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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Subhi is a refugee, the first child born within the fences of an Australian detention center. Unlike his mother, his sister Queeny, and the other refugees in the center, he has no memories of home, no knowledge of what life is like Outside. His awareness of their situation's injustice is inconsistent and is often the cause of frustration for Queeny, who was a small child when they entered the camp but still able to remember the good and bad parts of their life before the fences. Jimmie lives just up the hill. Her existence is quiet, lonely, and insular. With the death of her mother, her family's stability fell apart. Her father works a job that keeps him away from home days at a time and she relies on her brother for transportation to school, which means she often misses. At ten years old, she still doesn't know how to read. When she happens upon the fence and Subhi one night and discovers he can read, they start meeting at night in secret to read over her mother's stories and learn more about each other's lives.
For a young adult/middle grade level novel, The Bone Sparrow deals with a great many heavy subjects, including human rights, depression, and grief. However, much like Harper Lee's treatment of racism in [b:To Kill a Mockingbird|2657|To Kill a Mockingbird|Harper Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361975680s/2657.jpg|3275794], Ms. Fraillon tempers the weightiness of her chosen subjects through the light, innocent eyes of children. Seeing Subhi's plight through his own innocent eyes makes his situation that much more heartbreaking. Jimmie, while when compared to Subhi leads a rather cushy life, also has her own issues to deal with, and the children bond over the depth of their shared experiences--losing a parent, loneliness--rather than focus on their many differences. I enjoyed the elements of fantasy and magic; the imaginative narrative helped us remember that despite the dark experiences Subhi and Jimmie undergo, they are still children. The Bone Sparrow is difficult to read, but important.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
For a young adult/middle grade level novel, The Bone Sparrow deals with a great many heavy subjects, including human rights, depression, and grief. However, much like Harper Lee's treatment of racism in [b:To Kill a Mockingbird|2657|To Kill a Mockingbird|Harper Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361975680s/2657.jpg|3275794], Ms. Fraillon tempers the weightiness of her chosen subjects through the light, innocent eyes of children. Seeing Subhi's plight through his own innocent eyes makes his situation that much more heartbreaking. Jimmie, while when compared to Subhi leads a rather cushy life, also has her own issues to deal with, and the children bond over the depth of their shared experiences--losing a parent, loneliness--rather than focus on their many differences. I enjoyed the elements of fantasy and magic; the imaginative narrative helped us remember that despite the dark experiences Subhi and Jimmie undergo, they are still children. The Bone Sparrow is difficult to read, but important.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Such an important and heart wrenching story. This needs to be read by many people. It shouldn't be ignored. ;(
Oh, this was so good and so sad and so lovely. The story winds between two different children, Subhu, who was born in an Australian detention center and has lived his whole life and never been beyond the fence to the Outside, and Jimmie, whose life is unraveling day by day as she carries around grief for her lost mother and fumbling family. But when Jimmie lets her curiosity get the better of her and she goes down the hill to the Center, she meets Subhu, who helps reconnect her to her mother through stories and, later, helps save his life just as much as he’s saved hers.
This just made me ache inside. It was such a quick, gorgeous little read. The language in it was so lovely, and I was absolutley enamored with Subhu and his view of the world. The Night Sea was perhaps my favorite part of the whole book, particularly when we find out the truth behind it. Every character was so well-developed, and the ending left me feeling fulfilled even though it ends without knowing for sure that everyone is okay. I just adored this.
This just made me ache inside. It was such a quick, gorgeous little read. The language in it was so lovely, and I was absolutley enamored with Subhu and his view of the world. The Night Sea was perhaps my favorite part of the whole book, particularly when we find out the truth behind it. Every character was so well-developed, and the ending left me feeling fulfilled even though it ends without knowing for sure that everyone is okay. I just adored this.
STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND GO READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. I just finished it about half an hour ago and I’m reeling. Beautiful, poignant, enlightening, heartbreaking, and hopeful - this, THIS is why middle grade books should absolutely not be overlooked as worthy literature. This should sit right alongside other books shedding light on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. This is the kind of book that helps all our hearts grow bigger - big enough to make sure that no one in this scary world is forgotten. Read it.
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First book down for #middlegrademarch
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First book down for #middlegrademarch
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
This is sure to open a lot of young readers' eyes to the concept of refugees, and get them thinking and talking about a dire situation; one to which the way we respond will define our generation.
Being middle grade, there wasn't as much depth with the character development and suchlike that older readers may be looking for in such a story, but it's a worthwhile read narrated from a unique perspective nonetheless.
Being middle grade, there wasn't as much depth with the character development and suchlike that older readers may be looking for in such a story, but it's a worthwhile read narrated from a unique perspective nonetheless.
so emotional my hEART
had to read it for school but ended up really enjoying it?! by the end i had a) a much better understanding of the book and the experiences of detention centres, b) really good marks in english, and c) getting to write an oral from maa's pov that made me and the class cry.
overall i'd rate the experience highly. would recommend A LOT.
had to read it for school but ended up really enjoying it?! by the end i had a) a much better understanding of the book and the experiences of detention centres, b) really good marks in english, and c) getting to write an oral from maa's pov that made me and the class cry.
overall i'd rate the experience highly. would recommend A LOT.
A truly beautiful tale of hope born in desperate situations. Sad and poignant, I'm still thinking about it now!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No