The Bubble Boy
Stewart Foster
Winner of the 9+ category of the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award and shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award.
What would you do if you could never leave your bubble? A poignant, heartwarming tale from inside the hospital walls that teaches children the importance of treating people with kindness and empathy. Perfect for fans of Wonder and The Boy At The Back of the Class.Amir is mad. He’s crazy. But the hospital wouldn’t let a crazy person in. They must have interviewed him and checked his qualifications. But maybe he didn’t even meet them? Maybe he hasn’t even come from India. He might have arrived on an alien spaceship and snuck in here in the middle of the night.
Eleven-year-old Joe can’t remember a life outside of his hospital room, with its beeping machines and view of London’s rooftops. His condition means he’s not allowed outside, not even for a moment, and his few visitors risk bringing life-threatening germs inside his ‘bubble’. But then someone new enters his world and changes it for ever. THE BUBBLE BOY is the story of how Joe spends his days, copes with his loneliness and frustrations, and looks – with superhero-style bravery, curiosity and hope – to a future without limits. Expect superheroes, super nurses and a few tears from this truly unique story. ‘Poignant, hopeful and heartbreaking’ Fiona Noble – Children’s Editor, The Bookseller ‘Deeply moving and utterly gripping . . . Stewart Foster carries off an astonishing feat of storytelling in this exceptional book’ Julia Eccleshare, lovereading.co.uk ‘A gripping and deeply moving book’ Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy ‘One thing we know about good books is their amazing ability to inspire empathy in the reader; to explore ideas and viewpoints that arise from experiences that are out of our own realm. The Bubble Boy does this with warmth, quirkiness and a light-hearted touch’ The GuardianReviews
Really enjoyed reading this book but it did make me feel sad that there are really children out there who can not leave hospitals because they are so poorly. It left me thinking how I would feel if I could not see my family and friends for long periods of time or just from behind a screen.
Superintendent Sandwich Owl 10.07.2026
Very interesting story
Mademoiselle Blueberry Vampire 30.01.2026
The Bubble Boy is a touching story about Joe, a boy who lives inside a bubble because he is sick. It is sad in parts but also funny and full of hope. It teaches us about kindness, bravery, and friendship. I really liked it because it made me think about how strong people can be.
Officer Gloriana Quagmire 26.08.2025
Joe, an 11 year old boy has lived his whole life in a sterile hospital room due to severe immune deficiency. He thinks he will never see the outside world and will have to stay in a climate controlled environment until the end of his life. But that all changes when a crazy new intern arrives at the hospital. Raj, the new intern, makes Joe do things that he has never dreamed of doing. But, Joe’s big wish is that he will go outside at least once.
Doctor Rapper Glitterball 12.08.2025
Star Reviewer
Yes it is very imaginative
General Orchid Partridge 14.09.2024
It shows how people feel when sick, but the character In the book [Joe] always pushes forward even if something terrible happens.
Director Ariel Sheep-Dip 27.08.2023
I really loved this book. It takes place in a hospital with a boy who was born without an immune system. My favourite character was probably Amir the nurse because even if he is slightly crazy, he does everything to help Joe. It is a little bit sad in places, but overall a 5/5!
Nurse Phoenix Astronomical 03.08.2023
So this boy called Joe who has been living in a bubble since he was 3 or 2 months old once this new nurse came in his name is Amir and he believes in aliens and he keeps looking out the window at the planes.I liked Beth because she’s always there for Joe, yes I would recommend it.
Senorita Kiki Yo-yo 02.08.2023
Joe is stuck in a bubble until Amir comes. He give him permission to go outside but he's not allowed to take off his his helmet. Joe does take off his helmet and gets a fungal infection
Mademoiselle Sapphire Dalmatian 19.07.2023
Sad, emotional, exciting, lots of death!
Doctor Sapphire Windchime 07.09.2022
I wasn’t terrible it was great
Professor Augustus Scratchings 23.08.2022
The reason I liked it was because it was adventurous and I loved how he loved Spider-Man. My favourite character was obviously Joe.
Chief Rapper Waterfall 14.08.2022
This book is happy sad and gripping and I could barely put it down. I hated it when people died and felt sad but that didn’t stop me reading it
Fairy Viper Mouse 07.08.2022
This about a boy who has a rare disease and cannot go outside. He has a really week immune system and had been in hospital since birth his name is Joe.Allvthat Joe wishes is that he could go outside little does he know what dangers he must face ...
Anonymous 06.08.2022
I is sad but when I picked it up I could not put it down!
Anonymous 20.07.2022
This book made me think a lot about lockdown during the pandemic and how many people have been isolated. It has moments of being shocking, like when Joe gets an infection, and moments when Joe can experience the world for the first time as an 11 year old. I would have liked to have known what happened to Joe- did they ever find treatment for his SCID? I would recommend this book but it was quite a lot to take in emotionally.
Baron Virgil Godzilla 23.06.2022
A pog, hard to describe book.
Anonymous 03.10.2021
This book is about a boy who stays in a bubble because if he leaves his bubble he can catch diseases. His sister visits him a lot.
Empress Morgana Wellington 30.08.2021
A beautiful text. There are no words.
Major Hercules Sheep-Dip 26.08.2021
I really enjoyed reading this book.
Anonymous 17.08.2021
