Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by iambicwinter
The Unforgotten Coat by Clare Heney, Carl Hunter, Frank Cottrell Boyce
4.0
During the last summer term of elementary school, Julie meets newly immigrated Mongolian brothers Chingis and Nergui Tuul. The boys believe that Nergui is being chased by a demon that will make him vanish, so they enlist Julie as their Good Guide, to keep them safe and help them blend in. As Julie learns more about the steppe of Mongolia and the boys learn more about Bootle, everyone begins to experience both the funny and sad parts of immigrating to a new world.
This relatively short story of a British girl’s friendship with a pair of Mongolian brothers keeps the reader guessing. Why do the brothers think they’re being chased by a demon? Where is their home? What are they doing in England? The “old” texture and color of the book’s pages and the illustrative photographs taken by Chingis really immerse the reader deeper into the world Julie builds, a place where the steppe meets the seaside. Julie’s everyday struggles with friends and boys provide an interesting counterpoint with her efforts to help the Tuuls integrate, and it’s very enjoyable to watch the ways that the class tries to learn about and accommodate Mongolian culture as the term progresses.
However, there isn’t much drama or action within the bounds of the story to really catch a young reader’s interest. The story will have to be enjoyed for its own sake. While a fan of realistic fiction will undoubtedly enjoy this title, sci-fi/fantasy fans looking for a crossover title might do well to look elsewhere.
Though brief and (ironically) mildly forgettable, The Unforgotten Coat is a very pleasant read. The book is short enough to not be daunting, and yet full of interesting details about the differences between Mongolian and British culture. The story is ultimately about the modern child immigrant experience as seen from the outside, and the responsibility and curiosity Julie feels will resonate with any child who has a new student in their class. This book is definitely worth a look.
This relatively short story of a British girl’s friendship with a pair of Mongolian brothers keeps the reader guessing. Why do the brothers think they’re being chased by a demon? Where is their home? What are they doing in England? The “old” texture and color of the book’s pages and the illustrative photographs taken by Chingis really immerse the reader deeper into the world Julie builds, a place where the steppe meets the seaside. Julie’s everyday struggles with friends and boys provide an interesting counterpoint with her efforts to help the Tuuls integrate, and it’s very enjoyable to watch the ways that the class tries to learn about and accommodate Mongolian culture as the term progresses.
However, there isn’t much drama or action within the bounds of the story to really catch a young reader’s interest. The story will have to be enjoyed for its own sake. While a fan of realistic fiction will undoubtedly enjoy this title, sci-fi/fantasy fans looking for a crossover title might do well to look elsewhere.
Though brief and (ironically) mildly forgettable, The Unforgotten Coat is a very pleasant read. The book is short enough to not be daunting, and yet full of interesting details about the differences between Mongolian and British culture. The story is ultimately about the modern child immigrant experience as seen from the outside, and the responsibility and curiosity Julie feels will resonate with any child who has a new student in their class. This book is definitely worth a look.