Reviews

Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah

merlijn69's review against another edition

2.5

Had to read it for school. I liked the story but it was written as if for a 10yo. Ending was kinda predictable but it was fine

lindyloureads's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

e11lla's review against another edition

fast-paced

5.0

ryanodino's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0

carolineva's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

4.0

book_lover101's review against another edition

challenging informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

linneastolsvik's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

sarapruc's review against another edition

emotional sad

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

nickymaund's review against another edition

5.0

Just brilliant, engaging and heartbreaking.
Alem is such a beautiful soul, left alone (because of some horrific circumstances) in England he just carries on - because of her else is there to do? Zephaniah creates a unique character in Alem, wise beyond his years who is considered and thoughtful in his responses to the horrors that life throws at him. And his story is also educational and it draws on real refugee experiences told to Zephaniah

Whilst this is aimed at young adults, I really enjoyed this. The writing is just lovely and his story really pulls you in as you follow Alem through his journey to live in a place where he’s safe from persecution, and the fallout of war. There are some really touching/heartbreaking moments in this story; wishing the court a happy Christmas as it’s Christmas in January for Ethiopians, his eventual connection with Ruth and the ending in particular.

This book has been out for a few years, however it’s only just being released as an audiobook. Ben Bailey Smith does an excellent job as narrator - he really makes Alem his own. I’ll definitely look out for other audiobooks narrated by him.

vikingwolf's review against another edition

1.0

When I picked up this book I thought it was about the struggle of an African boy and his family trying to flee a war zone, on the run from armed troops who want to kill them, and telling if and how they survived but that is not what the book is about. After a brief introduction to their troubles fleeing between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the boy is brought to Britain and left there alone as a refugee to keep him safe. The story then goes into all the racism and abuse in the childrens home he is put into while his case is decided. This was NOT the story I thought I'd be buying so I instantly stopped reading it, feeling the back cover of the book totally misled me! I didn't want to read another depressing story about bullying and misery in care homes. I had been hoping for a story about the war zone itself. Disappointing.