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A review by cgj13
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
5.0
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