The Ones That Disappeared
As seen:
By Zana Fraillon
avg rating
3 reviews
Beautiful, magical and moving, this is a SKELLIG for a new generation, from the author of THE BONE SPARROW, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2017 and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016.
Some stories need to be told… A moving, beautifully-written and poignant novel about child trafficking and the search for freedom.
Kept by a ruthless gang, three children manage to escape from slavery. But freedom isn’t just waiting on the outside.
Separated, scared and looking after a small child, Esra will do whatever she can to reunite with her friend Miran, who was captured by the police – the police who she mustn’t trust.
Hiding in the shadows of the forest, Esra is found by a local boy, a boy with his own story. Together they will create a man out of mud. A man who will come to life and lead them through a dark labyrinth of tunnels until they finally have the courage the step above ground. Until they finally have the courage to speak their story. Until they finally have the courage to be free.
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I thought this was fab. Very moving. The ending was a bit odd though. Unlikely and out of keeping in many ways. I wondered whether it was meant to be received literally or metaphorically?
An inspiring story about three children's escape from slavery, having lost their families when fleeing from war. Although fictional, it is extremely relevant to current issues and I would definitely recommend this to fellow teaching staff and children (11+). Some reviews have named it "a Skellig for a new generation"!
This book was quite different to what I thought it would be, but I don't think that it could have been any better. Although this book is fiction, it has taught me lots about friendship, standing up for what you believe in and also the Slave Trade. It follows three children who were sold into slavery, and although there are many fictional elements, so many people are in a similar situation to these children all over the world, just nobody knows it. This book raises awareness for a terrible issue, through a wonderful story; I absolutely loved this book and would definitely recommend it.
