The Bone Sparrow

Features

Description

Shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Perfect for fans of THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS. This is a beautiful, vivid and deeply moving story about a refugee boy who has spent his entire life living in a detention centre. This novel reminds us all of the importance of freedom, hope, and the power of a story to speak for anyone who's ever struggled to find a safe home. '...a special book' - Morris Gleitzman, author of the acclaimed ONCE series Born in a refugee camp, all Subhi knows of the world is that he's at least 19 fence diamonds high, the nice Jackets never stay long, and at night he dreams that the sea finds its way to his tent, bringing with it unusual treasures.

And one day it brings him Jimmie. Carrying a notebook that she's unable to read and wearing a sparrow made out of bone around her neck - both talismans of her family's past and the mother she's lost - Jimmie strikes up an unlikely friendship with Subhi beyond the fence. As he reads aloud the tale of how Jimmie's family came to be, both children discover the importance of their own stories in writing their futures.

Review:

This is a tragic, beautifully crafted and wonderful book whose chirpy, stoic hero shames us all.

I urge you to read it THE INDEPENDENT While addressing themes of loss, desperation, and injustice in an all-too-relevant setting, Fraillon's resonant novel underscores the healing power of story. Starred Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY The story of Subhi, sensitively told and immensely moving, gives us a glimpse of what homeless, imprisoned existence life feels like... and how the hope invested in a vision of a better future can end up being the difference between making it out, and surrendering to despair.

The Big Issue Stories can change how people think and this book aims to do just that Claire Hennessey, IRISH TIMES The Bone Sparrow is already drawing comparisons with The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. The language captures the children's confusion, their hope mixed with worry over their families and dreams of freedom, but the novel doesn't flounder in abject misery when it easily could Yorkshire Post With an affecting and distinctive narrative voice ... she builds a convincing and complete world.

Moving and memorable, The Bone Sparrow deserves to be read by all who care about our common humanity The Guardian Cleverly imagined and very affecting Belfast Telegraph Stories can change how people think and this book aims to do just that Irish Times Deeply moving novel Aldershot News & Mail A profoundly poignant novel Metro (Across UK) ...a special book Morris Gleitzman, author of the acclaimed ONCE series Outstanding ...

This is an important, heartbreaking book with frequent, unexpected humour, that everyone, whether teenager or adult, should read. Guardian A contender for the children's book of the year... It is a heartrending tale about how our stories make us, and also an angry polemic, vividly convincing in is detailed description of what it means for your home to be a tent in the dust behind a guarded fence.

The Sunday Times a profoundly poignant novel about what it means to live as a refugee, neither inside nor out METRO The writing is beautiful and the message of survival and bravery a universal one The Bookseller Zana Fraillon's powerful and poetic tale of friendship in the face of injustice will fly away with your heart.

Katharine Marsh, Edgar Award-winning author of THE NIGHT TOURIST An incredibly moving and powerful story about hope, freedom and survival. This is such an important topic, and a heart-achingly realistic story - everyone, both teenagers and adults, should read it. -- Rachel Meier, Waterstones Canterbury Waterstones.com What a powerful story.

Detention camps are no place for children. No place for humans. -- Clare Hall-Craggs Book Trust Think of it as a powerful polemic, yes, but also think of it as a story of the redeeming power of friendship and the vital nature of storytelling The Bookbag A heart-rending, beautiful story. From the first line I knew that I would be ut