Golden Boy

by Tara Sullivan

A shocking human rights tragedy brought to light in a story of heartbreak and triumph.

Thirteen-year-old Habo has always been different— light eyes, yellow hair and white skin. Not the good brown skin his family has and not the white skin of tourists. Habo is strange and alone. His father, unable to accept Habo, abandons the family; his mother can scarcely look at him. His brothers are cruel and the other children never invite him to play. Only his sister Asu loves him well. But even Asu can’t take the sting away when the family is forced from their small Tanzanian village, and Habo knows he is to blame.

Seeking refuge in Mwanza, Habo and his family journey across the Serengeti. His aunt is glad to open her home until she sees Habo for the first time, and then she is only afraid. Suddenly, Habo has a new word for himself: Albino. But they hunt Albinos in Mwanza because Albino body parts are thought to bring good luck. And soon Habo is being hunted by a fearsome man with a machete.

To survive, Habo must not only run but find a way to love and accept himself.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Africa, Teen, Survival, Cultural

354 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 2013

About the author

Tara Sullivan is an award-winning author of Young Adult novels that address contemporary human rights issues. Born in India, she spent her childhood in Bangladesh, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. She received a BA in Spanish literature and cognitive science from the University of Virginia, and a MA/MPA in Latin American studies/nonprofit management from Indiana University. Her debut, GOLDEN BOY, won the 2014 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Award, and was selected as a best book of the year by YALSA, Kirkus Reviews and the Wall Street Journal. Her second novel, THE BITTER SIDE OF SWEET, won the 2017 Children’s Africana Book Award: Honor and was an ALSC Notable Children’s Book of 2017. Tara lives and writes in Massachusetts. Check out her newest book, TREASURE OF THE WORLD, and find out more at: http://www.TaraSullivanBooks.com

Reviews

[Claire Caterer · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it that a novel that illustrates a brutal practice can be one of triumph and hope? How can one recommend a book about human poaching to children?

Easy. Just read Tara Sullivan's GOLDEN BOY and you'll see.

In this stunning debut novel, Habo is a 13-year-old Tanzanian boy with albinism. As such, he is in constant danger, because witch doctors in that country pay top dollar for body parts of such people. And Habo is hunted by just such a poacher. Habo's journey from frightened child to a boy who takes control of his own fate and creates a new future is a stirring tale no matter what the circumstances, but his specific situation ratchets up the tension in the story at the same time it horrifies the reader in her comfortable American living room.

This is Sullivan's great triumph: that the story which seems so far removed from us can feel so real and immediate. Instead of dwelling on gruesome details (as one could), or getting preachy about what needs to be done to stop these atrocities (for which one could be excused), Sullivan personalizes Habo's story. I had not even heard of this horrific problem in Tanzania, and I've never been to Africa. But I could identify with Habo all the same. He feels isolated in his own family; foreign in his own skin; desperate to find a place of his own in the world. These feelings are universal, and Sullivan brings them so expertly to life that I forgot I was reading about a foreign land. Habo was not just a symbol of suffering; he was a friend.

Young readers are the best audience for such a book. They will be motivated to help, to change. And they will see a little of themselves as well. The next time they judge someone by his odd appearance or her isolation, they might remember Habo and act differently. I know I will not forget him.

DISCLAIMER: This review was written after reading an advanced reviewer's copy (ARC) kindly loaned to me by the author. I received no compensation for the review.

[Vesela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Много обичам драматични и емоционални книги за реални съдби, които ме карат да мисля за героите, да съпреживявам описаните събития, да се ровя за повече информация за проблема, а и да пиша с удоволствие за самата книга, докато си пия сутрешното съботно кафе Blush

Точно такава е „Златното момче“ на Тара Съливан, разказваща за живота на танзанийското дете Хабо, родено с генетична болест. Той е албинос. Това генетично разстройство, наследено от родители, които носят повреден ген, не позволява на кожата да произвежда меланин. В световен мащаб то е сравнително рядко срещано – 1 на 20000 деца се ражда с този проблем, но в Танзания конкретно този процент е значително по-голям – там 1 на 1500 деца е с албинизъм. Учените не могат да обяснят защо в африканската държава тази вродена генетична аномалия е толкова разпространена.

Положението на децата с албинизъм в Танзания е изключително тежко. Ако при раждането си бебетата с албинизъм не са убивани от майките си или изоставяни, то те по-късно са отхвърляни и дискриминирани от общността като прокълнати, като обладани от зли духове и са непрестанен обект на подигравки , бивайки наричани „призраци“ , призрачни хора, зомбита, „зерузеру“ (т.е. нула, нищо, нищожество).

По-ужасяващата страна на отношението към албиносите в Танзания е свързана с мрачните суеверия , със шаманските традиции и черните вещерски практики, все още съществуващи и популярни в африканската държава. Според масовото суеверие най-могъщ талисман са частите от албинос – крайници, коса, кожа. Вярва се, че човекът, притежаващ такъв магически „амулет“, си осигурява автоматично здраве, късмет, щастие и охолен живот. Частите от тяло на албинос се търгуват на черно за баснословни суми и могат да стигнат до 75000$ . На фона на тези безпросветни суеверия е лесно обяснимо защо албиносите са преследвани, убивани най-безмилостно и разчленявани буквално като животни и то в днешни дни.

Животът на малкия Хабо , героят от книгата, е живот в непрекъснат страх, криене и бягство за спасяване на живота. История за жестока дискриминация, суеверие, преследване, но и история също за смелост, човечност, доброта и в крайна сметка за намиране и приемане на себе си такъв какъвто си. Приключенският характер на книгата ми дойде много свежо и бих я препоръчала и като YA четиво.

Изключително приятно съм впечатлена от издателство „Ерове“. За първи път чета тяхна книга. Поздравления за превъзходната книга, която са издали! Перфектна работа на коректор /търсих, но не открих нито една грешка/, чудесно художествено оформление с илюстрации.. Наистина, високо качество на продукта, което направи четенето на романа още по-голямо удоволствие.

[Иван Величков · Rating 4 out of 5]

Четвъртата подред книга от интригуващата серия „Cabinet of Curiosities“ на издателство Ерове. Чаках с нетърпения да видя как ще ме изненадат този път и очаквайки неочакваното получих... роман. ХА!
Не мога да не спомена отново перфектното оформление на книжно тяло, текст, корица, шрифт, превод... абе, който е чел нещо от издателството знае, че тук не се допускат никакви компромиси.
Друго то нещо, което ме изпълва с доволство е, че най-сетне съставителите на серията ме отведоха на пътешествие до Африка и да сме точни - до Танзания.
Тъй:
Хабо е дете от бедно семейство, изхранващо се с животновъдство и тежък физически труд. Проблемът е, че хлапето е албинос. Това е довело до изоставянето на семейството от бащата, а когато тръгват да си търсят късмета в „големия“ град, води и до редица други проблеми. В една страна на фетиши има голямо търсене на ЧАСТИ от албиноси.
За да не е в тежест на семейството си Хабо ще предприеме пътуване далеч от тях, към столицата, където на различните не се гледа като на парче месо. Там ще открие топлота, приятелство и справедливост.
На задната корица, повечето мнения сравняват романа с приказка. Бих се съгласил, защото си съдържа наивитета, както и леко дразнещата поучителност на приказките. Като цяло от чисто литературна гледна точка не е много силен. Да добавя и, че авторката е решила да води повествованието от първо лице, единствено число, което я принуждава да струпва информацията за нравите и обичаите на Танзания в диалози – слаб похват.
Но, романизмът (ако има такава дума) не е целта на книгата, нито на библиотеката „Кабинет на чудатостите“. Покрай завладяващата история на Хабо научаваме много за самата Танзания, за мотивациите на населението ѝ, както и доста за това какво е да си различен, отхвърлен, за човешките зло и доброта.
Търпение нямам да видя с какво ще ме изненадат Ерове следващия път.

[Христо Блажев · Rating 4 out of 5]

Златното момче се бори за живота си: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...

Книгата започва с това, че семейството му трябва да се премести. И от това задвижване се търкулва макара от събития – среща с един бракониер в резервата Серенгети, запознанството с кървавия му бизнес, а по-късно и попадането в едно градче, в което ще открият всичко друго, но не и спокойствие. Защото точно там талисманите от албиноси се ценят високо и са прочути с кървавите им убийства. Опитът да опазят в тайна Хабо пропада и скоро той отново е принуден да бяга като подплашено животно. Като плячка, каквото е, защото стойността му е като на слон – ценен е само мъртъв и то за да бъдат продадени скъпо части от тялото му. Но след всичкото зло е ред да открие и доброто, и надеждата – но как да ги приеме дете, което никога не ги е познавало?

Издателство Ерове
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 3 out of 5]

5+++ stars audio
2.75 meh stars story

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

That would be 5 stars times 2. This would be a 10 star book for me. Perhaps I should give less 5s and then a 5 would have more meaning. If reading a book was sinful then this book was tempting 24/7 until it was finished. So the question is why such a compelling read? There are some personal reading preferences factors:
Adventure/Survival is one of my favorite genres
Africa intrigues me as a setting

But what would this book mean for others?
Let's start with raising awareness of injustice. In this life we have horrific examples both historically and currently of human cruelty through discrimination, violence, torture and murder. Coming to understand where humans continue inhumane behavior can compel the reader to action. For me, this will be to support some of the organizations listed at the end of the book.
Secondly, Tara Sullivan has crafted a main character who is real and captures the reader's sympathy and admiration. Human beings at their best have clay feet in steel boots, and this is who Habo becomes in this story.
Finally is a plot worth savoring. As a reader a plot must grab me and keep me reading with pacing that doesn't leave me constantly breathless or cause me to yawn. The "Golden Boy" plot creates events that kept me turning pages but not exhausted. Events were plausible. The rise to the climax and denouement presented a realistic solution to the problem at the same time creating a spine tingling twist followed by a beautiful conclusion.

I will leave others to write a summary. I will endeavor to write a book talk for my students and I will be recommending this book to many. And then I will beg Tara Sullivan to give up her day job and write 24/7.

BOOK TALK: They are hunted for their body parts. The lack of pigment in the skin is thought to bring good luck and certainly a nice price. Habo is a human albino without pigment in his skin. He has never seen another person who looks like him. His father deserted the family right after Habo was born and Habo isn’t sure the rest of the family cares about him. And then Habo becomes the hunted. Most parts of his country accept this practice, but he has heard there is a city where he might be accepted. As he travels he hopes he has left his hunter behind, but it is only a hope. What he does hope for is acceptance, something he has never experienced and isn’t sure he is even worthy to experience.

[Jaden Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, can we just take a minute to appreciate these amazing 340(ish) pages full of heartbreaking sadness and betrayal, but also happiness and forgiveness that are golden boy? This is one of the few books that I have read that I had no hesitation to rating a 5/5- 10/10,for so many reasons. I will admit, starting this book was very hard for me. I got this book probably 2 or 3 years ago and quit after the first chapter. Also, DO NOT LET THE SUMMARY OF THIS BOOK MAKE YOU THINK THAT IT WILL BE BORING AND BAD, BECAUSE I AM TELLING YOU IT IS GREAT. This is a book I would recommend everyone should read in their life, and one that I will probably read over and over. This book follows a boy named "Habo" who is "all the wrong colors"(what we know as albino), and lives in a small farmhouse in Mwanza, Tanzania with his sister, mother, and 2 brothers. In the first chapter is tells how his sister is the only one who truly loves him. As it says in the summary, he is being hunted for his body parts, which give "good luck" to the struggling people of Mwanza. I promise you that the whole book is not him being hunted by some psycho killer with a knife. ANYWAYS, I am not good at writing reviews so all I will say is, I feel this book has taught me so much, and I think everyone should read it (or at least try the first FEW chapters) because I think you will be pulled in to the gripping story of Habo, the golden boy. 10/10 would read again

[Nazanin · Rating 2 out of 5]

هابو سیزده سالشه که مجبور می‌شه به‌همراه مادر، خواهر و یکی از برادر‌هاش مزرعه‌شون رو ترک کنه و پیش خاله‌ش توی شهر مونزا برن. صاحبخانه به‌دلیل زال بودن هابو دیگه قرارداد رو باهاشون تمدید نمی‌کنه📖

اون‌ها بین راه با العصیری آشنا می‌شن؛ مردی که کارش کشتن فیل و فروش غیرقانونی عاجه. یه جادوگر ازش می‌خواد که هابو رو بکشه📖

در کشور تانزانیا این خرافات وجود داره که افراد زال خوش‌شانسی میارن و از اعضای بدنشون برای درست کردن طلسم‌ها استفاده می‌کنن💔😢

وقتی که هابو و خانواده‌ش به شهر مونزا می‌رسد متوجه می‌شن که شرایط برای هابو خیلی خطرناکه و هر لحظه امکان به قتل رسیدنش وجود داره📖

داستان کتاب براساس واقعیت نبود ولی نویسنده با استفاده از سرنوشت زال‌ها در کشور تانزانیا این کتاب رو نوشته📖

موضوع کتاب برای من جدید بود. راستش هیچ‌موقع فکر نمی‌کردم درمورد افراد زال کتابی بخونم و اصلاً فکر نمی‌کردم که چه زندگی سخت و دردناکی می‌تونن داشته باشن📖

تو کشور‌های سفیدپوست هم افراد زال جلب توجه می‌کنن دیگه چه برسه تو کشورهای سیاه‌پوست 🥺

تو بعضی از قسمت‌ها نویسنده دچار تکرار شده بود و اگه حجم کتاب کم‌تر بود بیشتر از خوندنش لذت می‌بردم📖

کتاب دقیقاً برای نوجوانان مناسبه و از اون کتاب‌هایی نیست که بگم اگه تو هر سنی باشید از خوندنش لذت می‌برین📖

درنهایت امیدوارم اگه آدم‌هایی رو دیدیم که از نظر‌ ظاهر با ما متفاوت هستن بهشون خیره نشیم🤦🏽‍♀️

[Kwoomac · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a National Geographic article on 10/11/2013:Last month, a United Nations report on albino persecution put Tanzania at the top of a list of African nations -mostly in East Africa- where albinos are targeted for murder. "In most of the cases documented, the attacks involved dismembering the victim's limbs and resulted in death", the report said. "In a few other cases, the victims were beheaded; genitals, ears, and bits of skin were removed; tongues were cut out and the eyes and the heart gouged out."

In this fictionalized account of a young albino boy in Tanzania, the author brings to light this horrific situation. We meet Habo first in his small village, where he is ostracized for his difference. Their word for albino is zeruzeru - a zero, nothing. While he lived a lonely life, he and his family were unaware of the plight of albinos in other parts of the country. Habo's mother is obviously ashamed of him and prior to showing up on her sister's doorstep after their eviction from their own home, had never told her sister that Habo was albino. Habo's aunt enlightens them, telling them that albinos are considered to bring good luck. Not alive, but cut up in pieces, like a lucky rabbit's foot. It's ironic that for most of his short life, Habo has been seen as bad luck, evil. Now he's considered good luck, unfortunately prized for what his body parts are worth on the black market. So Habo is kept in hiding, but eventually he's found out and hunted. Habo runs away to Dar es Saaam, the capital of Tanzania, where he has heard that they don't kill albinos.

Lots more to the story but I don't want to tell too much. This is clearly a well researched topic by author Tara Sullivan. Habo's journey is an incredible one and worth reading.

Check out www.underthesamesun.com for more info

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

13-year-old Habo knows he is different: everyone in his family and village has dark skin, while Habo alone has pale skin that burns easily in the sun, blue eyes that don't see very well, and light hair. When his family is forced to abandon their farm in Tanzania to seek refuge with an aunt in Mwanza, Habo learns that there is a name for people like him: he is a zeruzeru, an albino. Habo has always felt like an outsider in his own family, but there is little comfort in knowing that there are others like him in the world, as Habo soon learns that Mwanza is a dangerous place for albinos--a place where albinos are hunted, killed, dismembered, turned into talismans, and sold on the black market to superstitious collectors searching for good luck. After a close call with a ruthless poacher, Habo travels to Dar es Salaam, where a blind woodcarver helps him sculpt a new life and a new outlook from the pain, confusion, and fear that fills his heart.

This is a powerful, eye-opening novel that illuminates an issue that receives little attention in the Western media.

[Piyali · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, or rather, the feeling of persecution remained with me long after I finished the book. A story of cruelty, discrimination, superstition, persecution and a story also of courage, humanity, kindness and finding oneself.

[Jona-Lynn Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It's about albinism in Africa. It presents a very serious topic in a really beautiful way.

[Kemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody knows who is the albino. Everybody see the albino but did they really know their lives,what they endure?
In Africa we have been washed the brain by some myths and others.
To read GOLDEN BOY by TARA SULLIVAN make me see the other face of being albino even if I wasn’t totally unfamiliar with this subject.
GOLDEN BOY is a multicultural book wrote By TARA SULLIVAN.
The protagonist is Habo a thirteen year old born in a poor family lived in small Tanzanian village.
He is different from his sibling. He got light eyes, yellow hair and white skin.They called him Zeruzeru mean Albino in Tanzania language. He has been feeling alone since his childhood but he still keep smiling and enjoying his life with the help of Asu his sister.
Habo and his family was forced to move from their village to mwanza because they were unable to afford their house and keeping her life standing.During this trip Habo discover a new place and people like Alasari, an illegal animal hunter who also hunt some albino to get money .
At mwanza habo lived in bad condition, obligated to hide himself during the whole day in a room like a prison.
One day Alasari attempt to kill Habo, fortunately habo get escaped of this murder.
That’s when he tries to think of moving alone to Dares salam, a safe place for albino.
But that wasn’t counting on the relentlessness of Alasari who try until the last moment to blocked habo to take the train From mwanza to Dar Es Salam.
The family of habo was very worried, they thought he was dead but they figure out that he just move to Dare Es salam.
After a long journey Habo finally reach Dar Es salam. He discovered a nice person named Kweli. A blind carver who support him, push habo to accept himself and get back to his family.
Alasari and habo meet back again at Dar Es salam in the house of Kweli but this time Habo get out of this confrontation victory. Alasari has been locked up and Habo can feel safe now for a long moment.
Finally His lovely sister Asu found him and they let the family know that everything is fine.

The rate of this Book is 4. This book showed us the deeper,awful,and hopeful life of some albino in Africa. The writing style of the author shows the reader how is concerned about this cause and also he wants to pass a message to anyone. Don’t stay on this stigma around the albino their life are worth as all of us. “Stay here or I will put you off the train at the next station . No more of your tricks Zeruzeru “ P137

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fascinating, disturbing story of a thirteen-year-old Tanzanian albino boy.

[Snigdha Thatikonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 out of 5 stars. The action element as well as the emotional element was flawless, I just found the rest to be less entertaining. Review to come!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look. All I have to say about this one is this.

[Helin💜 · Rating 4 out of 5]

оценката ми би трябвало да е равна на броя на всичките звезди на нощното небе, но…уви най-много мога да дам пет🌟

[Hawane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The golden boy by Tara Sullivan is a multicultural book about an albino who name is Habo. Habo is thirteen years old his family is po5and people don't like him because of his skin color (unless his sister Asus).
Not having enough information about albino his father left because he taught that his wife cheated on him and give birth to a kid who has other skin color and they became poor more when his dad left. One day a landlord told them to leave their house because their are not paying the house. Habo with his mother sister brother Chui moved. Not having enough money they travel half of the way by car and the other by walking. After some walk day they saw Alasiri an unknown and elephant killer who help them during their trip to Mwanza in Habo aunt house. Everything was going good the first day but when his aunt saw him and said to his mother they can't stay in Mwanza because they're are albino killer there so they have to have to find money and leave as soon as possible. Asus and her mom started to work and Habo was bidden in the house. But one day Habo went out with his little cousin and they saw Alasasiri, knowing that there is not an old person at home he tries to hurt and kidnap Habo with a knife. Not telling his family unless his little cousin he went to Dar es Salam one of the big cities of the country. There, he found an blind sculptor Kweli who to live with. Kweli teach Habo how to carve after two months Habo saw Alasiri but with the police help, Alasiri went to prison because he tried to kill Habo. During the same day he saw his sister and both of them called to Mwanza.
This book deserves five stars for me because it reflects the reality of albinos people. It also shows how Habo was courageous by leaving his family to find a place where he can be safe “ I'm going to try to go to Daer Es Salam. I will be safe there” p113. The book is amazing, interesting and full of advice because it shows us how albinos feel after being segregated.

[Katie Melzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blew me away! It was really surprising how one thing would dramatically lead to the next, and gave you a great point of view on what it’s like to be different. I can relate to Habo’s big sister in a huge way, we both tend to treat our little brothers like complete babies and are always worried about them. I would recommend this book to people who stand out, and can relate to Habo when he talks about people giving him weird looks. Overall, the book was a bit repetitive with Alasiri, but really gave a good perspective of Habo and how his bad vision sees the world different!

[Ms. Folsoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The main character faces discrimination and danger because he is albino in a town where albinoes are often attacked and killed. He is very resourceful and has a resilient spirit. The novel is really a great adventure novel with twists and turns along with tension and tenderness.

[Dillan 2-3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really shows you the meaning to be afraid. Being hunted down through your every day life and watching everywhere as you live. This book brings awareness to how Albinos are hunted and slaughtered in this country and some people just can't live the normal lives like others.

[Queen-Patricia Chiddix]

It is a great book for people who want to know more about albinism.

[Zari.Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

این خیلی بی رحمانست که با افراد زال تو آفریقا اینطوری برخورد میشه و داستان از روی واقعیت نوشته شده.دلم خیلی برای هابو سوخت🥲

این کتاب به من امید و سرسختی و تلاش برای زنده موندن رو یاد داد🧚‍♀️

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving story that will always hold a special place in my heart.

[Denitsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very interesting and educational read. Such a sweet book about hope and courage in a world that makes you feel like you don't belong. This is a story of a boy, who is just like everybody else - a human being. Differences between people shouldn't distance us from each other, but bring us closer - something this book teaches us about.
This is definitely one of my favorite reads.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My true rating is 2.5/3 but I gotta support my brilliant coworker with 5 stars! I had never heard of this human rights issue before reading this book. It is a coming of age following a Tanzanian 13-year old boy with albinism, so I think it is technically middle-grade, but the writing felt more sophisticated. I found it really slow at parts which is why I would give it a lower rating. I admire all the research Tara did (including traveling to Tanzania) to write this book accurately.

[Jazmin Arroyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered how having a rare
condition felt like or how you would stand out from a crowd in a negative way? I am going to tell you about the book Golden Boy as you can see and this genre is especially about adventure because it is showing the journey Habo and his family are taking through a part of their life. I mostly think this is such a powerful story and why I think that is because Habo is very sensitive but yet he is so strong.

The setting is throughout Arusha their little village but now him and his family go all the way too Mwaza then from there on his own journey to Dar Es Salaam. The setting relates on how he then took his own journey to proctect his family. Thirteen year Habo is different from everyone in his little village he has white skin, light eyes, and yellow hair he is Albino. He isn't comfortable in his own skin and always feels different then everyone else. But now that his family has lost their house they will now have to leave their little village and move to a whole new place where there their aunt lives. His mother his sister, Asu that he adores and his brother Chui that really doesn't want nothing to do w/ Habo will gather their belongings to leave. Now at Mwaza w/ their aunt and cousins they will now face a tough position that Habo in danger because there is people that hunt down Albinos for good luck in their body parts. He will now need to hideaway in his aunts house while everyone tries to make a living for themselves and Habo. Until one day Habo and his little cousin Kito are home alone and Habo outside without a care to realize that there someone from the past waiting for him realizing Alasari is not here for a good reason but only there to kill him, he and his cousin race into the house for security but now Kito is sent for help and Habo is left to hide from the poacher that is trying to trespass into the house. He somehow managed to get away from the poacher when he attacks him yet Habo gets hurt by the knife Alasari held. Habo now is running not for help but just to get away from his hunter after hours of running and hiding he goes to the house gather belongings and leave for a journey of his own and security for his family. But after all this he's still being chased throughout the cities he crosses. The type of conflict this story is person vs. person and person vs. self, Habo is against the poacher and is against his self consciousness and how he feels about himself. The theme of this story is judgement Habo had to understand he will be judged by anything and anyone people have no hesitation in judging Habo also meets two friends that teach him that there's nothing wrong with him and they know not to judge on the way he looks.

Another theme that occurs in this story is loving yourself. Loving yourself is very important for everyone including Habo that didn't like the way he looked and just wished he could've looked like his family members but step by step Habo learned to accept himself. A major event that changed Habo was that he realized Kito could've almost killed when Alasari went after him he then realized he had to leave his family to protect them. The tittle relates to the book as something people would call him at times even Alasari would call him that and also because it relates to his full name that the meaning is "gold". These are some analysis statements.

I was moved by many parts of this book because his own brother was ashamed of having him as brother and would always state that Habo ruined the whole family and if it wasn't for Habo they wouldn't of lost their house or father. I thought the ending of the book was really something to enjoy because he promised his little cousin Kito that right when he was safe he would call them as a surprise and he did as promise. I liked how the author made this story powerful because I like stories that have much emotions and have a powerful meaning like this. This is my opinion of what I think about this story.

In conclusion I rated this book four stars because I honestly loved this book a lot because it was so dramatic and had a powerful meaning. I would recommend this to people who like drama in their books and who like emotional books like this. How would you feel if you were in Habo's shoes?

[L.E. Fidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh, habo, i just want to hug you.

first, a disclaimer: this is young adult fiction in the purest sense of the word. geared toward the pre-twilight crowd (so, ideally, 6th-8th grade, i'm guessing), the narrative is constructed clearly with a burgeoning teenager in mind. i'd even say "pre-sexual" - it's not that kind of story.

this is, however, a story of transition - particularly poignant for those kids caught in the transition between childhood and adulthood, when the awkwardness and discomfort of life seems to perpetuate the bully-victim stereotype the most. what sullivan succeeds best at here is not necessarily the depiction of habo or even of tanzania, although both are very good; it is in her treatment of the desperate attempt to fundamentally understanding our own real and perceived difference that she truly shines.

i wasn't really aware that albinos, like elephants, are hunting trophies in certain parts of the world. i've often noted that albinos get villainized in literature - cold mountain and da vinci code, i'm lookin' at you! - so much so that i have created a shelf "evil albino". i guess i never considered more in depth why that fictional stereotype persists (Although, considering my lengthy discourse on the ill-treatment of redheads in lit, you'd think that i would have done some due diligence here!).

for me, seeing habo struggle with his feelings of isolation - even from his family members - was palpably painful; i want to believe that no mother would ever want to see her child suffer and yet habo seems to feel nothing but shame and disgrace in his condition. in fact, he only mentions really one soft moment with his mother - one that happens when he was very little and sick when no one else is around to bear witness. maybe it was the new mom hormones here, but for some reason, that description made me want to hug my children a little tighter tonight.

much of the story's plot is driven by habo's need for self-preservation. when his family is evicted from their farm, they must move to a new city where his aunt lives, a city where albinos are killed to create "luck" medicine. during their travel, the family meets a deceptively charming ivory hunter - his presence is so big early on that a skilled reader will have no trouble recognizing that this encounter will come back to haunt habo. and haunt he does.

while the story follows a traditional trajectory and resolves in a satisfying if not entirely predictable fashion, it is the message that truly catapults the story to another level. transition and change are difficult for all of us and how we cope reveals a lot about who we are and what we are made of. and, in this regard, habo is truly golden.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielle Earnest 8/10/15
Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan realistic fiction/action
He is a zeruseru, he is nothing, he, Habo, is an albino surviving the cruelty he gets being part of a Tanzanian family in Africa. Being an albino Habo has many everyday problems like the sun, being rejected by his own family except sister, Asu, which he can live with but now because of him the whole family is kicked out of their home and must leave immediately. Now Habo, sister, Asu, younger brother, Chui and their mother must leave behind everything they have ever known and the eldest brother, Enzi. The four now must start a rigorous journey across the Serengeti to Mwanza where their aunt they never have met lives. As a family they don’t have enough money to travel the full trip by bus so they must travel half by foot. While the family is traveling on foot they run into a man driving a jeep. This man’s name is Alasiri and he offers to take the family the rest of the way to Mwanza. As the family learns more about Alasiri they find out that he is a tour guide part time and the rest of the year he just shows them that job. He takes the two boys to where an elephant has been shot and killed then they take just the tusks, teeth, and toenails. Quickly the boys realize Alasiri and the other men there where poachers. After a long day the family prepares to leave in the morning with Alasiri and complete the trip to Mwanza. On the drive to Mwanza Alasiri makes a stop where he goes to talk with a man and he takes the ivory with him. The man he talks to is not just any man; this man is an mganga, a witch doctor. He being a witch doctor scares Habo because he could kill him for his uniqueness. Eventually they arrive in Mwanza but they don’t they a warm welcome. All they get is fights and trying to be kicked out because of Habo. They learn the horrific truth that Habo’s life is in danger because he is albino. Habo now spends lots of time hiding and bonding with his youngest cousin named Kito. One day Habo is out of hiding when he should be hiding and finds out that Alasiri is not just an elephant poacher but also an albino poacher for money. Habo now must escape to a place called Dar es Salaam without help from his family and with the minimal supplies he can get from his aunts home without anyone knowing. With Alasiri still on the hunt for Habo and knowing so little about where he is going can Habo make it to and survive in Dar es Salaam? Find out by reading Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan. If you liked the book Now Is The Time For Running by Michael Williams I think you would also like Golden Boy.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Habo is an albino who becomes the target of one man's desire for wealth once he and his Tanzanian family must leave their small village for his aunt's home in Mwanza. Habo has always known he was different because of his pale skin, yellow hair, and light eyes, and he has always blamed himself for his father's departure. But once the family arrives in Mwanza, he cannot appear on the street since there are many who consider his body parts to be worth their weight in goal since they will bring them luck. His immediate family, including older sister Asu, the one who calls him Golden Boy, make plans to work as hard as possible so they can move somewhere else and live in safety. But Alasiri, the evil man that Habo met earlier when he poached a magnificent elephant for its ivory, gets wind of where he is staying and comes after him. Thanks to much luck and determination, Habo escapes and heads to Dar es Salaam where an elderly blind artisan named Kweli takes pity on him. Habo's fears are palpable and readers will be relieved once he starts to feel safe and find joy in carving figures and concepts from the wood Kweli gives him. But is anyone ever completely safe as long as his/her pursuer is out there? This book is fast-paced, and something seems to be happening constantly. When Habo is racing for the train to another town with Alasiri in hot pursuit, my heart was racing along with him. And when he and Kweli go to the police for help only to be put off by the officer's disinterest in the murder attempt and interest in the ivory scheme, I just shook my head in amazement. I had no idea that these sorts of things happened in the world. I approached the book initially not knowing what to expect, and I closed it, touched, moved, and thinking how hard it must be to be as different from others around him as Habo was. Most shocking of all is the fact that the story has a modern setting.