girl.

''Benny and Omar''

Plot summary

An Irish boy named Benny, who is on an all-Ireland hurling team, journeys to Tunisia because of his father's new oversea job. He is determined to hate and find fault with the country and annoys everyone. Then he meets another boy called Omar. They develop a friendship through Omar's "telly-speak" English. Benny's father bans Benny from seeing Omar because he thinks that Omar is a bad influence and because Benny went off with Omar when he was supposed to look after his brother. Benny endures punishment for being with Omar, but that doesn't stop him from running away with him the second his parents trust him again in order to rescue Omar's drugged and hospitalized sister Kaheena. Benny is exposed to real life in Tunisia, actual pain and suffering bigger than losing a sports match, and realizes just how lucky he is after Omar drowns in a flood (although, this is, in fact, arguable, as the bracelet Benny gave to Omar was found on a tree).

''Benny and Babe''

This story takes place on Benny's summer holidays, which he spends with his grandfather in the country. "Babe" Meara is the village tomboy. Babe and Benny become partners and start a business finding lost lures and re-selling them. Benny refers to the people living in Duncade, the place where he is spending his holidays, as

culchie Culchie is a pejorative term in Hiberno-English for someone from rural Ireland. The term usually has a pejorative meaning directed by urban Irish against rural Irish, but since the late 20th century, the term has also been reclaimed by some who ar ...

s. Benny and the other culchies versed in hurling and Babe unexpectedly won. Benny and Babe's business seems to be going well until they meet Furty Howlin, an old friend back from reforming school and an unpleasant person to deal with. He tries to get Benny and Babe out of business. While trying to get to the Black Chan, something terribly wrong happens to Benny. He almost drowns but is saved by Jerry. The book ends with Babe coming over to Benny's house.. {{Portal , Children's literature Literary characters introduced in 1998