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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This was tough, but brilliant and engaging. Subhi lives in a detention camp - I was imagining something like the Calais jungle - where he dreams of the outside, of a better life. This grows tantalisingly closer when he meets Jimmie, a girl from outside who has found her way in, and befriends Subhi when she learns he can read. The story tells us how Subhi survives, mainly thanks to his sister Queeny and his friend Eli, but he holds on to the hope that his father will come and find him and his family soon.
The ending was really hard to read and process, and the afterword brings it all home that this situation is based on the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of Burma, and that people of all backgrounds and ages are treated like this in 2017.
The ending was really hard to read and process, and the afterword brings it all home that this situation is based on the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of Burma, and that people of all backgrounds and ages are treated like this in 2017.
Takes place in a refugee detention center in Australia. This is an important topic, and certainly one kids (and adults) should learn about. I felt it was a little too "artsy" and abstract sometimes for the target audience -- I felt that Scholastic's Refugee book is a more accessible book on immigration for most kids.
This excellent children's novel is yet another indictment on Australia's inhumane treatment of minorities - this time not the Aborigines but refugees (commonly known as Boat People) who have made it to Australia's shores only to be incarcerated indefinitely and treated worse than criminals.
The story is told through the voices of two children - Subhi, a Rohingya boy born in the refugee camp, and Jimmy, a motherless girl living over the hill a little.
Subhi can only imagine what the world is like outside the fence, but he imagines some beautiful things. However, he can't remember the stories his mother used to tell him, and he fears he can no longer remember his father. At least one of the guards looks out for him, and at least he learnt to read before they stopped the school.
Jimmy's family used to move around all the time and she skips school or gets into trouble. She can remember her mother's stories, but she can't read the book of them that's her most precious possession. When she finds a way into the camp (to find out if the locals are telling the truth when they say the refugees have a cushy life there) the friendship that blooms is one of a shared love of stories while Subhi reads Jimmy's book to her and they talk.
This is a powerful and lovely story. It has much hope, while also highlighting the genocide of the Rohingya people by the Myanmar government and the aforementioned appalling treatment of innocent people by the Australian government. I hope that sufficient young (and not so young) people in Australia read this book and are moved to create change.
The story is told through the voices of two children - Subhi, a Rohingya boy born in the refugee camp, and Jimmy, a motherless girl living over the hill a little.
Subhi can only imagine what the world is like outside the fence, but he imagines some beautiful things. However, he can't remember the stories his mother used to tell him, and he fears he can no longer remember his father. At least one of the guards looks out for him, and at least he learnt to read before they stopped the school.
Jimmy's family used to move around all the time and she skips school or gets into trouble. She can remember her mother's stories, but she can't read the book of them that's her most precious possession. When she finds a way into the camp (to find out if the locals are telling the truth when they say the refugees have a cushy life there) the friendship that blooms is one of a shared love of stories while Subhi reads Jimmy's book to her and they talk.
This is a powerful and lovely story. It has much hope, while also highlighting the genocide of the Rohingya people by the Myanmar government and the aforementioned appalling treatment of innocent people by the Australian government. I hope that sufficient young (and not so young) people in Australia read this book and are moved to create change.
The Bone Sparrow, set in Austrailia, follows a 10-year-old boy named Subhi, who was born in a detention camp for refugees. He lives there with his mother and sister, (named) Queeny, who fled Burma years ago. The camp seems bleak and is monitored by multiple cameras and “jackets”, the nickname Subhi gives to the enforcers who are in charge. The weather is blazing hot, the food provisions are poor, and the people lack basic necessities in order to live.
The novel is told in two different point of views. Our main character Subhi, has a very vivid imagination which allows him to escape the realities of the camp he is trapped aside. He also seeks friendship in his “brother”, Eli, who always has his back and takes care of him. The two are inseparable. Jimmie, our other main character, is a girl (similar to Subhi’s age) who lives outside the detention center. Though she lives with her dad and brother, she is very lonely. She has moved from place to place throughout her childhood since her mother’s death at a young age. From her mother’s absence she tries to fill an empty void.
After Jimmie’s and Subhi’s initial meeting in the camp, their friendship grows. Jimmie sneaks into the center and lets Subhi reads the stories she can’t. In turn, Jimmie shares her out stories of the “outside world”, giving Subhi the hope that one day he will be free. The two share a special bond and throughout the story their friendship helps to ease the emptiness inside of them.
I sought out this story initially because of the topics that were discussed in this book. It’s a very timely novel, that deals with refugee crisis that we constantly seek in the news.It touches on the horrible conditions of detention camps among other issues. Fraillon mixes a heavy dose of fictional characters with a harsh realty in order to create an important story. Reading the point of the story where Subhi finally comes to the realization that he is unwanted certain multiple events occur, had me in tears.
The book’s plot has an overall smooth progression and the writing style is a bit unique. At times the writing was a bit jarring and that took away from the story, but other than that this book was solid. The Bone Sparrow raises awareness about human rights issues that need to be heard. Though it’s sometimes difficult to read these types of narratives, stories like these are essential to literature in order to educate ourselves.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The novel is told in two different point of views. Our main character Subhi, has a very vivid imagination which allows him to escape the realities of the camp he is trapped aside. He also seeks friendship in his “brother”, Eli, who always has his back and takes care of him. The two are inseparable. Jimmie, our other main character, is a girl (similar to Subhi’s age) who lives outside the detention center. Though she lives with her dad and brother, she is very lonely. She has moved from place to place throughout her childhood since her mother’s death at a young age. From her mother’s absence she tries to fill an empty void.
After Jimmie’s and Subhi’s initial meeting in the camp, their friendship grows. Jimmie sneaks into the center and lets Subhi reads the stories she can’t. In turn, Jimmie shares her out stories of the “outside world”, giving Subhi the hope that one day he will be free. The two share a special bond and throughout the story their friendship helps to ease the emptiness inside of them.
I sought out this story initially because of the topics that were discussed in this book. It’s a very timely novel, that deals with refugee crisis that we constantly seek in the news.It touches on the horrible conditions of detention camps among other issues. Fraillon mixes a heavy dose of fictional characters with a harsh realty in order to create an important story. Reading the point of the story where Subhi finally comes to the realization that he is unwanted certain multiple events occur, had me in tears.
The book’s plot has an overall smooth progression and the writing style is a bit unique. At times the writing was a bit jarring and that took away from the story, but other than that this book was solid. The Bone Sparrow raises awareness about human rights issues that need to be heard. Though it’s sometimes difficult to read these types of narratives, stories like these are essential to literature in order to educate ourselves.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I couldn't decide if this was the worst time to read this or the best time. It broke my heart so many times. I had to stop reading it before bed because it was giving me nightmares. It reminds me of how strong and resilient people can be in the worst situations and how people normalize trauma.
It took awhile for me to get into this book, I found it a little slow in places. I really loved the way that Fraillon describes the world through Subhi's eyes is beautiful and heartbreaking. Overall... I enjoyed it
The Bone Sparrow is a Middle Grade novel focused on the life of Subhi, a 9 year old refugee living in an Australian detention centre, along with his Mother (Maá) and sister (Queeny). To say this novel is heart-breaking is an understatement, and that’s coming from someone with the cold heart of an ice queen.
So, why is this story so heart-breaking? Because, it’s more than just a story. This book is a cold hard truth that I know a lot of Australian’s (admittedly, including myself) try to avoid. And it’s not just Australia, all around the world those who flee death and persecution in their own countries are treated like criminals. They’re locked up in detention centres and treated more poorly than murderers and rapists. The Bone Sparrow really gave me pause, especially as a nurse, about how we value the lives of some over others. But, I digress… It’s time for my thoughts on the book!
The Bone Sparrow is written poetically, but still remains raw. It’s honest, but doesn’t use gruesome tactics. I think it’s the perfect book to read in school tbh. I would have much preferred to read this book over The Great Gatsby. It’s highly relevant to the lives of Australians, while being educational as well. It teaches the importance of family and friendship, and focuses on the humans ability to survive. I also urge you to make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end, which is a powerful message within itself.
So, why is this story so heart-breaking? Because, it’s more than just a story. This book is a cold hard truth that I know a lot of Australian’s (admittedly, including myself) try to avoid. And it’s not just Australia, all around the world those who flee death and persecution in their own countries are treated like criminals. They’re locked up in detention centres and treated more poorly than murderers and rapists. The Bone Sparrow really gave me pause, especially as a nurse, about how we value the lives of some over others. But, I digress… It’s time for my thoughts on the book!
The Bone Sparrow is written poetically, but still remains raw. It’s honest, but doesn’t use gruesome tactics. I think it’s the perfect book to read in school tbh. I would have much preferred to read this book over The Great Gatsby. It’s highly relevant to the lives of Australians, while being educational as well. It teaches the importance of family and friendship, and focuses on the humans ability to survive. I also urge you to make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end, which is a powerful message within itself.
The Bone Sparrow is a Middle Grade novel focused on the life of Subhi, a 9 year old refugee living in an Australian detention centre, along with his Mother (Maá) and sister (Queeny). To say this novel is heart-breaking is an understatement, and that’s coming from someone with the cold heart of an ice queen.
So, why is this story so heart-breaking? Because, it’s more than just a story. This book is a cold hard truth that I know a lot of Australian’s (admittedly, including myself) try to avoid. And it’s not just Australia, all around the world those who flee death and persecution in their own countries are treated like criminals. They’re locked up in detention centres and treated more poorly than murderers and rapists. The Bone Sparrow really gave me pause, especially as a nurse, about how we value the lives of some over others. But, I digress… It’s time for my thoughts on the book!
The Bone Sparrow is written poetically, but still remains raw. It’s honest, but doesn’t use gruesome tactics. I think it’s the perfect book to read in school tbh. I would have much preferred to read this book over The Great Gatsby. It’s highly relevant to the lives of Australians, while being educational as well. It teaches the importance of family and friendship, and focuses on the humans ability to survive. I also urge you to make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end, which is a powerful message within itself.
So, why is this story so heart-breaking? Because, it’s more than just a story. This book is a cold hard truth that I know a lot of Australian’s (admittedly, including myself) try to avoid. And it’s not just Australia, all around the world those who flee death and persecution in their own countries are treated like criminals. They’re locked up in detention centres and treated more poorly than murderers and rapists. The Bone Sparrow really gave me pause, especially as a nurse, about how we value the lives of some over others. But, I digress… It’s time for my thoughts on the book!
The Bone Sparrow is written poetically, but still remains raw. It’s honest, but doesn’t use gruesome tactics. I think it’s the perfect book to read in school tbh. I would have much preferred to read this book over The Great Gatsby. It’s highly relevant to the lives of Australians, while being educational as well. It teaches the importance of family and friendship, and focuses on the humans ability to survive. I also urge you to make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end, which is a powerful message within itself.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
Such an emotional and poignant story. For a children’s book, this was incredible. I love how it’s an honest story of the harrowing experiences of refugees, there’s no sugar coating at all.
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes