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Новенький
Что, если один из твоих одноклассников – робот? Когда в начале года в школу приводят новенького, все думают, что он просто странный. Джордж ведёт себя не как все. Джордж думает не как все. Но он умеет играть в футбол и жевать чипсы – и этого достаточно, чтобы Данни, Макси и их одноклассники приняли его в компанию. Ведь он – совсем как они. Не считая того, что он робот – мультимиллионный проект секретной лаборатории – и обречён на уничтожение. Смогут ли новые друзья его спасти? И можно ли дать роботу свободу?
Дэвид Алмонд, лауреат премии Андерсена, предлагает задуматься: что значит быть человеком? Но и похихикать читатели смогут вволю!
Дэвид Алмонд, лауреат премии Андерсена, предлагает задуматься: что значит быть человеком? Но и похихикать читатели смогут вволю!
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2020
18 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
David Almond
121 books823 followersDavid Almond is a British children's writer who has penned several novels, each one to critical acclaim. He was born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the University of East Anglia. When he was young, he found his love of writing when some short stories of his were published in a local magazine. He started out as an author of adult fiction before finding his niche writing literature for young adults.
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 31, 2020
3.5☆ A Unique and Intriguing Middle Grade Read.
Brand New Boy is a unique story and not like anything I have read before.
This is also my first encounter with this author.
This is a story that looks into acceptance, friendships, education and fitting in.
I'm not really sure how to write up my review without potentially giving anything away.
George was the new boy in school.
He was very very different to the other children, yet everyone wanted to be his friend. All the children wanted to help him and uncover why he was so different.
But strange things were happening... why was someone following George round making notes on his every move?
Just who is George?
I enjoyed Brand New Boy and definitely feel that this book is perfect for middle grade readers, it just didn't hold my attention. I appreciate I'm not the target audience hence why I do think it will be more suited to them. But for me I didn't click with the plot and found it was too much of a slower paced read for me.
That said the illustrations are beautiful and definitely adds that special touch.
Thank you to Walker Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily
Brand New Boy is a unique story and not like anything I have read before.
This is also my first encounter with this author.
This is a story that looks into acceptance, friendships, education and fitting in.
I'm not really sure how to write up my review without potentially giving anything away.
George was the new boy in school.
He was very very different to the other children, yet everyone wanted to be his friend. All the children wanted to help him and uncover why he was so different.
But strange things were happening... why was someone following George round making notes on his every move?
Just who is George?
I enjoyed Brand New Boy and definitely feel that this book is perfect for middle grade readers, it just didn't hold my attention. I appreciate I'm not the target audience hence why I do think it will be more suited to them. But for me I didn't click with the plot and found it was too much of a slower paced read for me.
That said the illustrations are beautiful and definitely adds that special touch.
Thank you to Walker Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily
December 13, 2020
If Ken Loach wrote Black Mirror, it would lead to something like this. The quiet Goliath of children’s literature has given another masterclass with Brand New Boy.
I have a soft spot for David Almond’s writing as it always gives me a rush of Northern pride alongside every other feeling he so reliably conjures. Again set up in the North East, Almond’s new book tells of the arrival of a strange new student at Darwin Primary Academy.
George - the brand new boy - seems peculiar. His responses are stiff and formal. He is followed and watched by the cold and immovable Miss Crystal and out of the black van emerges Mr Eden Marsh, both of whom are from a shady organisation.
In language that is well pitched for 8 year olds upwards, Almond deftly introduces many complex ideas and notions about free will, imagination, progress, childhood and education. In the spirited characters of Dan and Maxi, and Dan’s loving warm mother, we see the beauty of the ordinary, set against the hollowness of Miss Crystal and Eden Marsh. Almond shows us what is being undervalued in the pursuit of technological progress - imagination, silliness, love, care, relationships, laughter, creativity… childhood itself.
Marta Altés’s illustrations support the lightness of Almond’s writing, and keep the magic realist scenes on the right side of scary.
There are lots of smart references throughout. Eden Marsh is very transparently Elon Musk, whose pursuit of innovation ignores the beauty of the everyday, at the New Life Corporation. Darwin Primary Academy alludes to evolution. Mum’s salon ‘The New You’. All of this pursuit of newness and perfection overlooks the age-old values of play and friendship.
The scenes set in schools are so brilliantly written. Like Almond showed in The Savage and My Name Is Mina, he has an uncanny way of capturing the lively talk of the children. It doesn’t feel invented - it just feels like appearing in a Tyneside classroom. The lessons are creative, again reminding us of the mundane achievements that all children make - they invent and imagine in a way nobody else can, and we don’t value it enough. For what it’s worth, I also like how Almond calls bollocks on the way that schools can be complicit in the harrowing out of childhood, and in the similarities between the ethics of the school and the New Life Corporation.
As is perhaps clear, I am a devotee of Almond, and Brand New Boy only cements that. Whilst still hovering within the realms magical realism, it was great to see Almond tackle technology. His writing always takes the side of the child, and perhaps never more so than in Brand New Boy; beside Dan, Maxi, Billy and Louise, we face the faceless drive for technological advance, and we say ‘no, we want to play in the woods’.
I have a soft spot for David Almond’s writing as it always gives me a rush of Northern pride alongside every other feeling he so reliably conjures. Again set up in the North East, Almond’s new book tells of the arrival of a strange new student at Darwin Primary Academy.
George - the brand new boy - seems peculiar. His responses are stiff and formal. He is followed and watched by the cold and immovable Miss Crystal and out of the black van emerges Mr Eden Marsh, both of whom are from a shady organisation.
In language that is well pitched for 8 year olds upwards, Almond deftly introduces many complex ideas and notions about free will, imagination, progress, childhood and education. In the spirited characters of Dan and Maxi, and Dan’s loving warm mother, we see the beauty of the ordinary, set against the hollowness of Miss Crystal and Eden Marsh. Almond shows us what is being undervalued in the pursuit of technological progress - imagination, silliness, love, care, relationships, laughter, creativity… childhood itself.
Marta Altés’s illustrations support the lightness of Almond’s writing, and keep the magic realist scenes on the right side of scary.
There are lots of smart references throughout. Eden Marsh is very transparently Elon Musk, whose pursuit of innovation ignores the beauty of the everyday, at the New Life Corporation. Darwin Primary Academy alludes to evolution. Mum’s salon ‘The New You’. All of this pursuit of newness and perfection overlooks the age-old values of play and friendship.
The scenes set in schools are so brilliantly written. Like Almond showed in The Savage and My Name Is Mina, he has an uncanny way of capturing the lively talk of the children. It doesn’t feel invented - it just feels like appearing in a Tyneside classroom. The lessons are creative, again reminding us of the mundane achievements that all children make - they invent and imagine in a way nobody else can, and we don’t value it enough. For what it’s worth, I also like how Almond calls bollocks on the way that schools can be complicit in the harrowing out of childhood, and in the similarities between the ethics of the school and the New Life Corporation.
As is perhaps clear, I am a devotee of Almond, and Brand New Boy only cements that. Whilst still hovering within the realms magical realism, it was great to see Almond tackle technology. His writing always takes the side of the child, and perhaps never more so than in Brand New Boy; beside Dan, Maxi, Billy and Louise, we face the faceless drive for technological advance, and we say ‘no, we want to play in the woods’.
November 4, 2025
Romanzo molto originale che racconta l'amicizia di un gruppo di bambini con un ragazzino molto "speciale" di nome George.
È un libro che tratta, come tematiche principali, il ruolo dell'intelligenza artificiale e la sua espansione nella vita di tutti i giorni e l'inclusione di persone "diverse" ma contemporaneamente uniche e speciali.
Daniel, Maxie, Billy e Louise hanno un cuore grande e la loro spontaneità, gentilezza e voglia di vivere aiutano George ad essere più "umano" e felice.
Almond si mostra uno scrittore poliedrico, fra i migliori della letteratura per "ragazzi" contemporanea.
Lettura consigliata.
"La vita in sé è infinita, ... è la meraviglia dell'universo. ... è la forza che muove ogni cosa nel tempo".
È un libro che tratta, come tematiche principali, il ruolo dell'intelligenza artificiale e la sua espansione nella vita di tutti i giorni e l'inclusione di persone "diverse" ma contemporaneamente uniche e speciali.
Daniel, Maxie, Billy e Louise hanno un cuore grande e la loro spontaneità, gentilezza e voglia di vivere aiutano George ad essere più "umano" e felice.
Almond si mostra uno scrittore poliedrico, fra i migliori della letteratura per "ragazzi" contemporanea.
Lettura consigliata.
"La vita in sé è infinita, ... è la meraviglia dell'universo. ... è la forza che muove ogni cosa nel tempo".
October 7, 2022
4.5 stars
Daniel and Maxie are intrigued when a new boy comes to school. They can't figure out if the new boy, George, is just a shy person or if maybe he has a developmental disorder. Max good-naturedly jokes that George might be an alien! They reach out to befriend him, but George's behavior is a little odd. George is definitely weird, but after all... everyone in school is weird in their own unique ways. Daniel and Max, along with some other friends in their class, take George under their wing, inviting him to play football/soccer with them, and they are surprised by the interesting way George becomes their friend. Could George be something more than they ever realized?
I loved this book so much! All the characters have such beautifully complex and yet somehow simple personalities; simple because they are just so relatable, so they are easy to understand, and complex with all the crazy weirdness of all humanity.
I love love loved the teachers in the school! They are so dynamic and excited about their subject. The history teacher gets everyone to imagine that they are part of an explorer ship in Magellan's time. The music teacher knows just how to develop the music talents of each student, and give them the confidence to join in. She's really inspiring! As a music teacher myself, this resonated with me in a special way.
I loved that there was no question of bullying anywhere in the class. From the moment they met him, the whole class rallied around George to support and accept him. Even when he said strange things or did something weird, no one teased or insulted him. They just tried to understand and to act with kindness. It's refreshing to have a story about a weird kid and the main plot does NOT revolve around defeating a bully as the villain.
The writing style is so thoughtful and pensive. Daniel and his friends really ponder over the big questions in life, and I loved the way that their philosophical contemplations merge into the plot and drive their actions.
The plot is a bit slow, but it feels right for this type of story. We take the time to analyze all the nuances of what Daniel and his friends value in this world, and then when the plot is pushed forward because of their values, it is so satisfying! I liked the slow plot, and it never felt like it dragged. It felt restful.
This is such a beautiful book! I loved the positive moral messages and the lovely characters and the interesting plot. There are also excellent illustrations throughout the book that brought a lot of emotion into the story!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Daniel and Maxie are intrigued when a new boy comes to school. They can't figure out if the new boy, George, is just a shy person or if maybe he has a developmental disorder. Max good-naturedly jokes that George might be an alien! They reach out to befriend him, but George's behavior is a little odd. George is definitely weird, but after all... everyone in school is weird in their own unique ways. Daniel and Max, along with some other friends in their class, take George under their wing, inviting him to play football/soccer with them, and they are surprised by the interesting way George becomes their friend. Could George be something more than they ever realized?
I loved this book so much! All the characters have such beautifully complex and yet somehow simple personalities; simple because they are just so relatable, so they are easy to understand, and complex with all the crazy weirdness of all humanity.
I love love loved the teachers in the school! They are so dynamic and excited about their subject. The history teacher gets everyone to imagine that they are part of an explorer ship in Magellan's time. The music teacher knows just how to develop the music talents of each student, and give them the confidence to join in. She's really inspiring! As a music teacher myself, this resonated with me in a special way.
I loved that there was no question of bullying anywhere in the class. From the moment they met him, the whole class rallied around George to support and accept him. Even when he said strange things or did something weird, no one teased or insulted him. They just tried to understand and to act with kindness. It's refreshing to have a story about a weird kid and the main plot does NOT revolve around defeating a bully as the villain.
The writing style is so thoughtful and pensive. Daniel and his friends really ponder over the big questions in life, and I loved the way that their philosophical contemplations merge into the plot and drive their actions.
The plot is a bit slow, but it feels right for this type of story. We take the time to analyze all the nuances of what Daniel and his friends value in this world, and then when the plot is pushed forward because of their values, it is so satisfying! I liked the slow plot, and it never felt like it dragged. It felt restful.
This is such a beautiful book! I loved the positive moral messages and the lovely characters and the interesting plot. There are also excellent illustrations throughout the book that brought a lot of emotion into the story!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
April 23, 2022
(نسخهای که خوندم «پسر کاملا جدید» بود با ترجمهی شهلا انتظاریان، نشر ایرانبان. ۲۸۴ صفحه. سلام به لایبررینها.)
March 4, 2024
I love MYSTERIES and it was a great book!
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May 25, 2021Even though I am not normally a massive fan of middle grade, I have read and enjoyed some of David Almond's books in the past, so I wanted to give this one a go. I was pleased that I read this one because it captures what it is like to be a child and grow up.
So first I am going to get the negatives out the way. I think that at the start that the main characters seem to think a lot older than they were. This also seemed to match the ending, which I felt was kind of rushed, and it felt slightly strange and again, something that children would not do. I don't know, maybe it is just me.
I really did like George as a character, and I think that David Almond did a great job of building up tension in the book over his character. I liked seeing the hints towards George, and I like how I was guessing what George was until it was finally revealed. I also don't blame the kids that didn't want to find out as I would definitely be the same at 12.
Due to all of this, it did give me E.T vibes because the relationships between the characters were heightened, and David Almond does do a great job of making this really important. Especially after a major plot point happened, I felt like the characters really came together and were united for George. It was lovely about how friendship was at the core of the book.
The illustrations were also a highlight of the book, and they added to the story. I did love them, and I think that Maria and the parts of the story that she picked some features of story that were great to see in the book.
As a lot of books are set in the South, so the Northern setting was a nice change. Also, this went into the dialogue as well, so it added to to the Northern feel of the story.
The Verdict:
Brand New Boy is a great new book by David Almond that explores the heights of friendship.
So first I am going to get the negatives out the way. I think that at the start that the main characters seem to think a lot older than they were. This also seemed to match the ending, which I felt was kind of rushed, and it felt slightly strange and again, something that children would not do. I don't know, maybe it is just me.
I really did like George as a character, and I think that David Almond did a great job of building up tension in the book over his character. I liked seeing the hints towards George, and I like how I was guessing what George was until it was finally revealed. I also don't blame the kids that didn't want to find out as I would definitely be the same at 12.
Due to all of this, it did give me E.T vibes because the relationships between the characters were heightened, and David Almond does do a great job of making this really important. Especially after a major plot point happened, I felt like the characters really came together and were united for George. It was lovely about how friendship was at the core of the book.
The illustrations were also a highlight of the book, and they added to the story. I did love them, and I think that Maria and the parts of the story that she picked some features of story that were great to see in the book.
As a lot of books are set in the South, so the Northern setting was a nice change. Also, this went into the dialogue as well, so it added to to the Northern feel of the story.
The Verdict:
Brand New Boy is a great new book by David Almond that explores the heights of friendship.
January 16, 2022
Αν και αγαπώ τον συγκεκριμένο συγγραφέα, αυτό το βιβλίο λίγο το βαρέθηκα. Ωραίο θέμα, όμως αρκετή πολυλογία. Κρίμα…
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January 31, 2024Imearmas robotilugu. Selline asimovlikus vaimus lugu poisist, kes vajab armastust täpselt samamoodi nagu kõik teised poisid. Aga rõhk on minu jaoks natuke liiga tugevalt olmelistel tegelastel.
June 17, 2022
Daniel is sitting with his best mate Maxie in the school hall. They are mucking about while the head teacher is leading the assembly in the usual Monday morning song. But she seems distracted, as if she’s waiting for something. As the school orchestra plays to the end of the song, and the students sing along with them, a boy and a woman step into the hall.
Mrs Hoolihan claps her hands at the end of the song and after a little whispering with the woman, introduces the boy.
“This is a new boy. His name is George.”
George seems a little odd, but it’s his first day after all, and everyone is a bit weird on their first day. Daniel is asked to look after George as they will be in the same class. Daniel and his classmates are intrigued by the new kid as he is a bit different. George takes a little while to adjust to things in class, but after a few minutes of watching and listening to a maths game he joins in and amazes all with his quick thinking.
They soon discover that George is smart in lots of subjects, polite, writes very neatly and seems shy. But he is a little odd. Daniel can’t put his finger on it. Is it because he is followed everywhere by the lady who came with him to school. She asks everyone to forget she is in the corner watching everything, but it is hard to ignore her scribbling in her notebook. Is it the way George doesn’t answer half the questions tossed at him by their teacher or classmates?
When George and the woman are collected at lunchtime by a man in a big black van, George acts even more strangely. Is there something wrong with George? Worried but still intrigued, George is the hot topic of the school until he comes back again. The more time they spend with him, the more they like him, despite his strange behaviour.
Daniel is asked to have George over after school, but again, the woman follows with her notebook. What is going on?
Soon all is revealed in another assembly. George is not who or what they thought he was. But Daniel and his friends know George is more than his minders say he is, and they are determined to prove it.
This is a thought provoking story for any who reads it. Everyone is always interested when a new kid comes to school. Who are they? Where have they come from? What sports/music/animals/hobbies do they like or enjoy? This is no different when a Brand New Boy named George arrives at Darwin Avenue Primary Academy. But something’s different about George.
A predictable reveal answers this question but in pure Almond style, there is so much more to this read than just a new kid at school. George is being moulded to conform to normal child behaviour in a school environment, but observations (not subtle) are made for the reader that we too in life are moulded like robots to conform to ‘normal’ predictable behaviour. Stand up, sit down, in assemblies, go to class, eat your lunch, go to class, go home, every day as expected. Who are really the robots?
It’s only when Daniel and his mates are away from those expectations of behaviour that true living, freedom and imaginative spirit can soar. Time in a local wood where they all played as a child, brings back all that imagination and further builds upon it. George may be able to do amazing things when programmed, but can he think, dream, imagine, and truly enjoy life as we humans can?
Technology is constantly evolving in incredible ways, but can it ever reach the wonder that it is to be human?
Mrs Hoolihan claps her hands at the end of the song and after a little whispering with the woman, introduces the boy.
“This is a new boy. His name is George.”
George seems a little odd, but it’s his first day after all, and everyone is a bit weird on their first day. Daniel is asked to look after George as they will be in the same class. Daniel and his classmates are intrigued by the new kid as he is a bit different. George takes a little while to adjust to things in class, but after a few minutes of watching and listening to a maths game he joins in and amazes all with his quick thinking.
They soon discover that George is smart in lots of subjects, polite, writes very neatly and seems shy. But he is a little odd. Daniel can’t put his finger on it. Is it because he is followed everywhere by the lady who came with him to school. She asks everyone to forget she is in the corner watching everything, but it is hard to ignore her scribbling in her notebook. Is it the way George doesn’t answer half the questions tossed at him by their teacher or classmates?
When George and the woman are collected at lunchtime by a man in a big black van, George acts even more strangely. Is there something wrong with George? Worried but still intrigued, George is the hot topic of the school until he comes back again. The more time they spend with him, the more they like him, despite his strange behaviour.
Daniel is asked to have George over after school, but again, the woman follows with her notebook. What is going on?
Soon all is revealed in another assembly. George is not who or what they thought he was. But Daniel and his friends know George is more than his minders say he is, and they are determined to prove it.
This is a thought provoking story for any who reads it. Everyone is always interested when a new kid comes to school. Who are they? Where have they come from? What sports/music/animals/hobbies do they like or enjoy? This is no different when a Brand New Boy named George arrives at Darwin Avenue Primary Academy. But something’s different about George.
A predictable reveal answers this question but in pure Almond style, there is so much more to this read than just a new kid at school. George is being moulded to conform to normal child behaviour in a school environment, but observations (not subtle) are made for the reader that we too in life are moulded like robots to conform to ‘normal’ predictable behaviour. Stand up, sit down, in assemblies, go to class, eat your lunch, go to class, go home, every day as expected. Who are really the robots?
It’s only when Daniel and his mates are away from those expectations of behaviour that true living, freedom and imaginative spirit can soar. Time in a local wood where they all played as a child, brings back all that imagination and further builds upon it. George may be able to do amazing things when programmed, but can he think, dream, imagine, and truly enjoy life as we humans can?
Technology is constantly evolving in incredible ways, but can it ever reach the wonder that it is to be human?
May 27, 2022
Brand New Boy starts with George, the new kid at school who is just not like everyone else. Readers will quickly figure out that he is an AI/robot/android type creation and will see what is coming, but the journey is still worthwhile. Daniel, his best friend Maxie and others in their class work to help George be more than just the multimillion pound advance that his creators seem to think he and in the process, discover elements that are true of all of us. Author David Almond and illustrator Marta Altes are from England and the text reveals that repeatedly through the use of vernacular like Mam for Mom, bairn for baby, and terms like second sitting and crisps are sprinkled throughout. Some US readers may lack the context clues skills to determine meaning of everything and may become irritated at repeated uses of Miss when addressing anyone female and bloke for anyone male. I could not find out if the US editions of Brand New Boy would have vocabulary more familiar to American middle grade students. Another issue with vocabulary that might make this a difficult book to purchase for school libraries is the frequency that the word “hell” appears in student conversation. If purchased, a good pairing would be Margaret Peterson Haddix’s School For Whatnots.
Thanks for the print arc, Candlewick Press.
Thanks for the print arc, Candlewick Press.
July 9, 2022
Darwin Avenue Primary Academy is as average a school as it gets, and exactly where George gets sent to visit. This new boy is a little strange, and is constantly tailed by Miss Crystal, a lady taking notes.
George writes in perfect lines, does complicated math and plays awesome football. But as it turns out, George’s makers are the “New Life Corporation” and he’s but a million-pound investment about to be recycled into parts to make way for George Version 2.
Here’s where you begin to realise that David Almond is proving his chops again. The award-winning author of Skellig, and The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas (illustrated by Oliver Jeffers) shows all of this from the innocence of a child’s eyes.
Daniel, and his bestie, Maxie, just want to get George on his own, away from his minders, away from all the weirdos. Who’s the one that’s weird anyway?
“At one moment, he seemed like the rest of us, and the next he was hardly like a boy at all.
Maybe he’s not even human.
But he touched all of us.
And when he’s not here, it’s like he leaves a hole in all our lives.”
Almond spouts a lot of truisms and this book has such a good heart. All children are “entirely new” and to be treasured.
Lots of food for thought for young readers 9+ about what is in fact being different, and AI or not, the beauty of a child’s simplicity of purpose.
📚: @definitelybookskids
George writes in perfect lines, does complicated math and plays awesome football. But as it turns out, George’s makers are the “New Life Corporation” and he’s but a million-pound investment about to be recycled into parts to make way for George Version 2.
Here’s where you begin to realise that David Almond is proving his chops again. The award-winning author of Skellig, and The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas (illustrated by Oliver Jeffers) shows all of this from the innocence of a child’s eyes.
Daniel, and his bestie, Maxie, just want to get George on his own, away from his minders, away from all the weirdos. Who’s the one that’s weird anyway?
“At one moment, he seemed like the rest of us, and the next he was hardly like a boy at all.
Maybe he’s not even human.
But he touched all of us.
And when he’s not here, it’s like he leaves a hole in all our lives.”
Almond spouts a lot of truisms and this book has such a good heart. All children are “entirely new” and to be treasured.
Lots of food for thought for young readers 9+ about what is in fact being different, and AI or not, the beauty of a child’s simplicity of purpose.
📚: @definitelybookskids
August 31, 2022
David Almond always gives us a story to enjoy, one that is thought-filled beneath all the action. That "brand new boy" whose name is George arrives at school one day, with a companion who sits in the back of the room, taking notes and helping him talk when needed. It's a complete mystery who this new student is, and before they realize it, Miss Crystal says it's enough for the first day and takes him away. Daniel and Maxie are buddies, but along with them come Billy and Louise, entering an adventure they will remember for all their lives. If you want to read about loving kindness and what being a boy (or girl) really means in the great adventure called 'life', this is the read. Daniel tells the story, and Almond layers it with school friends, teachers and administrators, an understanding and loving mom, recess monitors, and even kindergarten fairies! You'll see, all the school you know is there. A few illustrations by Marta Altes are fun!
Out in 2020 in the UK, thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy.
Out in 2020 in the UK, thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy.
October 12, 2022
Ik had een aantal reviews gelezen waar mensen enthousiast over dit boek waren. Uiteindelijk zelf ook het boek gepakt, had er hoge verwachtingen van. Kwam misschien ook omdat ik enthousiast was over 'Mijn broer is een robot' en hoopte ook zo enthousiast te zijn over dit boek met hetzelfde thema. Maar helaas...
Het boek is erg toegankelijk, maar het kon mij niet echt boeien. Nog heb ik doorgelezen en er zullen zeker kinderen op de basisschool zijn die nieuwsgierig naar de nieuwe jongen zijn en gauw doorhebben (eerder dan de kinderen in het verhaal) dat George een robot is. Dit boek is erg passend bij de exploderende dimensie en de doelgroep is groep 7/8. Een schoolverhaal doet het altijd goed en ook de illustraties zullen aanspreken. Niet een aanrader om voor te lezen, maar als je het boek toevallig in de schoolbieb hebt staan kun je het zeker onder de aandacht brengen. Misschien is er een tweetal leerlingen die voor een boekenkring willen uitzoeken wie de nieuwe jongen is?
Het boek is erg toegankelijk, maar het kon mij niet echt boeien. Nog heb ik doorgelezen en er zullen zeker kinderen op de basisschool zijn die nieuwsgierig naar de nieuwe jongen zijn en gauw doorhebben (eerder dan de kinderen in het verhaal) dat George een robot is. Dit boek is erg passend bij de exploderende dimensie en de doelgroep is groep 7/8. Een schoolverhaal doet het altijd goed en ook de illustraties zullen aanspreken. Niet een aanrader om voor te lezen, maar als je het boek toevallig in de schoolbieb hebt staan kun je het zeker onder de aandacht brengen. Misschien is er een tweetal leerlingen die voor een boekenkring willen uitzoeken wie de nieuwe jongen is?
September 14, 2021
De nieuwe jongen in de klas is een vreemde snoeshaan. Dat is vanaf het begin duidelijk en ook de kinderen in het verhaal voelen dat meteen. Als lezer begrijp je bijna direct dat George een robot is, en het is daarom vreemd om heel lang het idee te hebben dat de klasgenoten van George dat NIET meteen doorhebben. Omdat ik natuurlijk nieuwsgierig ben wat Almond van plan is met dit verhaal, lees ik door, maar het zou heel goed mogelijk kunnen zijn dat kinderen afhaken. Het lijkt gewoon niet te kloppen, het tolerante gedrag van de kinderen naar deze robotjongen alsof het een gewone jongen is. Maar Almond zet door. En de vraag begint vorm te krijgen, wanneer ben je iemand, en waarom zou een ander mogen beslissen over je hele bestaan, elke stap die je zet, zelfs al ben je een robot. Want waar begint een leven eigenlijk?
Voor kinderen vanaf ca 10 jaar en geschikt voor een leesclub, discussie
Voor kinderen vanaf ca 10 jaar en geschikt voor een leesclub, discussie
March 22, 2023
This book is humorous. I recommend this book for 5th graders. The characters are silly and funny. They remind me of my friends at school. The book kept my interest in solving a mystery of one character. Each chapter gave me more clues. If you love solving mysteries, this book is for you. My favorite character is George. He and all his friends have a British accent. George always says, “I’m perfectly splendid.” He is an interesting boy. My second favorite character is Maxie. He thinks aliens and UFOs are real. Like me, Maxie enjoys eating chips. His favorite chip brand is Crisps. Elementary school students will enjoy reading Brand New Boy for its humor, dramatic plot line, and funny characters.
Review by Dylan N., 10, Mensa of Eastern North Carolina
Review by Dylan N., 10, Mensa of Eastern North Carolina
October 28, 2020
This is a book to encourage children to reflect on what makes them what they are. It opens up a great opportunity to instigate thoughts on humanity and what makes us human. Is it kindness, intelligence, love for pets, empathy, love for food, our parents, our school? Is it freedom to run around inside a forest with your friends? Freedom to be? To choose? Can we as human reproduce artificially what being human means? This book portraits school children who are brave, full of empathy and great friends. I think lots of children will recognise themselves in them. Beautiful book. Highly recommended!
November 23, 2022
An interesting tale of what is "ordinary", and how a sense of what is right can empower. Daniel's school welcomes a new boy who seems removed and odd- but Daniel and his friends take him under their wings, assuming he's been mistreated or hasn't been around kids. In truth, he is a robot- and the kids wind up "saving" him from the company that can't see the humanity in him. Lessons of love, acceptance, capitalism, ego- there is a lot presented here. The story can easily be read as a friendship tale, but with some thought and possibly an older reader's guidance, kids will discover so much more in the tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
I must now allow myself to conclude that I don't like David Almond's books - I know he's won a lot of awards and I had felt as if I should like his books, but now that I've read a few, I must say I have enjoyed none of them, particularly this one. It just felt like way too long a book for what it wanted to say; I didn't see how a bunch of kids would become so invested in a robot that spent just a few hours with them. The characters didn't feel relatable, and the depiction of adults was not nuanced at all. I'm glad I've read a few books by him, though, because, now I can say with confidence that his books aren't my favorite!
October 27, 2022
A group of school mates is given plenty to think about, and is called to action, when a brand new student turns out to be an incredibly lifelike robot.
Readers will be right there with the students (primarily Daniel & Maxie) as they befriend and then advocate for George, who brings out their humanity at the same time it exposes the lack of it from the corporation who owns him.
Thought-provoking - & great to read in middle school, so when AI is discussed in high school and college, people will have some relevant context to draw from.
Readers will be right there with the students (primarily Daniel & Maxie) as they befriend and then advocate for George, who brings out their humanity at the same time it exposes the lack of it from the corporation who owns him.
Thought-provoking - & great to read in middle school, so when AI is discussed in high school and college, people will have some relevant context to draw from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2023
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book for what it was, but I had a bit of a hard time suspending disbelief as far as George's acceptance and the kids' desire to set him free. I did like that the kids recognized the injustice in what was being done to George and that they felt compelled to give him one "real" day of being a normal child. I also liked that the book didn't have a "Hollywood" ending where everything worked out perfectly. However, though I realize this book is science fiction, the implausibility of it all prevented me from enjoying it more.
I enjoyed this book for what it was, but I had a bit of a hard time suspending disbelief as far as George's acceptance and the kids' desire to set him free. I did like that the kids recognized the injustice in what was being done to George and that they felt compelled to give him one "real" day of being a normal child. I also liked that the book didn't have a "Hollywood" ending where everything worked out perfectly. However, though I realize this book is science fiction, the implausibility of it all prevented me from enjoying it more.
November 14, 2020
Man, this was wonderful. A gorgeous story about what makes us human, the power of children and the delight in the future. When a strange new boy arrives at school, Daniel ends up befriending him, but all is not as it seems. I loved the chat about friendship and family in this - were all in the same boat, even though we are all so different. It’s so bloody wonderful to read a book that’s written with a northern twang.
February 19, 2021
A huge fan of how friendship was explored here. It’s about being with people you’re comfortable with and that accept you for who are. The fierce protectiveness they have with each other was heartwarming to see.
This got very, very philosophical. There were many instances where the author speculated about what the mind is made of, what makes someone intelligent.
The characters here deserve the world. Especially the teachers!
The ending seemed rushed. Not a really a fan of how it ended.
This got very, very philosophical. There were many instances where the author speculated about what the mind is made of, what makes someone intelligent.
The characters here deserve the world. Especially the teachers!
The ending seemed rushed. Not a really a fan of how it ended.
July 4, 2022
On a first read through, Brand New Boy felt like an innocuous, solid David Almond story - not one of his best but still packed with meaning and very readable. Then I read it again, read it out loud, and the melody of this wonderful story hit me. It might not be his absolute best work, but Brand New Boy is head and shoulders above other novels for this age group. Here, Almond is writing for young readers and the Gothic, romantic trappings are absent - on the surface at least. Get under its skin and Brand New Boy is a beautiful, melodramatic, tragic romance about friendship and the meaning of our existence. It combines the robotic questions of Asimov's best short stories with the magic of E.T., all combined with the wry weirdness of Almond's Tyneside setting. It's one of his very best for capturing the odd reality of British school life and the pure bizarre in growing up. What begins as a simple comedy about a boy who might be a robot turns into a rousing cry for autonomy and freedom. The end of Brand New Boy is as heartwarming a finale as Almond as written, as he's written a few.
The story begins with the arrival of George at Daniel's school. George is weird, but then who isn't? The descriptions of school assemblies and lessons are brilliant, even better the madness of break time and children at play. Almond does his usual tricks and repeats key phrases until they stick, until you are forced to really consider the weirdness of their existence. It's no secret for the reader that George, accompanied always by the creepy Miss Crystal and Evan Marsh, is a robot, but Almond cleverly creates the children's disbelief and surprise. George also has his repeated refrains, which amuse the other children but then become the catchphrases which they latch onto, which give him his personality and his identity. George is then given specific downloads so he can interact - math skill, football talent. These scenes, and the children's sense of wonder, open one of the central debates - why is Marsh and his company creating such a child? Is he to be perfect? What would it means to have a class of 'perfect' children. The teachers, each entertaining miniature portraits of teacher stereotypes, also represent the reaction of adults to this idea, as well as towards George's perceived humanity.
In this way, Brand New Boy is a can of worms. There are so many thoughts and ideas that are presented to young readers here and are offered up for discussion. When Marsh and his crew bring George into school for a final demonstration, the children are forced to make a decision that involves accepting George as human or as machine. What happens next is pure brilliant, slow-paced storytelling, with the individual (Daniel and friends) up against the system (Marsh and Miss Crystal) but the whole thing happens without action or confrontation. There are scenes of simple loveliness between Daniel and his mother (a perfectly portrayed relationship that exists without need for narrative strain or tension) and scenes of excruciating, patience testing tension. Then it all burst to life with such energy and release that you are swept up in their euphoric dance, in the embrace of nature and all the wonders and secrets of the world. As Daniel goes through Cogan Woods naming everything he sees, and George follows repeating every word he says, Daniel is forced to confront the question of what it means to be alive. Do you have to pee to live? Do you have to be able to die to be called alive? And when the time runs out on George and Almond's narrative, you find yourself surrounded by the beauty of the world and wondering about all those same, unanswerable questions.
Obviously, I love David Almond books. But he still surprises me. Brand New Boy doesn't appeal as much as some of his more dramatic looking novels, but it impresses in a subtle, slow manner and probes the big questions in a way few children's authors can. At the same time, it's a laugh a minute and filled with very real and touching characters. I read it twice and now I'll be reading it again and again to school classes. It's a book that makes you appreciate the beauty in the world and the power of caring friendships - what a fantastic achievement for such a simple tale.
The story begins with the arrival of George at Daniel's school. George is weird, but then who isn't? The descriptions of school assemblies and lessons are brilliant, even better the madness of break time and children at play. Almond does his usual tricks and repeats key phrases until they stick, until you are forced to really consider the weirdness of their existence. It's no secret for the reader that George, accompanied always by the creepy Miss Crystal and Evan Marsh, is a robot, but Almond cleverly creates the children's disbelief and surprise. George also has his repeated refrains, which amuse the other children but then become the catchphrases which they latch onto, which give him his personality and his identity. George is then given specific downloads so he can interact - math skill, football talent. These scenes, and the children's sense of wonder, open one of the central debates - why is Marsh and his company creating such a child? Is he to be perfect? What would it means to have a class of 'perfect' children. The teachers, each entertaining miniature portraits of teacher stereotypes, also represent the reaction of adults to this idea, as well as towards George's perceived humanity.
In this way, Brand New Boy is a can of worms. There are so many thoughts and ideas that are presented to young readers here and are offered up for discussion. When Marsh and his crew bring George into school for a final demonstration, the children are forced to make a decision that involves accepting George as human or as machine. What happens next is pure brilliant, slow-paced storytelling, with the individual (Daniel and friends) up against the system (Marsh and Miss Crystal) but the whole thing happens without action or confrontation. There are scenes of simple loveliness between Daniel and his mother (a perfectly portrayed relationship that exists without need for narrative strain or tension) and scenes of excruciating, patience testing tension. Then it all burst to life with such energy and release that you are swept up in their euphoric dance, in the embrace of nature and all the wonders and secrets of the world. As Daniel goes through Cogan Woods naming everything he sees, and George follows repeating every word he says, Daniel is forced to confront the question of what it means to be alive. Do you have to pee to live? Do you have to be able to die to be called alive? And when the time runs out on George and Almond's narrative, you find yourself surrounded by the beauty of the world and wondering about all those same, unanswerable questions.
Obviously, I love David Almond books. But he still surprises me. Brand New Boy doesn't appeal as much as some of his more dramatic looking novels, but it impresses in a subtle, slow manner and probes the big questions in a way few children's authors can. At the same time, it's a laugh a minute and filled with very real and touching characters. I read it twice and now I'll be reading it again and again to school classes. It's a book that makes you appreciate the beauty in the world and the power of caring friendships - what a fantastic achievement for such a simple tale.
December 11, 2020
An easily accessible book for young readers which explores what it really means to be human. Children will be able to relate to the characters and I think many will wish that the new boy George had arrived at their school. The wonderful illustrations really compliment the style of the story.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers.
August 12, 2021
I read this with my 9 Yr old son rotating 1 chapter each. He would give it a 3 or 4 stars. I think for him it was maybe a bit older. For me I blinkin loved it. I thought it was really funny in some places and David Almond really got the class and kids down to a tea. My son has Almond as his class name for the next 2 years so we will be reading more of his books and I look forward to it.
May 15, 2022
David Almond never disappoints. This gentle exploration of what it is to be human and the bounds of what AI cannot do is a perfect read for 9-12 year old's. It's thoughtful, humane and yet it still has a great story line that keeps you hooked from the beginning. His works always make me cry in the best way, and this was no exception.
November 18, 2020
I loved the sense of natural justice that the children displayed when a Brand New Boy starts in their class. Huge themes explored with a lightness of touch only a storyteller of Almond's class could hope to pull off!
December 4, 2020
I loved this! Just like when I read Skellig, I was instantly immersed in the story from the first page and read the whole thing in a a few hours.
I'm on the blog tour for this so my full review will be up on my blog in a few days :)
I'm on the blog tour for this so my full review will be up on my blog in a few days :)
January 3, 2021
Brand New Boy is a really nice read. It's all about friendship, acceptance and learning to be and love yourself. A great read for kids and adults a like, has lots of talking points and shows the power of having good friends around you.
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