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katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Bullying turns to sci-fi Ender's Game... interesting debut from Henry.
3.5 stars.
Adopted son Tunde is picked on at school. Black skin, hooked nose. But he does at least have a great group of supportive (and diverse) friends, and his birthday is coming up. His parents may be quite strict about some things (with terrible taste in birthday cakes) but they love him.
About to turn 12, Tunde's parents forbid him to take part in sports at school, mystified, he tries to follow this but doesn't understand why.
The story is not what I was expecting from Henry. Seeing the first few chapters focusing on bullying, I was both hopeful of a good tale of overcoming bullies and looking at diversity/tolerance/racism issues, with a good Neverending Story-style ending.
But partway through it became more of an Ender's Game fantasy adventure, a little too complex for my listening 4-year-old, but perfectly suited to my 11-year-old who eats that stuff for breakfast.
There was potential to add more to the story about the bullies I thought, that plot could still have been added to the end as a coda, as the bullies are especially awful to Tunde in one scene, and even seeing one bully's own home life challenges could also have been followed through.
Oh well. Eldest Son enjoyed this. I was slightly disappointed that Lenny Henry wasn't a more engaging narrator of his own book, it didn't feel as spirited as other 'celebrity' readers we have heard. I'd be quite interested to see if he can 'write funny' for kids, this didn't showcase that side of him, which is no bad thing, branching out, but I'd like to see if children respond to his humour.
As a Black Country woman, I did chuckle to see a small dig at my home town of Wolverhampton included in there (thanks Lenny). And I did like the fact that it wasn't just Tunde who got to be a hero through this - team of friends together was needed.
A little complex maybe for the same market as Walliams and Baddiel (the cover would suggest ages 7-8 and above), so I'd say ages 9-12 will want to give this a go.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
3.5 stars.
Adopted son Tunde is picked on at school. Black skin, hooked nose. But he does at least have a great group of supportive (and diverse) friends, and his birthday is coming up. His parents may be quite strict about some things (with terrible taste in birthday cakes) but they love him.
About to turn 12, Tunde's parents forbid him to take part in sports at school, mystified, he tries to follow this but doesn't understand why.
The story is not what I was expecting from Henry. Seeing the first few chapters focusing on bullying, I was both hopeful of a good tale of overcoming bullies and looking at diversity/tolerance/racism issues, with a good Neverending Story-style ending.
But partway through it became more of an Ender's Game fantasy adventure, a little too complex for my listening 4-year-old, but perfectly suited to my 11-year-old who eats that stuff for breakfast.
There was potential to add more to the story about the bullies I thought, that plot could still have been added to the end as a coda, as the bullies are especially awful to Tunde in one scene, and even seeing one bully's own home life challenges could also have been followed through.
Oh well. Eldest Son enjoyed this. I was slightly disappointed that Lenny Henry wasn't a more engaging narrator of his own book, it didn't feel as spirited as other 'celebrity' readers we have heard. I'd be quite interested to see if he can 'write funny' for kids, this didn't showcase that side of him, which is no bad thing, branching out, but I'd like to see if children respond to his humour.
As a Black Country woman, I did chuckle to see a small dig at my home town of Wolverhampton included in there (thanks Lenny). And I did like the fact that it wasn't just Tunde who got to be a hero through this - team of friends together was needed.
A little complex maybe for the same market as Walliams and Baddiel (the cover would suggest ages 7-8 and above), so I'd say ages 9-12 will want to give this a go.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
z_brarian's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, laugh out loud, space adventure romp. Lots of laughs, lots of acceptance/tolerance/lessons to be learned, about a boy, Tunde, who is very different in a unique way. Not just that he's adopted but he discovers he has WINGS! And he learns is the Son-Foreseen, who must negotiate a treaty between two warring planets. His group of friends each have unique qualities which make up a strong squad who are there for each other. The story is written with some words that are emphasized with eye-catching fonts, plus there are illustrations scattered throughout the story. A bonus comic is included at the end of the book. Kids who enjoy sci-fi and stories about outers pace will enjoy this book.
smitchy's review against another edition
3.0
A great 9-12, middle grade fantasy fiction with themes of bullying, racism, teamwork and friendship.
Tunde loves his adopted parents and has found his tribe with his small number of great friends. But just as he turned 12 his parents got oddly strict - he suddenly wasn't allowed to do any sports or even run around! Tunde is trying to follow the rules that make no sense but when the BEST footballer in school asks him to play on their team how can he turn that down?!
When some very unexpected things happen to Tunde at a football match the answers might be found at his parent's work: A very secretive Government research site known locally as The Facility.
This story could be the start of a series (I hope it is) as there were several things left up in the air -such as what will happen for Tunde's bully? Who we find out is bullied himself, by his own family. Or what is in the future for the peace treaty between the alien species? Yeah. There are aliens!
This story reminded me of Terry Pratchett's "Only You Can Save Mankind" and it is just as entertaining with a great mix of silly and serious.
Tunde loves his adopted parents and has found his tribe with his small number of great friends. But just as he turned 12 his parents got oddly strict - he suddenly wasn't allowed to do any sports or even run around! Tunde is trying to follow the rules that make no sense but when the BEST footballer in school asks him to play on their team how can he turn that down?!
When some very unexpected things happen to Tunde at a football match the answers might be found at his parent's work: A very secretive Government research site known locally as The Facility.
This story could be the start of a series (I hope it is) as there were several things left up in the air -such as what will happen for Tunde's bully? Who we find out is bullied himself, by his own family. Or what is in the future for the peace treaty between the alien species? Yeah. There are aliens!
This story reminded me of Terry Pratchett's "Only You Can Save Mankind" and it is just as entertaining with a great mix of silly and serious.
zbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, laugh out loud, space adventure romp. Lots of laughs, lots of acceptance/tolerance/lessons to be learned, about a boy, Tunde, who is very different in a unique way. Not just that he's adopted but he discovers he has WINGS! And he learns is the Son-Foreseen, who must negotiate a treaty between two warring planets. His group of friends each have unique qualities which make up a strong squad who are there for each other. The story is written with some words that are emphasized with eye-catching fonts, plus there are illustrations scattered throughout the story. A bonus comic is included at the end of the book. Kids who enjoy sci-fi and stories about outers pace will enjoy this book.
rebeccafarren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
librarolyn's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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