Boy 87

Boy 87 maybe a novel book but is actually a kind of emotional book and also is kind of adventurous I have read with my class and yet I feel like reading it again . I know Ele Fountain has made other books and I am just about ready for reading them

This was such an emotional read; gripping but sad to hear of the nightmares facing boys in these African countries. Imagining the life that Shif had before being abducted and the struggles barely surviving his ordeal felt insurmountable. He never gives up on hope, remains strong for his family and especially in honouring his friendship with Bini. The relationships are described wonderfully.

This is an emotional story and shows the lives of many people.

I found the story equally poignant and powerful. What Shif and other families have to endure in those countries is horrific and inhumane. The characters and the relationships that are made are depicted wonderfully, Whilst setting the scene for families struggling through life in these impoverished countries, the people are portrayed full of hope and resilience. Ele describes the culture and the realism vividly albeit leaving much to the imagination so that it appeals to younger readers without too much trauma.

I think this book is interesting as much as it is full of tragedies,it tells us how things used to happen and some might still happen up to date.This book is really fun to read even though it is fiction, it tells about real life.My favourite character is Shif.Mostly because he is the main character. I would totally recommend it to someone else.

This book is a really good book because this will be a great book for people whoa are interested in war,fighting and sad stories.I recommend it to other people to read

Loved this book!!!

it was very upsetting in parts and a challenge to read but it was interesting and I learnt a lot looking up references to items that I did not know.

I tough read but worth it

This was a sobering book which showed the fear and horror for refugees.

Highly emotive tale which I really couldn't put down.

A fictional story about a boy in an unnamed country who is forced to flee for his own survival. Shif and his best friend Bini are on the cusp of leaving the country when soldiers find them first and take them away to a prison camp near the border. Their hunger, fear and desperation are palpable - and their story makes you reflect on what drives so many people to undertake such a dangerous journey and leave behind their home. This is a quick, gripping read - where the action and reflection are well balanced.

It was so easy to read I read it in two days. It flows nicely and was so gripping I struggled to put it down. The topic seems very appropriate to understand other people across the world and what they are going through. A useful topic to talk to my child and students about.

This gripping novel takes you on a journey. A boy Shif, who is a refugee, tries to make it safely over to England. If you read other books like refugee boy or illegal you are sure to enjoy this. I couldn’t put it down .Ele fountain you have done a good job

A very emotional book. It is incredible

A harrowing story of a desperate break for freedom and safety from a country wracked by war. Although a difficult read at times, it is completely unmissable and should be read by everyone who feels part of our world and wants to reach out to their neighbours. The main character Shif’s journey is full of challenges, but his courage is immense and all who read it will feel inspired in so many ways. It is a book of spirit and hope and completely relevant for our world today. Brilliant! Just ordered ‘Lost’ and can’t wait!!

A great book and also very relevant and timely. Engages children but a cracking read for adults too. Highly recommended

I would recommend this book to others

Loved this book. Read it for a transition project for school. It is so adventurous and heartbreaking at the same time.

In my previous life as a solicitor, I did a lot of work for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children so their stories are close to my heart. I think this book is extremely well written and an absolutely great introduction to the plight of refugees - great to read to students in conjunction with some "own voices" stories.

Absolutely gripping, had to keep reading until I found out what happened to the main character Shif, a boy refugee. The story starts with him arriving on a dinghy in the UK. The rest of the story is about what led up to this arrival. It is SO well written and suitable for older primary onwards. Would most definitely recommend. Provocative, compelling with a hopeful, but not a fairy tale ending.

Boy 87 tells the story of immigrants trying to flee to Europe through the eyes of Shif, an innocent and unknowing eleven-year-old boy. This heat breaking book perfectly captures the often-over-looked struggles of refuges throughout the world as well as addressing the catastrophic greed in it caused by money. And while all hope seems lost in our world Ele Fountin promotes the message of how the younger generation can fix the flaws in society from learning from their forebear’s mistakes.

Great Book! A moving, inspiring and epic story with lots of twists and exciting parts. This book is about a boy who has to travel away from his family and friends and journey on an adventure to help others. I would recommend it to any reader above the age of 10 and people who like finding out about the hardships others in the world face some of the time. I love this book and you should too!

The ending was rubbish but the book was fine

I would recommend this book to Kids 10+ because it is heartbreaking and tragic but there is always hope.
If I had to choose a favourite character it would have to be Bini because he helped his friend for as long as he could then when it comes to a matter of life and deaf he lets his friend go.

Following the perilous journey of a refugee, this book shows that you have to be grateful for what you have, and keep on going no matter how tough something is. After attempting to escape from his home (and therefore military school) he is caught by soldiers, who are searching the village. Put in prison with his best friend, Bini, he learns the stories of the other men there, and promises to help them: by escaping. However, as they journey across the desert, Bini is shot, but after a few days of wandering, Shif (Boy 87) finds a small town. He has crossed the border. Spending a few days there, he meets a refugee family, who take him in, and allow him to go with the smuggler they have found to take them to Europe. Halfway through this journey, some people are injured after a freak accident, including Almaz's (who is the daughter of the refugee family). Now trekking, Shif and Almaz make it to the beach, where they're picked up by a boat. Nearly dying from hypothermia, they are rescued together by a helicopter, and are free to pursue their new life and dreams.

This is a fictional book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes adventure books or books filled with tension. My favourite characters were Bini and Almaz.

This book was very exciting and a little bit scary too. My favourite part was when Shiff was at the camp trying to survive. It was written in first person, which made me like the character Shiff more.

This book is amazing! I love it so much! It has such an interesting adventure about a , boy called Shif. Thank you so much Ele for making this book.

This was a good book, written in the first person past tense, about a boy who tries to escape from his country but is caught and held in a camp. He escapes, and tries to make it to England in a boat. I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of the other books I have read, mainly because I did not like the way it ended - it was very sudden.