Midget

by Tim Bowler

Midget doesn't have much going for him. He's fifteen years old, three foot tall, and puny as anything. He's trapped in a useless twitching body he can't control, tortured by Seb, his cruel elder brother, and can only communicate in grunts and gestures. But Midget knows one thing-sailing. He
dreams of sailing his own boat, and showing Seb a thing or two. Everyone says it will take a miracle, but that's when Midget starts to realize that even miracles are possible. It's just that sometimes they hurt people who get in the way...

Interest 11+.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Abuse

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Tim Bowler is one of the UK’s most compelling and original writers for teenagers. He was born in Leigh-on-Sea and after studying Swedish at University he worked in forestry, the timber trade, teaching and translating before becoming a full-time writer. He lives with his wife in a small village in Devon and his workroom is an old stone outhouse known to friends as ‘Tim’s Bolthole’.

Tim has written twenty books and won fifteen awards, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal for River Boy. His most recent novel is the gripping Bloodchild and his provocative Blade series is being hailed as a groundbreaking work of fiction. He has been described by the Sunday Telegraph as ‘the master of the psychological thriller’ and by the Independent as ‘one of the truly individual voices in British teenage fiction’.

Reviews

[Al Pascall · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of things I could say about this book... but reaction now; just after I've finished reading it... is surprise. Most of it is shocking and cruel. And there are some bits of it that made so mad I started yelling at the book. But there are some moments when I could understand why certain characters felt the way they did. The storyline and the emotionally charged chapters are brilliant and written with such skill that you see and feel everything that poor Joseph (aka 'Midget') goes through.
It was a sad experience... but also a good experience reading this book. And I have no doubt I will never ever forget it.
Deep underneith the layers of this book... is a miracle called forgiveness. What would you choose if you had been caused so much pain by someone... Would you set out on the path of revenge? Or would grant someone the gift of forgiveness... and save their life? And that's a question I will take away with me from experiencing reading this book...

[Jean Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly thought provoking tale about the nature of disability and how we deal with it and how good and evil are ever present in society whether you are able-bodied or not.

[Kru · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a story that reiterates the fact - Dreams can be consummated when pursued relentlessly.

It was a difficult read, and somehow couldn't keep my interest intact.

[Danny Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover of this book first, whilst on Holiday in the Lake District looking for a good read. I was not disappointed. From start to finish I was engrossed, so much so that I read it all the way through in one sitting.

The book follows a young boy, who lives with his (not so angelic) older brother and father, his mother died shortly after his birth. In addition to his diminutive stature (hence the title), the effect of his mother's death is apparent throughout the book and has a deep impact on his day-to-day living, from the stares of strangers to everyone's reaction and 'over-pampering' of him.

You will find yourself rooting for Joseph - shouting out in triumph at his success at sailing, and also shedding a tear when his bully brother causes him to have yet another terrible seizure. It is a read suitable for older teens and adults alike - it had me thinking (and feeling) throughout. A superb book. NOW GO READ IT!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I do agree that this book can accurately be considered young adult, I don't think the youngest of adults would necessarily enjoy it. I would probably not recommend this book to many of my 7th graders (unless they are the super freaky smart ones who are taking the ACT already) because it's a bit more "thinky" than a lot of books that are geared toward YA. The plot relies heavily on a lot of sailing terms, which can make it a bit difficult for the reader who is unfamiliar with all that jargon. However, I do think Bowler does an excellent job of creating a succinct story with complex characters, an interesting background, and a good dose of suspense. I appreciate that you don't learn the protagonist's name until the very end of the book, and were I teaching older students, I might base a conversation off of that idea.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Called Midget by his 17-year-old brother Seb because of his small stature and physical handicaps, a 15-year-old boy, whose mother died when he was born, is the central character. He has been taunted and abused by Seb all of his life, always at night when their father is asleep. Things escalate when summer comes and Seb begins calling Midget a murderer and threatens to kill him. Midget escapes his world by dreaming of sailing away on the boat in the boatyard which has been seemingly deserted. When he meets old Joseph, the boat builder, he begins to learn about the power of the mind and making miracles happen. Joseph dies, leaving his boat The Miracle Man to Midget, and suddenly Midget has a new found confidence and power to confront Seb.

A page-turner.

[MK · Rating 1 out of 5]

Midget is a story written by tom bowler, it talks about a boy who's fifteen and three foot tall, he lives with his father and older brother seb. Seb hates midget because he think he's responsible for his mother's death, she died giving birth to midget. Midget has a dream of becoming a sailor, but that was an impossible dream, his father always tried to make him think of a better dream that he's able to do. But no matter what they said midget persuaded his dream.

It's not one of the finest books I read but it's good.

[Tiffany Lynn Kramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still don't know how this book made it onto my shelf as it wasn't something I would have picked out for myself but I read it anyway. The story might not be that bad but at only 144 pages I often found myself zoning out and having to go back and reread whole pages. Even having done that very little of Midget has stuck with me and I don't see myself going back to revisit it.

[Nayoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough I've read 5 of Tim Bowler's works, This was the first book that actually deeply moved me
other books usually was about meeting a girl or boy and healing, and making a happy ending.
This one was much more painful, sad, but true. I was moved to tears.
Loved it. My favorite Tim Bowler Book

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brrrrrrr. Chilling.

Can i leave it at that?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual story with unexpected elements.

[Muneeza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad yet mysterious.

[محمد قرط الجزمي · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice story.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!