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“Refugee Boy” by BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH brings us back to earth with a bump.
A challenging read for young adults and more, this is a story that tackles a range of difficult topics, such as family break ups, bereavements and friendships, through the experience of one young refugee from war-torn Ethiopia and Eritrea. Alem’s mixed parentage has led to persecution of his family, and he is sent by them to the safety of England. But his problems are only just starting. While it is easy to dismiss this book as too moralizing for it’s intended audience, the more intelligent will be gripped by its raw honesty and realism. Others will need to be helped to face up to the issues presented, and to realise that the reality of human experience can be as powerful and rewarding a topic in fiction, as the fantasy and mystery of Potter or Alex Rider. I rate this extremely highly as a “must read book” for the 12+ to adult readership.
I have seen comments about GARTH NIX and his very successful Keys to the Kingdom series. I review here the first, “Mister Monday”, which I happened upon recently.
This book can almost, and perhaps should, be described as the start of a new genre which combines the best of science fiction with the magical world so beloved of Harry Potter devotees. It is as exciting a read as any I have reviewed here previously. Snatched from the jaws of death, and chosen for that reason, Arthur finds himself with no option but to embark on a fantastic and dangerous journey to claim the Monday’s key, the first of seven that represent the Will of the Architect. The pace is at times breathtaking, and I was hooked from page 1.
Meet Garth Nix and his fantasy-adventure world at: http://www.garthnix.co.uk/home
