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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
My review for the Sunday Times: http://bit.ly/2dI5ajO
– In here, when people stop talking, and stop asking, and stop remembering, that's when they start to lose that piece of themselves. That's when their brains start to mush. –
– She says if everyone would listen to the stories deep down inside the earth, we would hear the whisperings of everything there is to hear, and if everyone did that, then maybe we wouldn't get stuck so much. –
– Writing does lie. It lies all the time. –
– Sometimes those kids go quiet for a while then get some happy and some chat back. But some of them go quiet and never get anything back at all. And every time that happens I wonder if someday those kids will find their voices out there somewhere, or if the red dirt in here has sucked dry their throats for good. –
– I need these stories. Everyone else in here has memories to hold on to. Everyone else has things to think on to stop them getting squashed down to nothing. But I don't have memories of anywhere else, and all these days just squish into the same. I need their stories. I need them to make my memories. –
– In here, when people stop talking, and stop asking, and stop remembering, that's when they start to lose that piece of themselves. That's when their brains start to mush. –
– She says if everyone would listen to the stories deep down inside the earth, we would hear the whisperings of everything there is to hear, and if everyone did that, then maybe we wouldn't get stuck so much. –
– Writing does lie. It lies all the time. –
– Sometimes those kids go quiet for a while then get some happy and some chat back. But some of them go quiet and never get anything back at all. And every time that happens I wonder if someday those kids will find their voices out there somewhere, or if the red dirt in here has sucked dry their throats for good. –
– I need these stories. Everyone else in here has memories to hold on to. Everyone else has things to think on to stop them getting squashed down to nothing. But I don't have memories of anywhere else, and all these days just squish into the same. I need their stories. I need them to make my memories. –
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation
The setting of the book is an Australian detention center where Rohingya refugees are mistreated.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Subhi is in a detention camp with his ill and mostly unresponsive mum and his fiery, seemingly uncaring sister. Life is boring and hard but Subhi doesn't really know any different as he was born in the camp. His days are made brighter by spending time with his friend, an older boy, Eli but when Eli is moved to a different part of the camp he feels bereft. A young girl, Jimmie, breaks into the camp one night and she and Subhi become friends. The story is definitely reminiscent of Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and is by turn, frightening , horrifying and heartbreakingly sad. Much is made of the power of story to give people something to hold onto however and the way in which a good tale can take us out of any situation and give hope. A thought provoking, harrowing read , especially when you realise it is based on real life events.
My oh my, was this boring or what.
This fell into the classic, deeply unfortunate trope of "let's find a human rights issue and write an oversimple, dull, plotless book, because Important trumps craft." See: The Vine Basket, Leon's Story, and so many others. I'm astonished at how small a role white saviors played, so...points there?
This fell into the classic, deeply unfortunate trope of "let's find a human rights issue and write an oversimple, dull, plotless book, because Important trumps craft." See: The Vine Basket, Leon's Story, and so many others. I'm astonished at how small a role white saviors played, so...points there?
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book broke my heart. It's beautiful and heartbreaking and I wish more than anything that it didn't need to be written. I wish this story was just fiction and not the reality of millions of people around the world- lost and without homes, unwanted everywhere. This book is so important, especially now, especially with what's going on in the world.
3.5. it was a nice buffer read after getting my heart broken from cassie clare. made me sad af thi. its horrible what happens to those who seek safety and how goverments give 0 crap about refugees.
A truly, captivating book. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot throughout. Although it did take me a while to get in to, I found myself constantly wanting to read more of it. A story about a refugee Subhi who was born in a detention centre because him Mum and sister fled their country due to war. Subhi remains hopeful throughout that he will experience a life beyond the fences and always likes to hear stories from others about their lives before they all were held captive.
Lovely friendship is formed between two of the main characters Jimmie and Subhi and as the story progresses, you realise how precious their friendship is. Reminded me at times of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' in regards to how their friendship is formed initially through a fence and other similar references throughout.
Towards the end, the plot probably exceeds primary level, but depending on the maturity and understanding of actions and themes within the book, could be used for upper KS2.
Lovely friendship is formed between two of the main characters Jimmie and Subhi and as the story progresses, you realise how precious their friendship is. Reminded me at times of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' in regards to how their friendship is formed initially through a fence and other similar references throughout.
Towards the end, the plot probably exceeds primary level, but depending on the maturity and understanding of actions and themes within the book, could be used for upper KS2.
I received this as an advanced reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
"How could people be so mean to each other when isn't everyone just the same anyway and why can't anyone work that out" -Jimmie
This is an amazing pre-teen novel that brings to light modern day societal issues. Subhi is a 10 year old boy who has lived his entire life in an Australian detention center for Rohingya refugees. It's a sad, yet interesting viewpoint. He has no reference of comparison of life outside the camp, which causes conflict between him and others. He knows the violence he has seen inside, and learned the rules of "living" in the camp, such as how to avoid being beat, the dual-face of the overseers when the outside comes to the camp, but he doesn't know the sweetness of living free. We learn that his father has been removed from this camp and Subhi spends the entire story waiting for him to return. His imagination has him believe that his father sends him messages via "treasures" that roll in during "the night sea". Something only he can see. I believe that this is his minds way of trying to make sense of his limited life.
Then there is his relationship with Jimmie, real or imagined? That one I think will remain a mystery to me. It seems implausible that it could be, but maybe...
Because of the intended age of the reader, this portrayal tends to stay on the safe side of violence, but does venture there. It would do justice to the issues refugees face in detention camps if that was glossed over. That might be disturbing to younger readers.
This is artful piece of fiction that is used to explore contemporary world issues.
Quotes:
Dedication: "To those who refuse the be blinded by the glare, or deafened by the hush, who are brace enough to question, and curious enough to explore. To those who will not forget. You will make a difference. And to the rest of us, So that we may learn."
"Someday and will see that looking back is just as important as looking forward, no matter how much sad it carries" -Subhi
"How could people be so mean to each other when isn't everyone just the same anyway and why can't anyone work that out" -Jimmie
"If we al sing together, our song can light up the dark" -Subhi
"How could people be so mean to each other when isn't everyone just the same anyway and why can't anyone work that out" -Jimmie
This is an amazing pre-teen novel that brings to light modern day societal issues. Subhi is a 10 year old boy who has lived his entire life in an Australian detention center for Rohingya refugees. It's a sad, yet interesting viewpoint. He has no reference of comparison of life outside the camp, which causes conflict between him and others. He knows the violence he has seen inside, and learned the rules of "living" in the camp, such as how to avoid being beat, the dual-face of the overseers when the outside comes to the camp, but he doesn't know the sweetness of living free. We learn that his father has been removed from this camp and Subhi spends the entire story waiting for him to return. His imagination has him believe that his father sends him messages via "treasures" that roll in during "the night sea". Something only he can see. I believe that this is his minds way of trying to make sense of his limited life.
Then there is his relationship with Jimmie, real or imagined? That one I think will remain a mystery to me. It seems implausible that it could be, but maybe...
Because of the intended age of the reader, this portrayal tends to stay on the safe side of violence, but does venture there. It would do justice to the issues refugees face in detention camps if that was glossed over. That might be disturbing to younger readers.
This is artful piece of fiction that is used to explore contemporary world issues.
Quotes:
Dedication: "To those who refuse the be blinded by the glare, or deafened by the hush, who are brace enough to question, and curious enough to explore. To those who will not forget. You will make a difference. And to the rest of us, So that we may learn."
"Someday and will see that looking back is just as important as looking forward, no matter how much sad it carries" -Subhi
"How could people be so mean to each other when isn't everyone just the same anyway and why can't anyone work that out" -Jimmie
"If we al sing together, our song can light up the dark" -Subhi