Customer Reviews

Refugee Boy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The topic of refugees is timely and pressing. However, the characters in Refugee Boy are, at best, two-dimensional; it is impossible to empathise with them, because they do not feel real.

For a book that offers engaging characters, as well as being informative, turn to Beverly Naidoo's The Other Side of Truth. The vitality and depth of the characters makes their situation much more urgent and accessible.

This story is about a boy, Alem Kelo. Alem lived in Africa. He lived there with his two parents. His father was Ethopian and his mother was Eritrean. At the time of this story, Ethopia and Eritrea are at war with each other. So the Kelo family are welcome nowhere. In Ethopia, people would tell Alem's father to leave his wife and child. And Alem was picked on and beat up with school. So they went to Eritrea. Where they actually found similar situations. Alem's parents decided it would be best if we were out of Africa during the war. So that he could be in a safer environment, where his parents do not have to fear for his life. So Alem's father, Mr. Kelo, takes Alem on a "holiday" to England. Pays for four days at a hotel and for two days they go out and look around. But on the morning of the third day, Mr. Kelo leaves without telling Alem. Though he does leave a letter. Mr. Kelo left to go back to Africa to try to stop the war between Ethopia and Eritrea. If he could not success, him and Mrs. Kelo would come back to England and they'd stay there with Alem until the war was over. Eventually Alem lives with foster parents. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald. While his stay with them, a letter his father wrote him reached Alem. And it told him that his mother was dead. Of course Alem is overcome with grief and filled with pain and sorrow. But he doesn't let it get in the way of school, or make him forget his manners. While developing a very warm relationship with the Fitzgeralds, especially their daughter Ruth (who becomes like a sister), Mr. Kelo comes to England to be with Alem. But the government wants to send them both back to Africa. During the attempt to try to have them accepted into England, Alem's father is shot and dies. Alem's request to stay in England is granted and he stays with the Fitzgeralds. Though I do not think he recovered quickly over time his heart begins to heal. And he becomes a man that I am very sure his parents would feel very proud of.

Refugee Boy is a book that can be great and mediocre. It was interesting learning about Ethiopia and Eritria in this context. The book does provide young people with a necessary world perspective. It can be a great tool for English teachers to humanize the idea of immigration. This author also opens up the world of England to students who know little about it. I think a lot of good cultural and multifaceted global discussions are created through having students read Refugee Boy.

It seemed as if there were a lot of opportunities here with the subject matter to make students feel more compassionate, understanding, and interested overall in the story line/topics. Yet, it seems like Zephaniah comes up short here. The story seems to be too surface level at times, and I was never sucked into reading this book. I wonder how interested students will be in reading it in its entirety. It most definitely is not an intimidating book for students to read, so this is a plus!

I give this book three stars. Don't overlook the options that this book does create for your classroom or children, but don't expect your ideas and world to be dramatically revolutionized.

I teach in a primarily African American community, and when it came time to teach British literature, I found a shocking lack of Black authors in the textbook and in our school's book lists. A friend in Scotland suggested several authors and particularly recommended Zephaniah. I couldn't put this book down, and that's one of my requirements for books to offer to my students. I think it is essential for my students to (1) read; (2) see the wider world and their potential role in it; (3) discover the needs and values of other cultures. My students typically are not readers, but I have had success this year by offering them only books that the booksellers and librarians can't keep on the shelves, and books that I can't put down. This book gives that larger picture in a format that my students can access, and they will increase their vocabulary and interest in reading.

What I liked about this book: it taught me a lot about the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. So for its educational aspect I enjoyed it. However, the theme of African refugees in England is time-worn and cliched. Naidoo (On the Other Side of Truth, Chain of Fire) does it better and more engagingly. So if you want to have a mini-tutorial on Ethiopian/Eritrean history, read this. If you want a good book about refugees, go somewhere else.