The Way Back Home

The Boy #3

by Oliver Jeffers

When a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would He flies it into outer space! Millions of miles from Earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake, its fuel tank on empty. The boy executes a daring landing on the moon . . . but there's no telling what kind of slimy, slithering, tentacled, fang-toothed monsters lurk in the darkness! (Plus, it's dark and lonely out there.) Coincidentally, engine trouble has stranded a young Martian on the other side of the moon, and he's just as frightened and alone.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Space, Friendship, Adventure, Fiction, Aliens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 10, 2008

About the author

Oliver Jeffers' work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his award-winning picture books, now translated into over 30 languages.

In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.

Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Maede · Rating 4 out of 5]

اگر یه هواپیما تو کمد خونه‌ت پیدا کنی چکار می‌کنی؟
خب معلومه! باید سوارش بشی، کلی باهاش پرواز کنی و بری تو فضا. اگر هواپیما هم خراب شد می‌تونی روی ماه فرود بیای. به همین راحتی

حس می‌کنم خوندن کتاب‌های کودک می‌تونه از روی دوش بزرگ‌ترها برای لحظاتی بار عقلانیت رو برداره. هر روز زندگی واقعی در چهارچوب‌های‌ سفت و سخت «آنچه شدنیه» و «آنچه ضروریه» می‌گذره و این درسته اما خسته‌کننده‌ست. کتاب‌های مثل این مغزت رو می‌برن به تنظیمات کارخونه. هرچیزی که می‌تونی بهش فکر کنی شدنیه. میشه با هواپیما رفت ماه؟ چرا که نه. وقتی کسی میگه دوست دارم ذهنم رو آزاد کنم، فکر کنم بخشیش آزادی از بار واقعیته و این کتاب‌ها بخشی از راهکارند

این کتاب فعلا چهار جلده و این جلد سومه. بقیه رو هم به زودی می‌خونم و آپلود می‌کنم

کتاب رو می‌تونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books

۱۴۰۳/۳/۱۳

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two of Jeffers' toothpick-legged characters get marooned on the moon, and must work together to figure out how each of them can get home. Cute, though not as endearing as some of the author's other books.

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Very imaginative!
One of our favourite books lately.
A little boy finds an aeroplane in his closet and he flies to the moon, where he becomes friend with a Martian. They need to help each other and work with each other in order to go back home.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on an Oliver Jeffers kick. This book is pretty adorable. A boy and an alien, both stuck on the moon, work together to problem solve. You can't really get more different than these two, so I love the underlying message and the ending is fabulous!

[Yeasin Reza · Rating 4 out of 5]

'সঙ্গ' বা Company বিষয়টা নিয়ে এতো সুন্দর নিটোল গল্প! মন খানিকটা খারাপ ছিলো। বইটি এক লহমায় মন ভালো করে দিলো।

[Parastoo Khalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

برای چالش امسالم قرار بود هیچگونه کتاب کودک نخونم.
ولی یهو به خودم اومدم دیدم هر سه جلد این کتاب رو دانلود کرده و مطالعه شد :))
خیلی زیبا بود.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

کاش میشد منم برم کمدمو بگردم یه هواپیما پیدا کنم که به طرز معجزه آسایی برسه به ماه و همونجا بشینم...

[Neko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have READ this book soooooooo many times at work it's not even funny anymore BUT I still LOVE the book so I say I'm pretty much winning! I've found this book to appeal to the younger set of children quite well...Aliens and humans..What's not to love even at an early age? The illustrations are awesome, lots of darkness because they're stuck on a moon but then the splash of colour also works very well and brightens up each page.

So, this story is about a little boy with a wicked sense of imagination...He goes into his cupboard one day and out comes a cardboard air plane which takes him on a wild adventure to the MOON! He stops on the moon because his little red air plane runs out of petrol and unknown to him a little green alien is also having a few problems of his own on that VERY moon.

The boy and the alien become quick friends because they have something in common as both of their flying contraptions are having issues. Something mechanical has gone screwy in the Alien's aircraft and like stated before the little boy's air plane has run out of fuel. They keep talking to each other wondering how they can fix each others problems. What solution do they come up with is something you'll need to find out yourself by reading the book.

However, I will say at the very end of the book there is something that made me feel a little sad..It was the illustration.

[nananatte · Rating 5 out of 5]

เด็กชายขับเครื่องบินสูงขึ้นๆๆ ไปจนถึงดวงจันทร์ แต่น้ำมันเจ้ากรรมเกิดหมดขึ้นมา เขาก็เลยติกแหง็กอยู่บนนั้น
ขณะเดียวกัน มนุษย์ดาวอังคาร ออกเดินทางสำรวจจักรวาล ทุกอย่างเรียบร้อยดี เว้นตรงที่...จู่ๆ ยานก็เสีย ยานเลยปักเข้ากับพื้นดวงจันทร์

ทั้งเด็กชายและมนุษย์ดาวอังคาร ต่างคนก็ต่างใช้ชีวิตท่ามกลางความมืด ต้องคอยหลบหลีกสัตว์ประหลาด
จนวันหนึ่งก็ได้พบว่า... "อ้าว เราไม่ได้เจอปัญหาอยู่คนเดียว บนนี้ก็มีคนอื่นที่มีปัญหาแบบเดียวกัน!"

เมื่อเด็กชายและมนุษย์ดาวอังคารเจอกัน ก็แลกเปลี่ยนข้อมูล พูดคุย และหาทางการแก้ไขสถานการณ์ดังกล่าว
ทั้งคู่ได้ข้อสรุปในที่สุด
เด็กชายเริ่มทำตามแผนทันที
เขารวบรวมอุปกรณ์ที่มี แล้วกระโดดร่มชูชีพลงสู่มหาสมุทรของโลก เขาว่ายน้ำจนถึงบ้าน

แต่เพราะว่ายน้ำนานไปหน่อย กลับถึงบ้านก็เลยเหนื่อย
ก็เลยนั่งพักดูซีรีส์ นาน... นานจนเหมือนจะลืมอะไรไปสักอย่าง

...เวลาผ่านไป หลังดูซีรีส์จบไปหลายเรื่อง

"อ๊ะ!"

ในที่สุดเขาก็นึกออก
เด็กชายรีบรวบรวมอุปกรณ์ซ่อมเครื่องยนต์บรรจุใส่กระเป๋า แล้วออกเดินทาง
เขาไปยืนใต้ดวงจันทร์ ส่งเสียงตะโกนเรียกมนุษย์ดาวอังคารอยู่นาน

"ฮัลโหลๆ"

ในที่สุด ก็มีเชือกเส้นหนึ่งหย่อนลงมา

เด็กชายปีนๆๆ ขึ้นไปจนถึงดวงจันทร์ เขาลงมือซ่อมยานของมนุษย์ดาวอังคารและเติมน้ำมันให้เครื่องบินของตนเอง
ในที่สุด พวกเขาทั้งคู่ก็เดินทางกลับบ้านได้อย่างปลอดภัย :-)


Oliver Jeffers ไม่เคยทำให้ผิดหวัง
เรื่องราวซนๆ น่ารักของเด็กชายและมนุษย์ดาวอังคาร
ส่งเสริมมิตรภาพ ความคิดสร้างสรรค์ การแก้ปัญหา และการลงมือทำ
เล่มนี้ให้คะแนน++ เพราะส่งเสริมวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยีได้โดยไม่ต้องบรรยายอะไรยากๆ เลยสักคำ

อ่านแต่ละหน้าในเล่มนี้ได้แต่อ้า-ปาก-ค้าง
คิดมาได้ยังไง จินตนาการไกลสุดกู่มาก น่ารักแบบกวนๆ ดีค่ะ :-)

[Hamed Manoochehri · Rating 2 out of 5]

این چیز دندون گیری نداشت. عکس روی دیوار و اشاره به شاتل داستان قبلی که اونم بنزین تموم کرده بود بامزه بود.

[ع. ر. افّلا · Rating 3 out of 5]

وای اونجا که برگشته زمین یه سری ابزار برداره ببره ماه و حواسش پرت می‌شه می‌شینه سریال می‌بینه. خنگ خدا (خودمم اینطوری‌ام).

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a young boy finds an airplane in his closet, he immediately sets out on an aerial adventure, getting as far as the moon before his plane runs out of fuel. Stuck on this celestial body, the boy encounters an alien who has also crash landed, and together the two lost spacefarers work out a way to get home...

Following upon How to Catch a Star and Lost and Found , which set out the first two adventures of this young boy-protagonist, The Way Back Home follows him as he heads to outer space, carried there by an airplane, and author/artist Oliver Jeffers' seemingly boundless imagination. Although not my favorite, of Jeffers' creations - I prefer some of his later titles, like A Child of Books , or the most recent, Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth - I do like these sweet, simple stories about a young boy and the connections he makes with the world (and the cosmos) around him. The artwork is appealing, in that trademark Jeffers way, and the ending heartwarming. Recommended to fellow Jeffers fans, and to anyone looking for entertaining adventure stories for the picture-book set.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story explores the ideas of acceptance and diversity. The two characters are totally different from one another, but they become friends and help each other. Being helpful is consequently another theme within the book as they help each other so that they can go home. The book also demonstrates friendship, as even though the two characters are stranded, they make friends and work towards a common goal. Even after they have returned to their homes, they remain friends and still contact one another. The illustrations in the book are wonderful; they are gentle and soft which supports the themes of friendship, acceptance and being helpful. The story explores important messages using a topic which is of interest to many children – space. It is a simple book which is easily read and followed.
It is cross curricular- it can be used in English, history, topic, art and PSHE.

[Tayebe Ej · Rating 2 out of 5]

از مجموعه ی چهارجلدی "پسر" (ترجمه شده به "دنیای شیرین پسرک"). برخلاف جلد "کسی پنگوئن گم نکرده" که خیلی دوستش داشتم، این جلد حال بلاتکلیفی داشت، نگرفتم چی میخواست بگه و روند داستان هم کند و یکنواخت بود

[Kokelector · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Qué harías si te encuentras un avión en la limpieza de tu armario? Eso le sucede a nuestro protagonista y realiza un increíble viaje que lo dejará en la luna sin combustible. Pero conocerá a un entrañable marciano que tiene la misma dificultad, no puede seguir con su nave. Al llegar de noche no se verán y temerán lo peor, pero con acostumbrarse a la oscuridad entenderán que son dos posible amigos que se pueden ayudar.
Una historia en torno hacer amistades en los momentos de dificultad y cómo hacemos crecer nuestras posibilidades ante la vida.
¡Hermoso!

[Catarina Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Martina P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neobično prijateljstvo dječaka i svemirca.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There once was a boy who had a big heart. The boy discovers an airplane in his closet so he decides to take it out for a spin. In a hurry, the boy forgot to check how much fuel the airplane has. Good thing that the moon is there, as he makes an emergency landing on it. Tonight though, he’s not the only one who needs the moon’s assistance. There’s a spaceship with a Martian onboard flying in space which begins to have engine problems and heads to the moon. He lands hard on the moon and soon, the two moon occupants hear each other. Tension is felt at what the noise is but the two are eventually glad to meet, they’re no longer alone on the moon. How were they both going to get home and off the moon? Good question and something the two of them have to figure out, together.

I felt something missing in this book. I think it felt more like- they meet, they help each other out and then, life goes on. I wanted more of a connection with the Martian and the boy. I wanted them to say something, to show more of themselves to each other, or give each other something so they could always remember their unique friendship. Can they exchange addresses at the end? Can they give each other something out of their pocket or ship? Anything……. The book had that “matter of fact” feeling and I just wasn’t feeling those warm, “wow” feelings that I get with Jeffers other books. 3.5 stars

[Hugh Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this one last week in an RE seminar and instantly loved it. The art is sumptuous and quirky and its a really nice story about friendship and helping each other out. A small boy finds an aeroplane in his cupboard, goes for a wee flight and crashes on the moon. During the night a tiny martian has a similar accident and loses control of his spaceship also ending up on the same rocky satellite. The two are initially fearful of one another but become friends when they realise they have the same plight. The boy is lowered to earth to obtain supplies to repair their damaged vehicles (being distracted by TV and biscuits long the way) and soon they can both return home safely. The story ends with the possibility that their friendship may be able to continue across space.

It reminded me of the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strips which I enjoyed in my adolescence as they also fizzed with imagination and were lushly illustrated. This would be a good story for a year 3 or 4 circle time.

[Elaine Mullane || Elaine and the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favourite contender in our bedtime reads! My son is currently obsessed with this because it features a plane, the moon and an alien.

An imaginative little story about a little boy who takes his airplane out and gets lost, and then finds solace in the company of someone else who has also been displaced. In an attempt to get home, these unlikely friends go to great lengths help each other out. A sweet little tale from one of our favourite writers and illustrators.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 5 yr old as well as my twin 3 yr olds loved. A solid reading level 1 book, this cute story keeps all ages engaged with the bright colorful pictures and cute story. A fun space theme with a little twist at the end. My 5 yr old was tickled pink when he guessed the ending. A great addition to any children's library.

[J. Boo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy finds a plane in his closet, flies to the moon, runs out of fuel, meets alien with flying saucer problems who crash lands, parachutes back home to get tools, climbs up rope back to moon...

I didn't find it interesting, nor was I fond of the illustrations, but DS#2 (age 3) seemed to pay attention.

[Sue Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always important to carry a torch, but not so good when it stops working, neither is it very helpful when your engine breaks down. Luckily the boy and a friendly Martian both suffer engine trouble and met each other on the moon. They find a way of fixing each other's engines and after saying 'goodbye', go their separate ways back home. Will they ever find a way of keeping in touch?

[Colby Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Oliver Jeffers.

[Annabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book...

[أميرة · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem.

[Rebecca Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book follows a young boy who gets stuck on the moon as his plane ran out of petrol and becomes lonely as he is all alone. However, another boy emergency landed on the moon as his engine has broken down. The boys together think of a plan to get them both home again. This book highlights the importance of teamwork and friendship as the two boys become friends whilst creating a plan and as a team, they fix each other's plane and spaceship in order to get back home again.
The illustrations in this book are brilliant and they make you feel as if you are part of the story. This book really illustrates how amazing a child's imagination can be and if given the freedom, how wild it can run.

[Cecily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the boy goes on grand adventures. I love how nothing is really impossible for him as long as he can think it up. The boy goes to the moon and discovers an alien whose ship broke down on the moon. The boy's ship ran out of gas, so obviously he floats back down to earth to collect items to help them both out. The alien lower a rope from the moon when the boy has the items they both need. I love the last page and how he has a package with a walkie talkie from the alien. It's so cute. Again, I love the watercolor illustrations.

[Katie Mote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about a little boy who ends up on the moon and discovers a martian who is also stuck on the moon and how they work together to fix their space ships so that they can go back home. The illustrations are simple but effective in working alongside the text. I loved the theme of friendship throughout, how they welcomed each other into their lives to help and look after each other. This would be a lovely book to read with children

[Mairéad · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 This tale of an adventurous boy who meets and befriends a Martian is sure to appeal to children aged 4-8 particularly if they are already fans of Oliver Jeffers illustrative style. I found it lacked the depth of many of his other picturebooks but I suppose they can't all tug on the heart strings!