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leahcatching's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
trish_c_nl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a heart-wrenching read. I was captivated by Leon and his world.
numnams42's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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
3.75
cheekylaydee's review
4.0
His name is Leon. He is nine years old. Leon has just got himself a new baby brother, Jake. Jake is perfect, and people say they look alike. They have different dads, but they look like their mother. There's only one way in which Leon takes after his dad. His skin colour.
When their mother Carol is hit with post-natal depression, both children suffer from neglect and they're taken into care by a kind old lady called Maureen who has a belly like Father Christmas. Jake being the adorable white baby that he is, is soon adopted. Nine-year-old mixed race Leon is left behind because nobody wants to adopt a half-caste kid in 1980.
Not only is this perfectly told from a nine-year old's perspective, where adults talk about you behind closed doors and in hushed voices, but from an adult reader's point of view, you pick up on the political unrest and racial tensions of early 80's Britain. These go over the head of a naive foster kid who's trying to cope with the monumental upheaval of being separated from his mum as well as his little brother and going to live with a stranger, albeit a kind one. It seems the only way to make his mum Carol OK again is to find his little brother and get him back so they can all be together again.
I read this in 3 sittings, only because I was rudely interrupted by the need to work for a living. If not it would have been in one. A beautiful and poignant story of a lad trying to understand why his family is split up, having no control over where he lives or what school he goes to, adults making all the decisions and not doing a very good job of explaining their reasons. Highly recommended.
When their mother Carol is hit with post-natal depression, both children suffer from neglect and they're taken into care by a kind old lady called Maureen who has a belly like Father Christmas. Jake being the adorable white baby that he is, is soon adopted. Nine-year-old mixed race Leon is left behind because nobody wants to adopt a half-caste kid in 1980.
Not only is this perfectly told from a nine-year old's perspective, where adults talk about you behind closed doors and in hushed voices, but from an adult reader's point of view, you pick up on the political unrest and racial tensions of early 80's Britain. These go over the head of a naive foster kid who's trying to cope with the monumental upheaval of being separated from his mum as well as his little brother and going to live with a stranger, albeit a kind one. It seems the only way to make his mum Carol OK again is to find his little brother and get him back so they can all be together again.
I read this in 3 sittings, only because I was rudely interrupted by the need to work for a living. If not it would have been in one. A beautiful and poignant story of a lad trying to understand why his family is split up, having no control over where he lives or what school he goes to, adults making all the decisions and not doing a very good job of explaining their reasons. Highly recommended.
tashab27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
ali_w15's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I have read in a long time. A tale of a childhood lost and regained. A journey of love, hope, identity and family. A story of belonging and the concept of "home". I loved it.
doctabird's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
coinchantal's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw this book, I had to have it. Then when I started reading this book, I could not put it down. A really sad story that will break your heart. You want to hold Leon and tell him everything will be alright, but you can't.