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My Name is Mackenzie Bly
  • Published: 27 September 2026
  • ISBN: 9781529962987
  • Imprint: Doubleday
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $45.00

My Name is Mackenzie Bly

Formats & editions
Hardback
27 Sept 2026
EBook
27 Aug 2026
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A modern-day Adrian Mole about negotiating life today while struggling with the innate difficulty of being a teenage boy, from the inimitable Lissa Evans.

I am fourteen years old and I’m called MacKenzie Bly. It’s a good name, isn’t it? Unfortunately, I just made it up, I’m actually called Philip Stephens which, if there was ever a competition for the world’s most boring name, would be a clear winner. ‘We didn’t want to call you something that would mean you’d get teased’ is what Mum B says.

But given that I’m the size of a vending machine, hate sport, live with my Mums, one of whom teaches biology at my school, and don’t live with my Dad who plays air guitar, has ginger plaits down to his waist and writes random notes on Rizlas instead of using a diary, they might as well have called me ‘Fattus Butticus’ for all the difference it would have made….

Oh, and my best friend Sy has just moved to New Zealand.

Life is terrible.

I hope you enjoy reading this.
  • Published: 27 September 2026
  • ISBN: 9781529962987
  • Imprint: Doubleday
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $45.00
Categories:

About the author

Lissa Evans

Following a career in radio and TV comedy, Lissa Evans has gone on to write seven novels, including the bestselling Old Baggage, Their Finest Hour and a Half (filmed as Their Finest) and Small Bomb at Dimperley. Two of her books for children, Small Change for Stuart and Wed Wabbit, were shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Her non-fiction book about producing Father Ted is called Picnic on Craggy Island.
portrait photo of Lissa Evans

Also by Lissa Evans

Picnic on Craggy Island
Small Bomb At Dimperley
V for Victory
Old Baggage
Odd One Out
Spencer's List
Crooked Heart
See all

Praise for My Name is Mackenzie Bly

Lissa Evans perfectly captures the agony and absurdity of adolescence... MacKenzie Bly is the Adrian Mole of our times… A work of comic genius.

India Knight

Loved it, so many laugh out loud scenes - MacKenzie Bly is a joyous escape from this messed up world.

Clare Chambers

An utter joy and very funny indeed. Philip Stephens is a brilliantly drawn character and My Name is MacKenzie Bly is a wonderfully affectionate portrait of modern Britain.

Rob Newman

My Name is MacKenzie Bly is Adrian Mole for the 21st century, with all of the original’s charm, humour and brilliance. This has to be one of the funniest books I’ve read in years, and Lissa Evans is an absolute comedy genius.

Katya Balen

So good. So funny. Befriend MacKenzie Bly immediately. He is the man you need in your life.

Lucy Mangan

MacKenzie Bly is one of the funniest, most loveable characters I’ve met in years.

Hilary McKay

MacKenzie Bly is proof that great writing and great humour can go hand in hand. Evans captures the messy brilliance of being a teenage boy perfectly - one of the funniest books I've had the pleasure to read.

Jenny Pearson

So imaginative, funny and life-affirming.

Hadley Freeman