The Bone Sparrow
Zana Fraillon
Winner of the CILIP Amnesty Honour 2017.
Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017.
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.
Reviews
I enjoy the part where it was cropped because it was so gory
Anonymous 20.12.2023
I liked this book because it felt very realistic. My favourite part is the really sad part because usually stories are always cheery and happy but in this one there was something different and actually solid-hard. My favourite character was Queeny because of how realistic she always was, which I really like because although some people think you can just live on hope that might not actually be true. My least favourite character was Harvey because of what he does at the end of the book (I won't spoil but it is related to my favourite part). (By the way, for my favourite part I don't actually like what happens I just find it the most interesting.)
Marshal Bubbles Rubber-duck 18.12.2023
Star Reviewer
I enjoyed the book and it taught me many of the hardships that refugees go through.
Prince Augustus Eragon 06.12.2023
What a beautiful book .. 3.7
Dame Aspidistra Armadillo 11.09.2021
This was very good anbd was filled with lots off mystery
Anonymous 17.08.2020
This is a great book. Some parts are funny, some emotional. I would highly recommend it!
Anonymous 08.08.2020
It was a great book to read and I definately recommend it to anyone of any age because it is such a good book.
Anonymous 20.08.2019
I really loved this book it was so interesting and towards the end I felt really emotional and nearly cried. I only started reading this because I saw it in my school library and I liked the way the narrator was portraying this story. This book is great for people with a vivid imagination. This book is a fiction book based on factual consequences and terrible incidents. I love this book and would recommend this to teenagers and even to adults. All audience would love this book.
Anonymous 19.07.2018
This is a book about life on a refugee camp. It was an emotional rollercoaster and left me in tears. Due to the subjects in the book, I would recommend it specifically for teenagers like myself.
Anonymous 29.03.2018
this book had good story but was a little too dark for me.
Anonymous 19.08.2017
This is a Excellent book, its is based in a refugee camp but than one night Subhi, the first baby to be born in Za-atari refugee camp, sees something... Is it real or his imagination? Book was very very sad, bring some tissues!
Anonymous 11.08.2017
It is sent in a refuge detention centre about a frendship between sibhuni and jimmine.one lives outside the detenion centre and one lives in it.when jimmine get sick sibhuni escapes from the detention centre and help his friend get medical help.and when she is well she gives sibhuni the bone sparrow and it signifyes hope and not death
Anonymous 26.07.2017
The book is an amazing tale of a young boy who has no memories except from in a refugee camp, where he was born. The story is his search for freedom, and memories. I fully recommend this book for older readers, ages 11+.
Anonymous 16.07.2017
This was a good book, though was about a very sad subject and included deaths. It is about a boy called Subhi who has lived all his live in refugee detention in Australia and he makes friends with a girl who visits him from a local town. They become frends and help each other. It makes you think about issues in the world
Anonymous 17.12.2016
