Boy Overboard: the award-winning middle grade companion novel to Girl Underground

by Morris Gleitzman

Winner - KOALA Children's Choice Awards 2010 - Fiction for Years 7–9Winner - YABBA Children's Choice Awards 2010 - Fiction for Years 7–9Winner - COOL Children's Choice Awards 2010 - Fiction for Years 7–9Longlisted - Family Award for Children's Books 2002 - Prize for Writing for Young AdultsShortlisted - BILBY Children's Choice Awards 2006 - Fiction for Older ReadersShortlisted - REAL Children's Choice Awards 2010 - Younger ReadersJamal and Bibi have a dream.To lead Australia to soccer glory in the next World Cup. But first they must face landmines, pirates, storms and assassins.Can Jamal and his family survive their incredible journey and get to Australia? Sometimes, to save the people you love, you have to go overboard.With its witty humor and powerful themes of courage, determination, and the importance of family, Boy Overboard is sure to leave you laughing, crying, and cheering for Jamal and his journey.Don't miss out on this must-read middle grade book that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.------------------PRAISE FOR MORRIS GLEITZMAN‘Readers can't get enough of him.’ The Independent‘A brilliantly funny writer’ Sunday Telegraph‘A virtuoso demonstration of how you can make comedy out of the most unlikely subject’ Sunday Times‘He is one of the finest examples of a writer who can make humour stem from the things that really matter in life.’ The Guardian

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, School, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Adventure, Read For School

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Morris began his writing career as a screenwriter, and wrote his first children's novel in 1985. His brilliantly comic style has endeared him to children and adults alike, and he is now one of Australia's most successful authors, both internationally and at home. He was born in England in 1953 and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer.

Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.

Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.

He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.

But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.

All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I've read this book at least a dozen times before.
And maybe my copy is coming unglued from the spine from the number of times I've read it and the number of times I've flipped to the title page to see the authors signature and dedication ('G'day Amy!')
And maybe it's written for 8-10 year olds.
And maybe it's primary purpose is to explain to children the horrifying plight of asylum seekers, and attempt to humanise an issue that xenophobic assholes spend all their efforts dehumanising.
And maybe the main character is absolutely fixated on soccer, to an annoying extent, as a way of making a child from Afghanistan relatable and real, rather than just 'the other'.

But damn, this book definitely made me cry. Again.

The Australian government insists on taking more and more disgusting measures to avoid fulfilling their legal and moral obligation to house and accept asylum seekers. But I know that if all 10 year olds read this book, our next generation will not make the same mistakes.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

We had to also read this for school. I honestly thought it was extremely boring. WHy do we have to study it in year seven when we were all reading it back in grade 4????

[Genna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book holds a special place in my heart, as I read it when I was a child and it was the first book I’d ever come across about refugees. I’d never known much about refugees and as a 7 year old Australian kid this book helped me connect in a way that has shaped my beliefs since then and influence the adult I am now. Definitely holding onto it so I can pass it on to the younger people in my family.

[maria x · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morris Gleitzman is so awesome!!

I loved Boy Overboard!!
4.5 stars

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this in Year 8 English. I remembered we all called it 'Boy OverBORED'
I personally didn't like this book and found it quite boring. Even my English teacher did...

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 re-read...I still find this a wonderful book for YA. Highlight how truly lucky some of us are to have what we have and where we get to enjoy life!

(2020 re-read):
It is amazing how reading a book at a different time or a different stage in life or for another reason, you see and feel completely taken by aspects not seen the first time around.

An incredible read for YA’s in regards to what life is like for those less fortunate. A hint of humour, a glimpse of life as a refugee and a bucket-load of empathy.

(Original review;)
An enlightening read. The experience of an Afghan refugee family as they flee their home land. Definitely a good one for teenagers - a great way to see life through the eyes of a child.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a book project we are doing at university. Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman tells the story of Jamal and Bibi. Both dream of being football stars, but living in Afghanistan makes this impossible. At some point, their parents decided to flee to Australia and a wild journey begins for the family.

This is one of the few books that I actually liked reading even though I HAD to read them for university. I had to stop reading at several points in the book because I just could not cope to read further. Even though this book is fiction, there is some reality behind it. Many people and families go through this experience of fleeing their home country because of war or other devastating happenings. This book is a more child-like writing with this topic. It makes the story readable for all ages. The story made my heart ache several times.

I think this is a good book for children. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. I can't wait to plan activities for this reading.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book for Grade 5/6 students. The soccer aspect caught their attention and the themes of refugees get them thinking. My students loved it and are excited to read the next one.
I enjoyed the book too. There was so much heartbreak and it got me thinking about what we as Australians can do and the experiences that refugees have had to get here.

[Jayne Pixton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book so much.. I had to read it for school and almost fell asleep every time it was english.. one of the worst books i have read in my life

[Madelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

The character are infuriating, the plot line is awful and the whole writing style is for 3 year olds. I usually like stories about refugees but this one is no good

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

In typical Gleitzman style, the issue of refugees and Australia's immigration policies is dealt with so that young readers gain a good understanding of the situation.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story that will make any person want the laws about refugees to be changed.

[Stantj1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

# SPOILER ALERT #

Boy overboard is a good book. It wasn't my favorite book ever but it was quite a good book.
It probably is the the best refugee book for school years 5 to 7 .
All in all the book was ok.

The funniest part was when jamal got kicked on the leg by the pirate because he took the ball away from the pirate.
So this is what happened jamal,bibi,rashida and omar were kicking a ball about and then the a pirate tried to kick the football but then jamal snached the football away from the pirate and then the pirate kicked him so hard that i think he broke his hip.

The saddest bit is when there in the middle of a football match they find out that the other boat sank and the find out that there in a detention center.

read the book to find out more


BYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book.
I understand what the author is trying to do but I personally do not agree with it.
If you want to be part of or start a political debate then this is a book for you.
I read this as my Grade 7 boy had to read it for English so to help him with his assignment I thought the best way would be for me to read the book. So I read it. Basically written and easy to read for its designed aged group. I read it in an hour.
I understand the refugees flight, I understand that as an Australian I am very lucky. However I do not agree this should be a Grade 7 text and that children should be lead to believe that the Australian Government has no heart because of the stance it has taken with illegal immigrants.
Everyone will have a varying opinions and a stance on this.

[Watermelon Daisy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boy Overboard was a story I had to read in English.

Truthfully, I loved the idea of the story. A family breaking all the rules –things that in Australia we do everyday– and have to run for survival. It seemed like such a wonderful plot. And honestly, I did like how Jamal and Bibi used soccer as a sort of escape from their horrible lifestyle.

However, the writing style just ruined it all. No commas, just short sentences. I found myself having to read some sentences over again, because since the length doesn’t vary, my eyes can’t adjust to the book.

Overall, this is a story to read if you have amazing eye-sight/don’t mind short, off-beat sentences.

[#AlJesus]

SHIT!!!

[Sarah Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great discussion points and in our current climate would be a great novel to read to spark a discussion on refugees.

[Nohaila Bouaouad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me into reading

[Permanently 23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this so I could talk to my enthusiastic son about it - he enjoyed it so much. I’m finding it hard to rate - it tackles very complex issues for a primary school aged audience, so it feels overly simplistic at times. But I guess that’s how you make complex issues understood by kids? I appreciated the effort. But I did think (sadly) for it to feel authentic, you needed more cruelty at the hands of Australian border patrol in there… 4 stars

[Gypsy Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good and fairly education a book and I enjoyed every bit of it, there where definitly some cliffhangers that left me on the edge of my seat. However the end of the book was also and cliffhanger and for me that was a bit disappointing but kind of fine because I just imagined a happy ending.
So my final thoughts are recomend it unless you don't like cliffhangers.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Renee Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book being read to me when I was 12 years old, and loving it so much. It's obviously for much younger audiences than what I am now, but such a great book.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it!

[The Teacher's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third time I've read this book. The second time aloud, but the first time to a grade 4 class.

They were obsessed - we flew through this and there were so many incredible discussions that arose from it!

[Shaema Samia Imam · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad, not sure if I would want my 11 year old to read it... yet. Even though kids go through this and worse. Some of the lines are so shocking because kids still think like kids even in the midst of these challenges. Important to read for anyone working with refugee kids.

[Ellie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot just how good this actually was.

[Irad · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Boy Overboard we are told about two children, boy and girl who want to lead Afghanistan to win the football world cup, the government in Afghanistan does not allow to girls to play football: “Girls playing soccer is a big crime I say. Almost as big as Mum and Dad running illegal school at home. If the government finds that note, Mum and Dad are in serious trouble.”p.9
Their mother is a teacher, and like the government does not allow to play football the government does not allow to women to be teachers, because those reasons the family has decided to go to Australia because there they will be able to live normal life:” Mum and I have decided he says, that we should all live as far away as we can from the government . We have decided to try and go to Australia.” p.72
In the journey to Australia they passing hardship in the boat, and in the aircraft, finally they reached to an island in the pacific ocean and there they start them new life.

I chose this book because the book looks very interesting, and unbelievable how people can escape from extremism government, and after that stay alive, and live in a safe place from the extremist government.

I think the book is very interesting, and this is an unbelievable story how they did it, and survived after all tribulations.
I would recommend the book for children, and teens because before you read the book you should know about extremism governments like, in this story the Taliban is the governor in Afghanistan.

[Farhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this book. Again because of my intermediate friends. My intermediate friends showed me the book I then read the blurb at the back and I started to like what the book was about so I issued the book.(In the library of course) I liked the book because it was adventurous with some scary momements when the main character and his family are near death situations. The book is addicting because you want to never stop reading. The story makes you want read more and more. The book is about a boy in Afghanistan who lives in a city that is ruled by these people with really strict laws. One example is that girls are not allowed to go to school.Their is more interesting parts in the story but you have to read this book for yourself and find out. One thing I learnt from the book is that not all people that act good are good. Because in the book there was a man that acted good but later in the story the man betrays the boy and his family. One thing that was interesting is that in this one part in the book. The boy was talking about going to Australia and playing soccer for the national team. What interested me is that he wanted to play soccer for Australia even though Australia is not that good at soccer. I give this book a well deserved 5 stars out of 5

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book that has been so relevant for Australian audiences ever since it was published. It contains a great story line, fantastic characters in Jamal & Bibi, excitement, humour, sadness and relevant issues for readers to think about.

It is a great way to interest reluctant readers, as well as raise the issues of societal freedoms, how lucky we are in Australia, the plight of asylum seekers and the impact of our policy decisions.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I think it is Gleitzman's best, along with 'Once'. Every child (and adult) should read it. (Unfortunately, I can't recommend the sequel, 'Girl Underground' quite so highly. It is OK, but takes a long while to get going, with my class losing interest before getting to the good bits).

ps - get this edition...this cover is SO much better than the other ones I have seen!

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one go, just couldn't put it down. This is the story of a family that has to flee Afghanistan to save their lives. They desperately try to make their way to Australia, as many other refugees, with little money and at the mercy of ruthless human traffickers. While the writing style didn't blow me away (but I could imagine younger readers appreciating the short sentences and straight forward style), the plot did. This book makes surely a great accompanying read-aloud to any unit around migration/refugees/human rights. Thought-provoking - without offering simple answers for a very complex and complicated issue.