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A review by katiecatbooks
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
5.0
Refugees. Middle Grade. Difficult situations.
Story: Subhi is a young boy living in a refugee camp. He was born in the camp and it's the only life he has ever known. He shares a tent with his ma and older sister and other families. The living conditions are grim, with poor beds and out of date food.
Characters: Subhi tells our story in first person. Queeny is his older sister, a wise voice with a bit of sibling rivalry. Harvey is one of the guards at the camp, and the only nice one. An interesting character is a rubber duck that Subhi carries around with him. The rubber duck often gives very adult (mature thoughts and questions, advanced vocabulary) comments, which guide Subhi through the book.
Language: While the book is told in first person from Subhi's perspective, some chapters are told in third person, from a girl named Jimmie's perspective. The chapters are short and divided by a full page illustration, making the 290 page book a faster read than it looks. While many adult and distressing things happen in the book, we experience them through young Subhi's eyes and perspective, allowing the reader to speculate or learn more themselves and according to their own level.
While not a page turner, definitely a worthwhile read.
Story: Subhi is a young boy living in a refugee camp. He was born in the camp and it's the only life he has ever known. He shares a tent with his ma and older sister and other families. The living conditions are grim, with poor beds and out of date food.
Characters: Subhi tells our story in first person. Queeny is his older sister, a wise voice with a bit of sibling rivalry. Harvey is one of the guards at the camp, and the only nice one. An interesting character is a rubber duck that Subhi carries around with him. The rubber duck often gives very adult (mature thoughts and questions, advanced vocabulary) comments, which guide Subhi through the book.
Language: While the book is told in first person from Subhi's perspective, some chapters are told in third person, from a girl named Jimmie's perspective. The chapters are short and divided by a full page illustration, making the 290 page book a faster read than it looks. While many adult and distressing things happen in the book, we experience them through young Subhi's eyes and perspective, allowing the reader to speculate or learn more themselves and according to their own level.
While not a page turner, definitely a worthwhile read.