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karolina_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Another issue book with heart from Rauf.
Her first took in the serious topic of refugees but mixed it with friendship, school and the Queen. Now the author gives young readers a little journey into the world of homelessness and adds to that a bully and a series of high-profile London thefts. She's not afraid of a challenge, and yet again makes a warming and insightful plot out of disparate elements that work together nicely.
Our narrator this time is the school bully. And while he's telling the story so we do feel a connection with him, he's - well - a bully. And pretty horrible to other children at school.
Hector has parents that travel the world on charity work missions, a younger brother (Hercules) and older sister (Helen - you might see the theme there), and a couple of 'friends' at school who goad him on as he steals money and sweets and generally makes life in his school a bit of a hell for a lot of other children. Showing off one day at the park, he ends up sending a homeless man's trolley into the lake, observed by Mei-Li, a girl in his class. Unrepentant, he does however later see this homeless man appear to be the culprit behind a series of bizarre but fiendishly clever robberies in the city of London.
Scenting a way of getting both rewards and recognition, he determines he needs to find out more about this homeless man, Thomas, from Mei-Li, who volunteers at the local soup kitchen.
This isn't exactly a 'story of redemption' but it does take in several angles and does so successfully, threading Hector's growing understanding of homelessness with a confusing friendship with someone he's bullied, and even a mystery/crime plot as they attempt to prove who is committing the thefts.
This would make a great class read for upper primary classes. My nearly 10-year-old and I just finished Rauf's debut and I'll be starting this one with him soon. It raises issues I'd like to have a context for so that we can then use for discussions, and Hector is engaging and a character you really want to see change a little. His family life plays a role in his actions and readers will notice that.
Readers of around 8 and above will find this a very smooth and intriguing story with some appealing characters.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
Her first took in the serious topic of refugees but mixed it with friendship, school and the Queen. Now the author gives young readers a little journey into the world of homelessness and adds to that a bully and a series of high-profile London thefts. She's not afraid of a challenge, and yet again makes a warming and insightful plot out of disparate elements that work together nicely.
Our narrator this time is the school bully. And while he's telling the story so we do feel a connection with him, he's - well - a bully. And pretty horrible to other children at school.
Hector has parents that travel the world on charity work missions, a younger brother (Hercules) and older sister (Helen - you might see the theme there), and a couple of 'friends' at school who goad him on as he steals money and sweets and generally makes life in his school a bit of a hell for a lot of other children. Showing off one day at the park, he ends up sending a homeless man's trolley into the lake, observed by Mei-Li, a girl in his class. Unrepentant, he does however later see this homeless man appear to be the culprit behind a series of bizarre but fiendishly clever robberies in the city of London.
Scenting a way of getting both rewards and recognition, he determines he needs to find out more about this homeless man, Thomas, from Mei-Li, who volunteers at the local soup kitchen.
This isn't exactly a 'story of redemption' but it does take in several angles and does so successfully, threading Hector's growing understanding of homelessness with a confusing friendship with someone he's bullied, and even a mystery/crime plot as they attempt to prove who is committing the thefts.
This would make a great class read for upper primary classes. My nearly 10-year-old and I just finished Rauf's debut and I'll be starting this one with him soon. It raises issues I'd like to have a context for so that we can then use for discussions, and Hector is engaging and a character you really want to see change a little. His family life plays a role in his actions and readers will notice that.
Readers of around 8 and above will find this a very smooth and intriguing story with some appealing characters.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
bookishperseus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookqueen82's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lausiet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.75
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
With the exception of some proper cartoony villains - acceptable as they aren't remotely the focus of the story - this is a strikingly realistic story featuring bullying, homelessness and redemption.
Hector has a (not entirely undeserved) reputation as a bully and a liar. He objects to it, though; he never tells a lie, and it seems like he's more drifted from pranks into bullying because of his friends rather than actually meant to become a bully. His parents and teachers have started to give up on him, though, and the less they believe in him the less inclined he is to do anything good or helpful.
It hurt watching the way he's treated, although it also hurt to see the casual way he talked about bullying other children. However, watching him slowly realise that other things are important was great. It didn't happen all at once, either, he came to it slowly over quite a long time.
The side characters were great. I wasn't so fond of Hector's parents, but they were nice to him at the end. Mei Li was brilliant. I enjoyed the action at the climax, too; Hector is much smarter than he gives himself credit for. And what an unusual story style, to tell it from the bully's point of view, and even more so not to demonise his victims!
A fantastic read. I'd love to see more people reading it, as I think it really needs to be known about.
Hector has a (not entirely undeserved) reputation as a bully and a liar. He objects to it, though; he never tells a lie, and it seems like he's more drifted from pranks into bullying because of his friends rather than actually meant to become a bully. His parents and teachers have started to give up on him, though, and the less they believe in him the less inclined he is to do anything good or helpful.
It hurt watching the way he's treated, although it also hurt to see the casual way he talked about bullying other children. However, watching him slowly realise that other things are important was great. It didn't happen all at once, either, he came to it slowly over quite a long time.
The side characters were great. I wasn't so fond of Hector's parents, but they were nice to him at the end. Mei Li was brilliant. I enjoyed the action at the climax, too; Hector is much smarter than he gives himself credit for. And what an unusual story style, to tell it from the bully's point of view, and even more so not to demonise his victims!
A fantastic read. I'd love to see more people reading it, as I think it really needs to be known about.
carolineroche's review
4.0
Another triumph from Onjali Q Rauf! This MG book is told from the viewpoint of a bully in Year 6. He blatantly enjoys bullying people, but as we read on we become more and more sympathetic as a situation turns itself around and he has the chance to redeem himself and change his viewpoint through his actions. A good read for Years 5-6.
libby_gt's review
4.0
I didn't connect with this as much as Rauf's other two novels but still enjoyed it overall. It would certainly provoke worthwhile conversations about homelessness and social inequalities. It was also interesting to read a book told from the point of a view of a bully (and to see him redeem himself!)
paperbackmo's review against another edition
3.0
This story raises awareness about homelessness and the power of kindness, making it an excellent choice for parents and educators who want to introduce children to important social issues.
anna_fumacova's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5