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The Boys Who Stayed
“Why did you save me yesterday?” — Wei Jian
“Simple. Because we’re brothers.” — Danial
Eleven-year-old Wei Jian’s only ambition was to be the class clown; it was the only way to drown out the loneliness of his quiet home. But life had other plans. When his mother transfers him to a Sekolah Kebangsaan to save on costs, Wei Jian is crushed.
Suddenly an outsider in a Malay school, he struggles with a language he only knows from textbooks. He spends two weeks eating alone—until a game of guli leads to a friendship that changes everything.
Through Haziq, Danial, and Syafiq, Wei Jian finds a world he never knew existed. His life becomes a whirlwind of kompang, fasting, and Raya; all while trying to ignore the tension at home. As he fights his own demons, he begins to uncover the hidden stories of the boys. Their sorrows, their happiness, and the bonds that hold them together.
Mamak. Four boys. Their table.
This is a heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of a group of boys who found comfort in each other against all odds.
“Kita semua or no one.”
***
A story by Jellybean, the author behind the viral Threads sensation Four Brothers.
“Simple. Because we’re brothers.” — Danial
Eleven-year-old Wei Jian’s only ambition was to be the class clown; it was the only way to drown out the loneliness of his quiet home. But life had other plans. When his mother transfers him to a Sekolah Kebangsaan to save on costs, Wei Jian is crushed.
Suddenly an outsider in a Malay school, he struggles with a language he only knows from textbooks. He spends two weeks eating alone—until a game of guli leads to a friendship that changes everything.
Through Haziq, Danial, and Syafiq, Wei Jian finds a world he never knew existed. His life becomes a whirlwind of kompang, fasting, and Raya; all while trying to ignore the tension at home. As he fights his own demons, he begins to uncover the hidden stories of the boys. Their sorrows, their happiness, and the bonds that hold them together.
Mamak. Four boys. Their table.
This is a heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of a group of boys who found comfort in each other against all odds.
“Kita semua or no one.”
***
A story by Jellybean, the author behind the viral Threads sensation Four Brothers.
311 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 9, 2026
The Boys Who Stayed is the type of story that keeps you awake till the wee hours of the morning simply because you find yourself unable to stop flipping the pages.
It is the type of story that takes you down memory lane to when you were 13 years old and the only Chinese girl in your class (SMK) - 1 Bestari too 😂.
It is the type of story that reminded you the way Wei Jian felt was how you felt - isolated, quiet, out of place and a Chinese girl that speaks English more fluently than the mandarin she learned for 6 years in SRJK (C).
It is the type of story that reminded her that her Malay was also textbook, where the new primary school headmaster at that time made it mandatory for all the students to memorize a karangan daily and then to write it down word for word without looking at the book in class every morning; to improve our vocabs and writing skills apparently.
It is the type of story that also reminded her of the unique friendship she formed with 3 girl friends - 2 Punjabis and an Indian.
It is the type of story that reminded her of the memories she made where all 4 of them joined Kadet Remaja together just because it was the least tedious, least hardworking unit beruniform and the easiest to ponteng during the Saturday Hari Koko where they will escape via the school's front gate and cross the overhead bridge to head to town and the mall.
It is the type of story that reminded her when they joined choral speaking and practiced endlessly together for the competition.
It is the type of story when she first tasted spiced Indian tea and didn't quite fancy it at that time, but thoroughly enjoyed having lunches of capati and Punjabi style food.
It is the type of story that reminded her how Bollywood was introduced into her life.
The Boys Who Stayed is about 4 boys who formed an unlikely friendship - each one of them going through challenges in their lives but unable to fully talk about it or expressed it because they were still young boys.
The Boys Who Stayed is like a bowl of piping hot ABC soup for the soul - one that warms your heart and lingers with a fragrant aftertaste, making you want more.
It is a beautifully written tale about growing up.
It is authentically Malaysian.
It is the type of story that takes you down memory lane to when you were 13 years old and the only Chinese girl in your class (SMK) - 1 Bestari too 😂.
It is the type of story that reminded you the way Wei Jian felt was how you felt - isolated, quiet, out of place and a Chinese girl that speaks English more fluently than the mandarin she learned for 6 years in SRJK (C).
It is the type of story that reminded her that her Malay was also textbook, where the new primary school headmaster at that time made it mandatory for all the students to memorize a karangan daily and then to write it down word for word without looking at the book in class every morning; to improve our vocabs and writing skills apparently.
It is the type of story that also reminded her of the unique friendship she formed with 3 girl friends - 2 Punjabis and an Indian.
It is the type of story that reminded her of the memories she made where all 4 of them joined Kadet Remaja together just because it was the least tedious, least hardworking unit beruniform and the easiest to ponteng during the Saturday Hari Koko where they will escape via the school's front gate and cross the overhead bridge to head to town and the mall.
It is the type of story that reminded her when they joined choral speaking and practiced endlessly together for the competition.
It is the type of story when she first tasted spiced Indian tea and didn't quite fancy it at that time, but thoroughly enjoyed having lunches of capati and Punjabi style food.
It is the type of story that reminded her how Bollywood was introduced into her life.
The Boys Who Stayed is about 4 boys who formed an unlikely friendship - each one of them going through challenges in their lives but unable to fully talk about it or expressed it because they were still young boys.
The Boys Who Stayed is like a bowl of piping hot ABC soup for the soul - one that warms your heart and lingers with a fragrant aftertaste, making you want more.
It is a beautifully written tale about growing up.
It is authentically Malaysian.
June 2, 2026
I loved how unapologetically Malaysian this book feels. The puns and jokes carry extra layers of meaning when you understand the local nuances. The friendship between the boys are my favorite parts.
June 4, 2026
I must say that I underestimated this book a little before I read it, now that I have finished it, it left me some empty space in my heart. Not in a bad way but in a very normal way. this book is very heartwarming and touching. as a light reads, it successfully makes me shed my tears! hahaha but I still want more of the story! maybe an adult version of the 4 boys? and more story of Syafiq and Haziq please. Please keep writing Jellybean. I will support you🫶🏻
November 3, 2026
Such a beautiful, heartwarming story about friendship, family, acceptance and finding a place where you truly belong.
At its heart, this is a story about Wei Jian, a Chinese boy trying to find his footing in a Malay school and slowly learning to blend into a world that initially feels unfamiliar to him. Through his friendship with Danial, Haziq and Syafiq, we get to see how beautiful it is when friendship goes beyond race, language and cultural differences.
One of my favourite things about this story is how Jian would constantly visit Danial's house and spend time there. There's something incredibly heartwarming about seeing him slowly become part of Danial's family. I love the moment when Danial's mother introduces Jian as her anak angkat. That little gesture speaks volumes. Sometimes, family isn't just about blood relations... it's also about the people who make room for you in their hearts.
Danial himself comes from a mixed Chinese-Malay family with a Chinese father and a Malay mother. F find this interesting because his own background adds another layer to the story especially when it comes to identity, culture and belonging.
Can we talk about how these boys first became friends? No introduction, no awkward attempts at making friends. Just a simple game of guli... that's how it all began.
F also love how Jellybean brings Malaysian culture into the story. From everyday interactions to the little things that make up our childhood memories, everything feels familiar and close to home.
What makes this story special is that it doesn't just tell us about four boys growing up. It reminds us that everyone carries their own struggles, even when they don't show them.
Definitely a story that leaves you with a warm feeling long after you've turned the last page.
At its heart, this is a story about Wei Jian, a Chinese boy trying to find his footing in a Malay school and slowly learning to blend into a world that initially feels unfamiliar to him. Through his friendship with Danial, Haziq and Syafiq, we get to see how beautiful it is when friendship goes beyond race, language and cultural differences.
One of my favourite things about this story is how Jian would constantly visit Danial's house and spend time there. There's something incredibly heartwarming about seeing him slowly become part of Danial's family. I love the moment when Danial's mother introduces Jian as her anak angkat. That little gesture speaks volumes. Sometimes, family isn't just about blood relations... it's also about the people who make room for you in their hearts.
Danial himself comes from a mixed Chinese-Malay family with a Chinese father and a Malay mother. F find this interesting because his own background adds another layer to the story especially when it comes to identity, culture and belonging.
Can we talk about how these boys first became friends? No introduction, no awkward attempts at making friends. Just a simple game of guli... that's how it all began.
F also love how Jellybean brings Malaysian culture into the story. From everyday interactions to the little things that make up our childhood memories, everything feels familiar and close to home.
What makes this story special is that it doesn't just tell us about four boys growing up. It reminds us that everyone carries their own struggles, even when they don't show them.
Definitely a story that leaves you with a warm feeling long after you've turned the last page.
June 14, 2026
First time baca buku yg ada character chinese and sebab tu juga i chose this book cause i would like to know what, why and how of the character.
What are the POV’s of a chinese boy about his personal life, about malay’s friends, about their religion, culture and bahasa, about his family’s thought of his behavior and acceptance.
Why some of chinese chose to be friends with other races and why some of them not to. Why some of them learn other cultures and religions but some of them choose to convert or stay. Why some of them keeping the other races friends but some just let them go like it just a phase of life.
How they go through the uncles aunties who worried, how he adapting to a new surrounding and how was he convinced his mother to stay is tear me up. The conversation and comfort that his mother need from her only son after what she gone through.
To be honest, i actually dislike the character of wei jian’s mother who gives more attention to work than her only son who still growing and obviously all alone. Not putting any effort to build the mother son relationship yet the audacity to transfer him to smjk all because of afraid to be left by his only lonely son which at his age a mother figure should be present. I can feel the pain when the boys said something like ‘at the end of the day, all decision is from the mother’ - without knowing the reason why the decision was made.
This has open my eyes as a mother myself to give space to my child at decision making that involve them when they are old enough to understand things and to show them that their feelings are valid cause they re human like their parents too.
I dont know how well to describe my feelings after finished the book. Its totally a light reading but giving comfort during my reading journey. And now that i finished it, im hoping to read the boys journey more until spm, after spm or until they married why not. Cause this book kinda remind me of GANTUNG series a bit. All about 4 boys who one for all and all for one but with their own version of friendship.
What are the POV’s of a chinese boy about his personal life, about malay’s friends, about their religion, culture and bahasa, about his family’s thought of his behavior and acceptance.
Why some of chinese chose to be friends with other races and why some of them not to. Why some of them learn other cultures and religions but some of them choose to convert or stay. Why some of them keeping the other races friends but some just let them go like it just a phase of life.
How they go through the uncles aunties who worried, how he adapting to a new surrounding and how was he convinced his mother to stay is tear me up. The conversation and comfort that his mother need from her only son after what she gone through.
To be honest, i actually dislike the character of wei jian’s mother who gives more attention to work than her only son who still growing and obviously all alone. Not putting any effort to build the mother son relationship yet the audacity to transfer him to smjk all because of afraid to be left by his only lonely son which at his age a mother figure should be present. I can feel the pain when the boys said something like ‘at the end of the day, all decision is from the mother’ - without knowing the reason why the decision was made.
This has open my eyes as a mother myself to give space to my child at decision making that involve them when they are old enough to understand things and to show them that their feelings are valid cause they re human like their parents too.
I dont know how well to describe my feelings after finished the book. Its totally a light reading but giving comfort during my reading journey. And now that i finished it, im hoping to read the boys journey more until spm, after spm or until they married why not. Cause this book kinda remind me of GANTUNG series a bit. All about 4 boys who one for all and all for one but with their own version of friendship.
June 1, 2026
I don't like the writing style. I think the dramatic, clipped sentences may work for short forms of storytelling, but not for a whole novel. AI has ruined this type of cadence for me, anyway.
But, the story itself is strong, the emotion is stark and real, and the book is so very very very Malaysian, hence it's a solid 4 star from me.
But, the story itself is strong, the emotion is stark and real, and the book is so very very very Malaysian, hence it's a solid 4 star from me.
October 19, 2026
i wanted to like this, but the prose reads to me as entirely ai-generated. nearly every single paragraph is built out of 1-3 word sentences, and almost nothing above 10 words. it was just these endless short quippy sentences in that signature ai cadence.
around chapter 5, i played a where’s waldo game of ai tells (negative parallelism, rule of threes, manufactured significance). in about 15 pages, i counted 48 occurrences of these. a few occurrences of each i can still forgive. call it a stylistic choice, but to this extent? i think it’s quite clear.
i was also looking for the poignant, Malaysian story other reviewers were raving about. i found no such thing. they celebrate this as deeply malaysian but it has no Indian characters of any significance. not one. the central story is of a Chinese boy assimilating into Malay culture. so i suppose in a way it is malaysian after all, sidelining Indian Malaysians and painting Malaysia as a two-community story.
for me, the human touch is absolutely essential in literature. and it is sorely missing here.
around chapter 5, i played a where’s waldo game of ai tells (negative parallelism, rule of threes, manufactured significance). in about 15 pages, i counted 48 occurrences of these. a few occurrences of each i can still forgive. call it a stylistic choice, but to this extent? i think it’s quite clear.
i was also looking for the poignant, Malaysian story other reviewers were raving about. i found no such thing. they celebrate this as deeply malaysian but it has no Indian characters of any significance. not one. the central story is of a Chinese boy assimilating into Malay culture. so i suppose in a way it is malaysian after all, sidelining Indian Malaysians and painting Malaysia as a two-community story.
for me, the human touch is absolutely essential in literature. and it is sorely missing here.
October 8, 2026
This book challenged this orang putih’s Malay skills, but it was so worth it! Such a cute story full of life lessons for any culture and age.
September 8, 2026
4.25 ⭐
This book is wholesome 😆😆😆 I love it so much. I very enjoyed the book, love the relationship between Wei Jian and other malay boys. The started of the friendship is always something simple that sometimes we don't even remember.
Within this book, I learned a bit of perspective of Chinese people (not everyone obviously) and I grateful with that. Growing up a malay, I never had moments of identity crisis between two race like Danial and learning malay was easy (obviously cause I'm malay). Such an insight for me.
Lastly, I really like how Wei Jian and his mom having conversations where some people or parents don't want to have conversations and just giving order to the children and say 'parents know the best'. That the sad part to me. Knowing not all people can be tolerated as Wei Jian mom.
This book is wholesome 😆😆😆 I love it so much. I very enjoyed the book, love the relationship between Wei Jian and other malay boys. The started of the friendship is always something simple that sometimes we don't even remember.
Within this book, I learned a bit of perspective of Chinese people (not everyone obviously) and I grateful with that. Growing up a malay, I never had moments of identity crisis between two race like Danial and learning malay was easy (obviously cause I'm malay). Such an insight for me.
Lastly, I really like how Wei Jian and his mom having conversations where some people or parents don't want to have conversations and just giving order to the children and say 'parents know the best'. That the sad part to me. Knowing not all people can be tolerated as Wei Jian mom.
June 15, 2026
Kudos to author for writing this book.
From thread and ebook (i guess?) and now, a published book.
From a SJKC to SK. One young boy trying to settle himself down with the obstacles of 'talking' Malay with his new surrounding.
SPOILER ALERT!!
pros :
I really love how this book feels so malaysian - the surrounding, the feeling of Sekolah Kebangsaan, makcik selling kuih, canteen, and then comes to the part of being anak angkat to a Malay parents, questions regarding Islam, entering kompang team, etc. I love all of this. It reminds me of my Sekolah Kebangsaan. It takes you back to being an 11 year old kid with enthusiasm of wanted to learn and making new friends. Ahh, the nostalgia. Considering what Wei Jian has gone through before he changes to SK, it broke my heart too. Because I understand it all too well :)
Danial, Haziq, Syafiq and Wei Jian. From Guli, to Mamak Bros. I really love their dynamic and friendship. Kind, Achiever, Mischievious, and A chinese kid :D Mixed up, and became a mamak bros.
cons:
The writing. one word. sometimes 3 words. but not more than 10 or 20 words to make a description. If it's on Threads, yes, I can understand that - because of the limitations of the words when posting. But this is a published book. It should be full of descriptive, and with explanations of words. It spoils my mood a bit, due to the VERY SIMPLE SENTENCES and stop at 1 - 4 words only. To be honest, I was forcing myself to read the book - because I believe that the content, the message of the story is mattered. But, along reading the only-4-words-sentences, I was talking to myself "should I really continue this book..."
Still an okay read. It's good for those youngsters yang tak tahu bina ayat dalam bahasa inggeris, then this book should be for them :)
From thread and ebook (i guess?) and now, a published book.
From a SJKC to SK. One young boy trying to settle himself down with the obstacles of 'talking' Malay with his new surrounding.
SPOILER ALERT!!
pros :
I really love how this book feels so malaysian - the surrounding, the feeling of Sekolah Kebangsaan, makcik selling kuih, canteen, and then comes to the part of being anak angkat to a Malay parents, questions regarding Islam, entering kompang team, etc. I love all of this. It reminds me of my Sekolah Kebangsaan. It takes you back to being an 11 year old kid with enthusiasm of wanted to learn and making new friends. Ahh, the nostalgia. Considering what Wei Jian has gone through before he changes to SK, it broke my heart too. Because I understand it all too well :)
Danial, Haziq, Syafiq and Wei Jian. From Guli, to Mamak Bros. I really love their dynamic and friendship. Kind, Achiever, Mischievious, and A chinese kid :D Mixed up, and became a mamak bros.
cons:
The writing. one word. sometimes 3 words. but not more than 10 or 20 words to make a description. If it's on Threads, yes, I can understand that - because of the limitations of the words when posting. But this is a published book. It should be full of descriptive, and with explanations of words. It spoils my mood a bit, due to the VERY SIMPLE SENTENCES and stop at 1 - 4 words only. To be honest, I was forcing myself to read the book - because I believe that the content, the message of the story is mattered. But, along reading the only-4-words-sentences, I was talking to myself "should I really continue this book..."
Still an okay read. It's good for those youngsters yang tak tahu bina ayat dalam bahasa inggeris, then this book should be for them :)
August 31, 2026
At some point the writing style started to grate at me. It felt gimmicky and forced. However what this book manages to capture is something I don't often get to see in literature set in Malaysia. This book for the most part is about living in the in-between spaces of life; of adolescence, or identity. Not sure if it's intentional but it is a great counterpoint to something like The Accidental Malay, for better or worse. While that book felt like it was written by someone who never grew up in Malaysia, certainly never had any real experiences within the Malay community, this book takes the complete opposite approach. Small minute details of life get brought up (one example that stood out to me was the bit about Malay tea being more sugar than leaf). On the other hand, this book does depict a perhaps overly rosy version of living in this country. There is some bullying but there isn't a targeted element to it; all kids can be mean so even the main character does it, because he's misunderstood. Every conflict gets solved conveniently by the wrong person becoming aware of their wrongs and making amends. When I described all the family conflicts to my friend she also laughed at the unrealistic level of emotional regulation the adults displayed. It's complicated living as a Malaysian and this book shows that, but in a restrained, contained way. Worth a read, but also note that reality is much messier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
📚✨ Best betul cerita ni. Tak rugi baca langsung. Sepatutnya tiada dalam list PBAKL aku, tapi terbeli juga sebab kawan dalam group menulis jadi proofreader untuk buku ni. 🤭
👦🏻📖 Awalnya aku sangka cerita budak sekolah biasa-biasa sebab tengok cover. Rupanya tidak. The Boys Who Stayed membawa kisah persahabatan Wei Jian, Guli, Anjing Gila dan Anak Angkat yang berkembang menjadi sesuatu yang lebih besar. ❤️
🎢 Alur cerita dia steady je pada awalnya, kemudian perlahan-lahan bawa kita naik roller coaster emosi.
✍️ Ayat pendek, santai dan mudah dibaca. Dalam masa yang sama, kita belajar tentang keluarga, persahabatan, komunikasi dan budaya Malaysia. 🇲🇾💕
🥤🫓 Dan ya... bersedia untuk teringin roti canai dengan Milo Dinosaur. 😅🫡
📚💫 Senang cerita, beli je. 🤭
👦🏻📖 Awalnya aku sangka cerita budak sekolah biasa-biasa sebab tengok cover. Rupanya tidak. The Boys Who Stayed membawa kisah persahabatan Wei Jian, Guli, Anjing Gila dan Anak Angkat yang berkembang menjadi sesuatu yang lebih besar. ❤️
🎢 Alur cerita dia steady je pada awalnya, kemudian perlahan-lahan bawa kita naik roller coaster emosi.
✍️ Ayat pendek, santai dan mudah dibaca. Dalam masa yang sama, kita belajar tentang keluarga, persahabatan, komunikasi dan budaya Malaysia. 🇲🇾💕
🥤🫓 Dan ya... bersedia untuk teringin roti canai dengan Milo Dinosaur. 😅🫡
📚💫 Senang cerita, beli je. 🤭
July 8, 2026
Love sangat the storyline of the book. I literally can imagine being in Wei Juan's shoe by reading all the beautifully written story here. As for beginners yang baru nak berjinak jinak baca English books, this is for you 🫵🏻. Ayat semua senang faham and saya habiskan half of the book just in one day and dalam kereta for 7 hours long tauuu. SEL-TGN and literally senang je nak pahammm. So if you guys still complicating to read this book or not, DON'T! BACA JE. Tak sabar nak tunggu author publish cerita yang sekarang dia jual softcopy to hardcopy and buat collections untuk cerita Wei Jian ni. Okayy that's all from me and sorry tulis review campur melayuu english sebab excited sangat tulis macam tengah borak ngan kawan pasal buku ni😆.
September 2, 2026
4.8 stars🥹⭐️
If there is one book I could define as the absolute embodiment of "cozy," this would be it.
As someone who moved around and transferred between three different schools growing up, I related deeply to Wei Jian. That terrifying feeling of walking through a brand-new school gate without knowing a single soul, stepping into an unfamiliar classroom, and eating lunch alone at the canteen for those first few days, it all hit so close to home. Trying to navigate new social circles is daunting, but looking back, it was such a meaningful experience.
Reading this made me miss the friends who welcomed me with open arms when I had no one else. This book is exceptionally heartwarming, sweet, and cozy, and the friendship between the boys is something I truly admire🤏🏻
If there is one book I could define as the absolute embodiment of "cozy," this would be it.
As someone who moved around and transferred between three different schools growing up, I related deeply to Wei Jian. That terrifying feeling of walking through a brand-new school gate without knowing a single soul, stepping into an unfamiliar classroom, and eating lunch alone at the canteen for those first few days, it all hit so close to home. Trying to navigate new social circles is daunting, but looking back, it was such a meaningful experience.
Reading this made me miss the friends who welcomed me with open arms when I had no one else. This book is exceptionally heartwarming, sweet, and cozy, and the friendship between the boys is something I truly admire🤏🏻
June 17, 2026
Kudos to the author for the heartfelt and warm story!
Miss could literally feel the Malaysian vibe. Yes, "Because we're bros."
Short and simple kind of writing. Definitely suitable for light reading. Some chapters really made miss reflect on myself, especially through Danial's inner conflict.
Love seeing Wei Jian's growth throughout the story, from a boy who spoke Malay like a robot to someone fluent. From someone who cannot read Jawi, now know how to read Jawi. Miss also liked how Wei Jian's curiosity about Islam served as a good refresher on basic Islamic concepts and practices.
Overall, miss enjoyed the book so much!
Personal rating - 4.5
Miss could literally feel the Malaysian vibe. Yes, "Because we're bros."
Short and simple kind of writing. Definitely suitable for light reading. Some chapters really made miss reflect on myself, especially through Danial's inner conflict.
Love seeing Wei Jian's growth throughout the story, from a boy who spoke Malay like a robot to someone fluent. From someone who cannot read Jawi, now know how to read Jawi. Miss also liked how Wei Jian's curiosity about Islam served as a good refresher on basic Islamic concepts and practices.
Overall, miss enjoyed the book so much!
Personal rating - 4.5
September 14, 2026
Honestly, this book was such a wholesome read 🥹🤍 It follows Wei Jian a Chinese boy who transfers to SK & slowly learns BM while making new friends along the way. The story also shows Wei Jian's mom dealing with loneliness and the fear of losing her son as he starts exploring new things and fitting into a different environment. What made the book even better was how the author included sirah, prophets' stories & Malaysian culture so naturally without making it feel heavy. The school vibes, gotong-royong, surau & all the little Malaysian details made everything feel close to home & resonates deeply bcs it reflects real-life experiences.
June 14, 2026
University student. Week 12. Read a book about 4 high school students. Make me miss more about school, study for spm and lepak especially waktu cikgu tak masuk or lepak dekat tealive every friday afternoon before sekolah sesi petang start. And the pusing satu sekolah atas alasan “pergi tandas”.
But its more than that.
Miss how my mother kejut 5AM everyday. The one who lied “dah lambat dah ni” eventhough baru pukul 5:30AM. Yang “makan la dulu” or prepared air pagi pagi. The one yang skip meeting to attend school programme just because her daughter participated in it. And the one who lost her husband but still managed to raise 4 childrens on her own.
Thats how this book make me reflected everything. How grateful and thankful i am.
But its more than that.
Miss how my mother kejut 5AM everyday. The one who lied “dah lambat dah ni” eventhough baru pukul 5:30AM. Yang “makan la dulu” or prepared air pagi pagi. The one yang skip meeting to attend school programme just because her daughter participated in it. And the one who lost her husband but still managed to raise 4 childrens on her own.
Thats how this book make me reflected everything. How grateful and thankful i am.
June 21, 2026
Nice and pleasant story to read, but it didnt leave a strong impression on me overall. The story felt quite simple and lacked emotional depth at times. The plot was very straightforward, bit dry, and the prose didnt always click with me. There were also moments where the writing felt repetitive.
Still, the message of the book was delivered well and carried a warm heartfelt feeling. There were a few emotional moments that made my eyes water, but not enough to bring me to tears hehe. While the book didnt fully resonate with me, it was still a comforting and easy read👍🏻
Still, the message of the book was delivered well and carried a warm heartfelt feeling. There were a few emotional moments that made my eyes water, but not enough to bring me to tears hehe. While the book didnt fully resonate with me, it was still a comforting and easy read👍🏻
July 28, 2026
Read in one sitting! Such a heartwarming stories, layered deeper to give you something to think about, how your normal isn’t anyone else’s. As obvious as it seems, most of the time, many took it for granted. Familiarity makes the stone drowsy to step onto, looking into one thing, emphasising it more to everyday life as it goes. The first book that made me annotate- using a paper book-tab still; fair (also did the author lived in my head in the beginning of the many wonderful descriptions???) was expecting to cry but didn’t but the story is beautifully written melancholic-ly.
June 10, 2026
(Read in one day)
Faham sangat perasaan Wei Jian yang terpaksa jadi budak baru. Bukan SJK saja tapi SK yang majoriti ramai Melayu. Nak cari kawan baru ingat senang bila kita ni lain dari yang lain. Contoh bila Melayu atau India masuk SJK. Masih rasa janggal juga kan, lain kalau dari tadika dah ngam.
Sebab guli dorang jadi kawan. Walaupun personaliti semua lain lain tapi 'Kita semua or no one."
Cuma kenapa penggunaan 'Aku' dengan cikgu dan mak ayah. Sedikit pelik.
Faham sangat perasaan Wei Jian yang terpaksa jadi budak baru. Bukan SJK saja tapi SK yang majoriti ramai Melayu. Nak cari kawan baru ingat senang bila kita ni lain dari yang lain. Contoh bila Melayu atau India masuk SJK. Masih rasa janggal juga kan, lain kalau dari tadika dah ngam.
Sebab guli dorang jadi kawan. Walaupun personaliti semua lain lain tapi 'Kita semua or no one."
Cuma kenapa penggunaan 'Aku' dengan cikgu dan mak ayah. Sedikit pelik.
October 25, 2026
Seronok buku niii. They boys are so cute. Cuma penulisan je macam pelik sikit sebab pendek2 ayat, tapi tak apa sebab yang ini aku boleh ignore je.
Buku ni pasal Wei Jian yang adapt dengan malay society. Setting di Subang. Berlainan culture tapi at the end of the day kita semua Malaysian. Ada banyak persamaan. Jadi, focus sahaja di situ. Persamaan.
Btw, dorang memang cakap 'aku' ke dengan orang dewasa? Biadap kan tu? Confuse aku.
Buku ni pasal Wei Jian yang adapt dengan malay society. Setting di Subang. Berlainan culture tapi at the end of the day kita semua Malaysian. Ada banyak persamaan. Jadi, focus sahaja di situ. Persamaan.
Btw, dorang memang cakap 'aku' ke dengan orang dewasa? Biadap kan tu? Confuse aku.
September 13, 2026
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
this book is 90% narration & 10% dialog which is quite different than other books. but the 90% narration is the reason why this book is good. i really love how the author describes the situation/feelings. very detailed 🥹
4 boys with differents backgrounds & personality become friends. lepak mamak every friday at 10 pm. the friendship is so precious ✨✨
this book is 90% narration & 10% dialog which is quite different than other books. but the 90% narration is the reason why this book is good. i really love how the author describes the situation/feelings. very detailed 🥹
4 boys with differents backgrounds & personality become friends. lepak mamak every friday at 10 pm. the friendship is so precious ✨✨
June 24, 2026
Never did I expect that I would fall in love with this book so much! 🤍 The friendship and bond between the characters, regardless of their faiths and religions, truly moved me. I really love the way the writer describes every detail, making the story even more beautiful and meaningful ✨
August 28, 2026
Read a lot of good reviews of this book. Although some of the storyline and events are very much relatable and nostalgic to one's childhood in Malaysian schools, I found it to be too simple for my preference - be it in terms of storyline, emotions and style of writing.
October 13, 2026
rated this book 4.5 bc i was jealous with their friendship but im not that petty to rate it low since this book is good. especially the relationship between the moms is so amazing like they have never met before but the maternal instict is there! sukanya! nk ada kawan jugak hm…
November 2, 2026
I've been to public school and Jellybean did a great job of portraying the life there. Although schools differ, he still kept the essence of the friendship you'll find there, I myself have ponteng class a couple of times with my friends😁
June 14, 2026
a book where everyone has something to relate to. great book to read and relax to
August 15, 2026
A warmth friendship
October 27, 2026
such a beautiful story a chinese boy trying to adapt with his new life and getting adopted along the way
October 29, 2026
Please make a sequel or spin-off from this books characters. The plot was so good.
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