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ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag:
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Boy_Underwater_by_Adam_Baron
Cymbeline Igloo (yes, that’s his real name!) is nine years old, and he has never been swimming, and this wouldn’t be a really big problem except for the fact that the school bully has somehow got the impression that Cym is actually an amazing champion swimmer, and has challenged Cym to a race at their very first school swimming lesson! He tries to research swimming on the internet, but there’s an accident at the pool that, initially, sees Cym embarrassed in front of the other kids, but that results in his mum having a breakdown. Why has she never taken Cym swimming? And why does his accident at the pool create such devastation in Cym’s life?
As I started this book, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it. Cym felt a little too laddish somehow, and the use of all caps and font changes in the writing gave it a loud, rather busy feel, so I wondered if there was just going to be a lot of shouting throughout the novel. Fortunately, a few chapters in, I settled into the style, and once that happened, I found it a very good and gripping read.
The book deals with lots of different, very serious issues such as bullying, family secrets, mental health and bereavement. Given the list of issues, you’d expect it to be a rather dry, difficult read, but the themes seem to sneak in and out of the story, so that the subject matter is never too much in your face. There is, nowadays, much more awareness around mental health issues but still, it is an extremely important issue to talk about, and to be open about, especially with children so that they don’t find it scary. It does get quite dark and difficult - Cym has to go and stay with an aunt who isn’t particularly gentle and understanding. She also seems to be dealing with some of her own, rather grown up issues and she has little time or patience for Cym. He is suddenly all alone, and doesn’t really understand what’s going on.
I did wonder if the book would actually help a child going through something similar? When Cym is obviously struggling, and a teacher checks if he’s okay or not, Cym doesn’t speak up or ask for help. He also sneaks out of his auntie’s house during the night and heads back to his own home which, whilst understandable, wasn’t exactly a safe example for children reading the story. I also felt that, at times, the author wasn’t quite sure if he was writing a book for children, or writing a book for adults. The side story of Cym’s aunt and uncle’s problems felt more like a grown-up story than one for those in Year 4, as did parts of the resolution of the mystery. And when Cym’s child-genius friend solves a complex financial problem for Cym’s Uncle I again wondered what was happening with the story, and quite who it was meant for.
These are just small issues, however, and overall I felt the book was a really good read, as well as managing to be moving and funny. The mystery strand is intriguing (and I hadn’t figured out what had happened), and Cym really grew on me, as a character, through the book. Some of the humour is a little childish but it is, of course, the sort of humour that children like. My own little boy has just entered that phase in his life where he thinks it’s fall on the floor hilarious to make farting noises with your armpit, and so I’m sure parts of the story would encourage a few sniggers amongst those of a similar nature! I also think, though, that the book would make children think - about art, and about friendship, and about what happens when someone’s family falls apart, and thinking about those things, and talking about those things, is definitely good.
Generally it felt easy to read, and there are some illustrations through the book that quietly support the story, which would help any struggling readers. I imagine it’s aimed around the older primary school, early secondary school age range though personally, I found it a gripping read and I’m a lot older than that!
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Boy_Underwater_by_Adam_Baron
Cymbeline Igloo (yes, that’s his real name!) is nine years old, and he has never been swimming, and this wouldn’t be a really big problem except for the fact that the school bully has somehow got the impression that Cym is actually an amazing champion swimmer, and has challenged Cym to a race at their very first school swimming lesson! He tries to research swimming on the internet, but there’s an accident at the pool that, initially, sees Cym embarrassed in front of the other kids, but that results in his mum having a breakdown. Why has she never taken Cym swimming? And why does his accident at the pool create such devastation in Cym’s life?
As I started this book, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it. Cym felt a little too laddish somehow, and the use of all caps and font changes in the writing gave it a loud, rather busy feel, so I wondered if there was just going to be a lot of shouting throughout the novel. Fortunately, a few chapters in, I settled into the style, and once that happened, I found it a very good and gripping read.
The book deals with lots of different, very serious issues such as bullying, family secrets, mental health and bereavement. Given the list of issues, you’d expect it to be a rather dry, difficult read, but the themes seem to sneak in and out of the story, so that the subject matter is never too much in your face. There is, nowadays, much more awareness around mental health issues but still, it is an extremely important issue to talk about, and to be open about, especially with children so that they don’t find it scary. It does get quite dark and difficult - Cym has to go and stay with an aunt who isn’t particularly gentle and understanding. She also seems to be dealing with some of her own, rather grown up issues and she has little time or patience for Cym. He is suddenly all alone, and doesn’t really understand what’s going on.
I did wonder if the book would actually help a child going through something similar? When Cym is obviously struggling, and a teacher checks if he’s okay or not, Cym doesn’t speak up or ask for help. He also sneaks out of his auntie’s house during the night and heads back to his own home which, whilst understandable, wasn’t exactly a safe example for children reading the story. I also felt that, at times, the author wasn’t quite sure if he was writing a book for children, or writing a book for adults. The side story of Cym’s aunt and uncle’s problems felt more like a grown-up story than one for those in Year 4, as did parts of the resolution of the mystery. And when Cym’s child-genius friend solves a complex financial problem for Cym’s Uncle I again wondered what was happening with the story, and quite who it was meant for.
These are just small issues, however, and overall I felt the book was a really good read, as well as managing to be moving and funny. The mystery strand is intriguing (and I hadn’t figured out what had happened), and Cym really grew on me, as a character, through the book. Some of the humour is a little childish but it is, of course, the sort of humour that children like. My own little boy has just entered that phase in his life where he thinks it’s fall on the floor hilarious to make farting noises with your armpit, and so I’m sure parts of the story would encourage a few sniggers amongst those of a similar nature! I also think, though, that the book would make children think - about art, and about friendship, and about what happens when someone’s family falls apart, and thinking about those things, and talking about those things, is definitely good.
Generally it felt easy to read, and there are some illustrations through the book that quietly support the story, which would help any struggling readers. I imagine it’s aimed around the older primary school, early secondary school age range though personally, I found it a gripping read and I’m a lot older than that!
chanting_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I was quite surprised with Cymbeline's backstory, and there were certain bits that got me teary too. I think there are a lot of heavy themes that would be missed unless the reader is mature or old enough. Even though my principle with books is that no book is off limits, I think I might need to if I were to let my students read this.
All in all though, it's still a pretty good read!
All in all though, it's still a pretty good read!
slimikin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
coala's review
5.0
Familiengeheimnisse durch Kinderaugen
Cym kann nicht schwimmen und weiß gar nicht so genau, warum es ihm seine Mutter nie beigebracht hat. Als er vor der Klasse gedemütigt wird, muss er dem Grund endlich auf den Grund gehen und stößt auf ein lang gehütetes Familiengeheimnis.
Eine sehr schön erzählt Geschichte aus dem Blickwinkel des Kindes. Cym ist dabei furchtbar sympathisch und mitten aus dem Leben. Mit kindlichem und ehrlichem Ton kommt dies sehr gut rüber. Die Sprache an sich wurde unglaublich gut an den jungen Charakter angepasst. Gleichzeitig ist die Handlung aber auch spannend, man möchte dem Geheimnis unbedingt auch auf die Spur kommen, es kommt aber auch schöner leichter Humor zum Vorschein in der Geschichte. Die Nebenfiguren sind gut ausgearbeitet und unterstützen die Geschichte sehr gut.
Ein beeindruckendes Buch mit starker Geschichte und Figuren zum Gernhaben und Einfühlen. Dazu hat das Buch eine sehr schöne Gestaltung, welche die Besonderheit der Geschichte noch einmal perfekt ergänzt. Unbedingt lesen!
Cym kann nicht schwimmen und weiß gar nicht so genau, warum es ihm seine Mutter nie beigebracht hat. Als er vor der Klasse gedemütigt wird, muss er dem Grund endlich auf den Grund gehen und stößt auf ein lang gehütetes Familiengeheimnis.
Eine sehr schön erzählt Geschichte aus dem Blickwinkel des Kindes. Cym ist dabei furchtbar sympathisch und mitten aus dem Leben. Mit kindlichem und ehrlichem Ton kommt dies sehr gut rüber. Die Sprache an sich wurde unglaublich gut an den jungen Charakter angepasst. Gleichzeitig ist die Handlung aber auch spannend, man möchte dem Geheimnis unbedingt auch auf die Spur kommen, es kommt aber auch schöner leichter Humor zum Vorschein in der Geschichte. Die Nebenfiguren sind gut ausgearbeitet und unterstützen die Geschichte sehr gut.
Ein beeindruckendes Buch mit starker Geschichte und Figuren zum Gernhaben und Einfühlen. Dazu hat das Buch eine sehr schöne Gestaltung, welche die Besonderheit der Geschichte noch einmal perfekt ergänzt. Unbedingt lesen!
lizziethereader's review against another edition
3.0
There were some nice twists, but also some annoyingly exaggerated caricatures of characters. Kids will probably have fun with it, but I have to admit to some slightly exasperated sighs.
jellojina's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
abitallovertheplace's review against another edition
3.0
It isn’t the sort of book I would usually go for but this was so good!
I loved the idea that this one thing could lead to so much drama. I love the character - he is realistic and isn’t boring to read. His motives are understandable and make sense.
His Mum is written so well and shows a reliable interpretation.
I will be picking up the next book!
I loved the idea that this one thing could lead to so much drama. I love the character - he is realistic and isn’t boring to read. His motives are understandable and make sense.
His Mum is written so well and shows a reliable interpretation.
I will be picking up the next book!
skundrik87's review against another edition
3.0
The main character seems way too old to sleep with a stuffed animal, have him mom wash his hair, and not know how to cross the street alone. He is nine, not five.
Very British language, so make sure you know your British slang.
Very British language, so make sure you know your British slang.
anban's review against another edition
5.0
Everything is pretty normal for Cymbeline Igloo, apart from his name, and the fact he has never been swimming.
What starts off as a pretty uneventful school trip to the pool turns into his mother having a sudden breakdown and Cym's mission to find out exactly why his mum is so terrified of him being around water.
With the help of friends, old and new, and his bear, Mr Fluffy, Cym takes us on an adventure splattered with humour and hurt in equal measures as we find out if anything will ever be normal again. I completely disagree with anyone who claims this book isn't suitable for its suggested age range. Yes it deals with difficult topics of death, mental health, and family secrets but that is exactly what kids need. While this might be a fabricated story there are many young people who go through these experiences and reading a book from the point of view of one of their own, a child of nine with the sense of humour to match, will give them hope and understanding that they are not alone in those experiences.
I loved this book. Sure it's silly in places and dark in others but that's what makes it brilliant.
What starts off as a pretty uneventful school trip to the pool turns into his mother having a sudden breakdown and Cym's mission to find out exactly why his mum is so terrified of him being around water.
With the help of friends, old and new, and his bear, Mr Fluffy, Cym takes us on an adventure splattered with humour and hurt in equal measures as we find out if anything will ever be normal again. I completely disagree with anyone who claims this book isn't suitable for its suggested age range. Yes it deals with difficult topics of death, mental health, and family secrets but that is exactly what kids need. While this might be a fabricated story there are many young people who go through these experiences and reading a book from the point of view of one of their own, a child of nine with the sense of humour to match, will give them hope and understanding that they are not alone in those experiences.
I loved this book. Sure it's silly in places and dark in others but that's what makes it brilliant.
shershenk's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s hard for me to rate a middle grade novel. I expected to love this because I usually find the way books for kids handle tough topics. This was not really about grief, as was advertised. It’s sad. In so many ways it is sad. The twist was wholly unexpected, though. I will give it that