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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
A fantastic idea for a middle-grade book, and very well executed too. Budi is a really relatable and well-rounded character, easy to root for. He isn't perfect, but the mistakes and bad decisions he makes are understandable and make the story more realistic.
There are several different plot threads in the book but not to the extent that it gets confusing. The cast of side-characters add depth and some characters like Budi's best friend Rochy get their own character arcs, but all without distracting too much from Budi's tale. It is more of a character-driven novel than a story-driven one, which helps the reader empathise with Budi.
I picked up this book in my local branch of Waterstones because it was one of the Books of the Month and although I'm not much of a football fan I love to see children's and YA books that introduce readers to international issues. The worker at the checkout told me that the author was a member of staff in that very shop, which is why they were promoting it, and that made me even more willing to support it. I thought it was a fantastic debut and I will be recommending it very widely so it gets the recognition it deserves.
According to a Q&A at the back of my edition, the author is already working on a story about the aftermath of war and I will definitely read that when it comes out.
I would recommend this book to older children and pre-teens who love football. It's a great way to introduce them to serious issues such as sweatshops and poverty.
There are several different plot threads in the book but not to the extent that it gets confusing. The cast of side-characters add depth and some characters like Budi's best friend Rochy get their own character arcs, but all without distracting too much from Budi's tale. It is more of a character-driven novel than a story-driven one, which helps the reader empathise with Budi.
I picked up this book in my local branch of Waterstones because it was one of the Books of the Month and although I'm not much of a football fan I love to see children's and YA books that introduce readers to international issues. The worker at the checkout told me that the author was a member of staff in that very shop, which is why they were promoting it, and that made me even more willing to support it. I thought it was a fantastic debut and I will be recommending it very widely so it gets the recognition it deserves.
According to a Q&A at the back of my edition, the author is already working on a story about the aftermath of war and I will definitely read that when it comes out.
I would recommend this book to older children and pre-teens who love football. It's a great way to introduce them to serious issues such as sweatshops and poverty.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
This book was good! It was very interesting and the last 100 pages were extremely intense 😂 I loved that xx
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is a powerful book and one that is incredibly important for children (9+) to read.
The subject matter is treated seriously and Budi’s perspective provides an unvarnished insight into the world of East Asian sweatshops, the lows and the (relative) highs. It’s a brilliant way of bringing such a delicate issue to the attention of young children.
Despite the weighty subject matter the story is not entirely downbeat. As a reader, you are carried through the book by a real compassion for Budi and also the author’s humour, which acts as light-hearted relief in the story and doesn’t distract from the matter in hand. The story also has many intriguing developments which make you want to keep reading.
For a debut novel the book is even more impressive. At the back of the book it says Mitch Johnson’s next novel will be about PTSD (I think) and if that subject matter is treated as sensitively and skillfully as it is in Kick, it will be another classic.
The subject matter is treated seriously and Budi’s perspective provides an unvarnished insight into the world of East Asian sweatshops, the lows and the (relative) highs. It’s a brilliant way of bringing such a delicate issue to the attention of young children.
Despite the weighty subject matter the story is not entirely downbeat. As a reader, you are carried through the book by a real compassion for Budi and also the author’s humour, which acts as light-hearted relief in the story and doesn’t distract from the matter in hand. The story also has many intriguing developments which make you want to keep reading.
For a debut novel the book is even more impressive. At the back of the book it says Mitch Johnson’s next novel will be about PTSD (I think) and if that subject matter is treated as sensitively and skillfully as it is in Kick, it will be another classic.
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Received in exchange for an honest review from Usborne Publishing UK.
Another version of this review can be found @ The Regal Critiques.
Why this is a must-read for anyone who likes MG, YA, or you know, reading in general!
âš½ The subjects it deals with- from East-Asian sweatshop workers to human trafficking, the author touches upon a lot of important issues through the story. It was an eye-opener of sorts to see what Budi went through, be it at home, at work, or in his neighbourhood.
âš½ Take Budi himself. Budi comes from a poverty-stricken family in Jakarta, Indonesia, consisting of his parents and his paternal grandmother. He cannot afford to go to school, which is why he works at a factory that makes boots for professional football players. The character was brilliantly portrayed, be it how Budi had hopes and dreams for his future as a footballer despite his bleak situation or how he slowly comes to realize that things aren't just that easy in real life. As if all this wasn't enough, he also has to deal with a genetic condition that doesn't allow proper clotting of blood (this leads to complications like constant bleeding when wounded and even internal bleeding when things are very serious).
âš½ Budi and Rochy shared a heart-warming friendship and it was lovely to see what they went through- how friendships are made and broken at such ages and how despite everything, they still have fun. Be it playing football, watching matches on TV or ardently following their favorites, they still found something to love and bond over and it was just perfect?
âš½ And then there's Budi's family- his mom and dad strived to keep him as happy as they could and Budi's grandma was one amazing person. I loved the moments Budi shared with her and how he looked up to her and this, along with Budi's friendship with Rochy, was one of the best things in the book, in my opinion.
âš½ The storyline! Here, I admit, I'm in two minds about. While I was really happy with how things turned out towards the end, I couldn't help but wish things went in another direction. I don't do spoilers but oh, I really wish Budi had something more in store for him. Despite it all, I loved the twists and I love how the bottom line here is that dreams may not always come true, but you can still be happy with what you have- and relationships are important, be it family or friends.
âš½ The writing is to the point and nothing fancy (and it suits the tone of the book just right), but if I were to say what makes this book as special as it is, I'd say it's in the way how the author laces positivity through everything. I wasn't very sure about the Slumdog Millionaire comparison at the beginning but once I finished this book and thought back on the course of the story, I'd say the comparisons are justified. You'd love how everything bleak still shines with hope and that's...that's everything.
All in all, while this wasn't a perfect book by all means, it was still a pretty impressive debut- a clean goal- and I cannot wait to see what the author would come up with next!
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Enjoy factor: 4/5
Final Rating: 3/5
Another version of this review can be found @ The Regal Critiques.
Why this is a must-read for anyone who likes MG, YA, or you know, reading in general!
âš½ The subjects it deals with- from East-Asian sweatshop workers to human trafficking, the author touches upon a lot of important issues through the story. It was an eye-opener of sorts to see what Budi went through, be it at home, at work, or in his neighbourhood.
âš½ Take Budi himself. Budi comes from a poverty-stricken family in Jakarta, Indonesia, consisting of his parents and his paternal grandmother. He cannot afford to go to school, which is why he works at a factory that makes boots for professional football players. The character was brilliantly portrayed, be it how Budi had hopes and dreams for his future as a footballer despite his bleak situation or how he slowly comes to realize that things aren't just that easy in real life. As if all this wasn't enough, he also has to deal with a genetic condition that doesn't allow proper clotting of blood (this leads to complications like constant bleeding when wounded and even internal bleeding when things are very serious).
âš½ Budi and Rochy shared a heart-warming friendship and it was lovely to see what they went through- how friendships are made and broken at such ages and how despite everything, they still have fun. Be it playing football, watching matches on TV or ardently following their favorites, they still found something to love and bond over and it was just perfect?
âš½ And then there's Budi's family- his mom and dad strived to keep him as happy as they could and Budi's grandma was one amazing person. I loved the moments Budi shared with her and how he looked up to her and this, along with Budi's friendship with Rochy, was one of the best things in the book, in my opinion.
âš½ The storyline! Here, I admit, I'm in two minds about. While I was really happy with how things turned out towards the end, I couldn't help but wish things went in another direction. I don't do spoilers but oh, I really wish Budi had something more in store for him. Despite it all, I loved the twists and I love how the bottom line here is that dreams may not always come true, but you can still be happy with what you have- and relationships are important, be it family or friends.
âš½ The writing is to the point and nothing fancy (and it suits the tone of the book just right), but if I were to say what makes this book as special as it is, I'd say it's in the way how the author laces positivity through everything. I wasn't very sure about the Slumdog Millionaire comparison at the beginning but once I finished this book and thought back on the course of the story, I'd say the comparisons are justified. You'd love how everything bleak still shines with hope and that's...that's everything.
All in all, while this wasn't a perfect book by all means, it was still a pretty impressive debut- a clean goal- and I cannot wait to see what the author would come up with next!
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Enjoy factor: 4/5
Final Rating: 3/5
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was torn between 4 and 5 stars for this, but, as a teacher, have based it on how I think reluctant boys would feel about it. The football theme will hook them in and then the major plot-lines will give them something to think about. It’s well written and he pace is quick. Having talked to my Year 5 class about this as I’ve been reading it, I’ve already got a good few of the class who are interested in reading it, which has to be a good thing.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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