Fish Boy

by Chloe Daykin, Richard Jones (Illustrations)

Billy is a lonely boy. He's obsessed with swimming in the sea, which is where he goes to wash his problems far, far away. Thanks to his mum's mystery illness, his dad has been forced to work extra hours to make ends meet, so Billy locks himself away with David Attenborough films, and ponders the magic of nature. Meanwhile at school, bullies mercilessly seize on Billy's 'otherness' and make his life as miserable as possible - but then new boy Patrick Green, with "fingers like steel, strength of a bear", joins Billy's class. And when a mackerel swims up to Billy's face, blows bubbles into his Vista Clear Mask goggles and Fish Boy - Billy's whole world changes.

Genres: Family, Animals, Middle Grade, Nature, Friendship, Fiction, Young Adult

ebook

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Λίνα Θωμάρεη · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readathon 12/26 Ένα παιδικό βιβλίου που εκδόθηκε από το 2011 και μετά.

The book was a fantastic adventure in Billy's life ...
Billy is a student of elementary school who lives to be in the sea ... that's why They all calling him fish boy.
But everything changes in his life when his mother gets sick ...

Then the imagination and reality become a tangle that complicates and make up this magical book that at some points reminds you of your own childhood and your own magical worlds.

3.5 Sea Stars

[Niamh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly creative!
This is a beautiful book with so much to talk about. Billy's view of the world is so fresh and imaginative, a unique look at the world!
I really like the way that topics are covered within this story- from his mum's illness to his struggle with friendships. We go on a journey with Billy while he learns to cope and let new people into his world (side note I think everyone needs a Patrick in their life).

The writing of this book is so well done, as a reader I felt how Billy felt and experienced life. A really well written and beautifully told story.

[Emma Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb- original, heart-warming, shocking and magical. There's so much to wonder at in this brilliant story. Hard to believe its a debut- I can't wait to see what Chloe Daykin writes next.

[Tom Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy is a boy who has a hectic life and struggles to make sense of it all. His Dad is hard-working and busy while his Mum held back by a condition that he doesn't want to face yet. He also has no friends and is bullied by the children at school who have given him the nickname 'fish boy'. Billy uses swimming in the sea to escape his life; it is there where he feels most alive. It is also here that Billy comes face-to-face with a talking fish. It is not until a new boy, Patrick, moves to his town that he finds someone who he can share this strange experience with. As the tale unfolds, it is Patrick who helps Billy to come to terms with himself, his mum's condition and how to enjoy the world he lives in.

Daykin has written a truly great novel here, it has a delicate mix of humour, anxiety and warmth that makes it so. Daykin's writing is fantastic, she makes you feel Billy's anxiety and stress with the world and the relief that is felt when he finally comes to accept himself and his ill mother is felt by the reader as much as him. Billy is a complex and well-written character, I felt myself getting frustrated with him at times as there were characters who were eager to help him. But then that in itself is the manifestation of the anxiety that he feels himself: the personal battle that leads to pushing people away. I loved Patrick - he was determined to help his friend and his admittance of his own stress of being forced to move around due to his Dad's work was very touching and well done.

I loved Daykin's choice of having Billy's mum have ME. Growing up with a family member who has an often misunderstood and difficult to deal with condition (MS in my case), I can say that is it really important that children are exposed to literature featuring rare conditions as while they may be rare they are not alone in the feelings they feel towards a loved one. I would love to use this novel with my class to explore the emotions that I have discussed, and beyond.

[Chris Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fish Boy is a gorgeous book, full of wonder and humour. It deals with difficult subjects in a unique and engaging manner that draws you deep into its watery world. Fantastic.

[Mrs G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. There were many things I loved about it but also elements I found quite bizarre. I have found myself thinking about it a lot since I put it down: a good sign! A strange tale.

[Anna [Floanne] · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una vera delusione per questo libro che mi era stato consigliato alla Giunti (ok le commesse sono clamorosamente di parte, essendo una loro edizione, però sono solitamente molto competenti) definendolo all’altezza di Wonder e di altri libri per ragazzi molto validi. Niente di più falso. Per l’80% del libro mi sono chiesta dove l’autrice volesse andare a parare. Cercavo tra le pagine un riscontro a quella miriade di recensioni entusiastiche e fino all’ultima pagina non ho trovato risposta.
Billy è un ragazzino che ama il mare e a cui piace nuotare, che si trova a dover affrontare molte situazioni complesse per la sua giovane età. A questo punto l’autrice mescola un po’ di tutto: bullismo, madre malata, incomprensioni con i genitori, nuove amicizie ecc... ma la storia surreale dei pesci che parlano a Billy non mi sembra funzioni molto ai fini della trama.
Do due stelle perché una sola la riservo solitamente a libri ben peggiori e perché i riferimenti a Sir David Attenborough sono calzanti e, in realtà, rappresentano la parte migliore del romanzo, però confesso che mi vergogno un po’ di averlo regalato per un compleanno ad un compagno di mio figlio! o magari a lui sarà anche piaciuto, chi lo sa?!?
Ah, un’ultima nota sulle illustrazioni: carine ma nulla di eccezionale.

[Il salotto del gatto libraio Graziano · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE COMPLETA SUL BLOG IL SALOTTO DEL GATTO LIBRAIO
https://ilsalottodelgattolibraio.blog...

Fish Boy è la storia di un bambino di 12 anni, Billy Shiel, amante della natura, ma soprattutto delle teorie del suo mentore invisibile, il naturalista Sir David Attenborough.
Billy è un bambino introverso, timido, solo e forse, proprio a causa di questo, spesso si ritrova ad essere bullizzato dai compagni di scuola. Per fortuna che a strappargli un sorriso, ci sono il nuoto e il mare... l'acqua è il suo ambiente naturale ed è qui che riesce ad avere qualche momento spensierato. Anche in casa infatti la situazione non è delle migliori, sua madre sembra essere preda di una misteriosa malattia che la rende ogni giornio sempre più stanca e debole.

E sarà proprio durante una delle sue incursioni in mare, che Billy farà un incontro molto particolare... si ritroverà infatti, faccia a faccia con un piccolo pesce ma non un pesce qualunque... uno sgombro parlante. È possibile che con tutti i problemi che ha, ora inizi ad avere anche le allucinazioni?

"Penso sia come i lividi. La gente capisce quando qualcosa ti fa male solo quando quel dolore è visibile, quando lascia il segno. E quando questo succede, in effetti il male è passato, la gente crede a quello che vede. Se lo vedi, ci credi. E se la gente non lo vede, è un tuo problema. Ti lasciano solo."

Sempre più demoralizzato e in netta difficoltà nel gestire sia le forvianti situazioni a scuola che in casa, Billy sull'orlo della depressione adolescenziale, trova uno spiraglio di luce attraverso il suo nuovo compagno di scuola, Patrick.
Patrick non giudica, non disprezza ma soprattutto ascolta e quando Billy ormai chiamato da tutti Fish Boy per la sua pelle che è increspata come le onde, gli rivelerà l'incontro con il pesce, Patrick lo spronerà a vincere le sue paure e andare in fondo alla questione.

Fish Boy è una storia dolce, originale che con delicatezza parla affronta temi molto attuali e importanti come il bullismo, o l'incapacità di riuscire ad emergerne da soli e di trovare il coraggio di chiedere "aiuto".
È una storia commovente, emozionante, adatta soprattuto ai ragazzi che frequentano le medie o le superiore e che spesso sono vittime di bullismo.
Fish boy apparentemente sembra una storia semplice ma in realtà evidenzia molti problemi come il passaggio dall’età infantile all’adolescenza o come, la malattia di un genitore, si rifletta sulla vita del proprio figlio.

Fish Boy però è anche una bellissima storia di amicizia, quella tra due bambini che hanno in comune la solitudine ma che alla fine si ritrovano e si aiutano... ovviamente va evidenziata anche quell'amicizia spettacolare, particolare e quasi utopica, tra l'"uomo" e la natura.

Lo stile di Chloe Daykin è semplice ma al tempo stesso anche molto particolare e ve ne accorgerete soprattutto quando il nostro protagonista, Billy, incontrerà il piccolo pesce parlante...
Che altro dirvi se non che questo libro ha anche una veste grafica magnifica? Lo consiglio veramente a tutti!

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent debut by Daykin a book whose words and narrative read so much like David Almond and yet was entirely Daykin's own. The story is one in which a young boy with an incredible memory of the natural world (particularly anything shared by Attenborough) tries to come to terms with a family event which he finds too challenging to accept alongside all the other things that are going on in his life.
Without giving anything anyway, it is the partnership between Daykin and Jones' illustrations that help raise this book even higher (the prose was strong enough to stand on its own but I can't deny that those spreads with Jones' work brought the reading experience to another level). The play, when it happens, between words and image make for a different, immersive experience. The pictures are not tokenistic at all. They serve that purpose of drawing the reader in.
A wonderful first novel for children and I shall be watching Daykin's work with great interest.

[Ellis Poolford-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book as an audiobook from Whole Story Audiobooks, narrated by Scott Turnbull.

Firstly, I cannot reccomend enough that if you are to read this book, to your child or for a fun children's/YA read, PLEASE listen to the audio edition. Scott Turnbull's narration is absolutely, lough out extremely very loud, OUTSTANDING.

And second - everyone should read this book! I have genuinely never laughed out loud so much at a book, and it was just absolutely charming and delightful. The book follows the story and internal dialogue of Billy, a David Attenborough and nature enthusiast, especially with all things that are under the sea. It blends together the struggles of being a boy who is different, along with addressing the impact of M.E, and also, some whimsical, somewhat fishy discussion too... (I'll leave it at that as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book yet!)

This book is so wonderfully written - as a twenty-five year old reader (as apposed to the older child/YA market), I found it so enjoyable - it bought me back to a mindset of when I was younger and fascinated with everything around me. Chloe Daykin has absolutely represented the essence and natural beauty of the mindset of a child - the wonder, the awe, that so many adults forget along the way of growing up - and I'm so glad she wrote this fantastic book to allow me to experience that again. If you're reading it to children, it holds so many morally important messages, but presents it in such a fun, lighthearted way that will be relatable and understandable to the desired reading group.

And to end my review with my favourite quote of the whole book, 'my lobster alarm clock is beeping its pincers off!'

[Valery Tikappa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Billie è un ragazzino di dodici anni innamorato del mare e del nuoto, con una madre malata e una vita scolastica tormentata dai bulli.
L’unico suo sfogo è l’acqua con i suoi pesci, che sembrano comunicare con lui, e Patrick, un nuovo compagno di scuola che si trasforma presto nel suo migliore amico.

Avrei tanto voluto che Fish boy mi piacesse.
Non è un brutto libro, non lo è per nulla, è solo che non è il libro adatto a me, probabilmente a causa dell’età del protagonista.
Nonostante questo, è un libro con temi importanti trattati con delicatezza, in modo da poter essere affrontati anche da lettori più giovani: il bullismo, la malattia, l’apatia e la difficoltà che i più sensibili hanno nell’elaborare alcune situazioni sono elementi che emergono bene al fianco di quelli più positivi, come l’importanza della famiglia e dell’amicizia.

Il problema, secondo me, è che è un po’ confusionario nella scelta di rappresentare come una sorta di realismo magico un messaggio metaforico importante come quello che Fish Boy nasconde.
Ecco perchè, per quanto lo abbia apprezzato, non sia riuscita a farmi conquistare.

Nonostante ciò, dato anche lo stile molto scorrevole e intimo, dato dal POV in prima persona di Billie, lo trovo molto adatto ad un pubblico giovane e curioso, capace di godersi una bella avventura e magari anche un bel messaggio.

[Hanneleele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vahva ja elujaatav lasteraamat, mis käsitleb ka tõsiseid teemasid (kiusamine, sõprus, vanema haigus...).

[Hristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 bună ideea, dar prea monotonă în desfășurare, lipsită de frumusețea marilor texte.

[Ratnah Tanakoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you've fed him for a lifetime."

Actually no, this book has nothing to do with Fishing or old Chinese proverbs - therefore, sorry for my bad pun & irrelevant quote above, haha; but, it is rather an imaginary exploration into the life of young Billy, who as a passionate swimmer, finds his escape at sea while his father works full time and mother suffers from ME - Myalgic Encephalopathy.

Narrated through the eyes of young Billy, to me, Fish Boy is such a heartfelt story, and it is as well my first read from Chloe Daykin. Many a times the book made me think of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; however, although they are both written in a very weird & unique creative style, they are very much different. But then, I have enjoyed both the same, thus, if you have enjoyed the latter, Fish Boy should definitely your pick :)

I have constantly related and empathised with Billy as he finds himself lost in the various confusions of his early life. At numerous occasions, I wanted to hug that kid as a gesture of comfort, but then, it got worse when it dawned upon me that even as adults we do not necessarily have the answers to everything.

Billy goes around swimming in the sea so extensively that the ocean becomes immensely familiar to him when he eventually spots a talking Mackerel who accompanies him. The sense of belonging that he feels in the ocean, so dissimilar to the treatment from his peers at school, is endlessly endearing because he is quite strong-headed amidst all his confusions & answered questions to daringly go find his calling. I loved that.

Then, as a parallel, we understand how Billy is conflicted as he fails to dissect the origin of his mother's condition (ME) where he loses himself into David Attenborough's shows as a search for both answers and meaning. As a reader, you are left in the mind-blowing amazement for the mystery of the Bermuda Triange, not that it is less of a mystery now, but you get to live the novelty of this mystery through the eyes of young Billy. I loved that even more with the book.

Overall, along with the themes explored in this short book, it left me to reflect the extent to which even as growing kids or adults, some of life's confusions and mysteries just remain unanswered. We depend so much on science to comprehend logics, that were once mysteries, but then there are a few areas that have still not been cracked.

Hence, as young Billy, we all just carry on and contemplate those mysteries as we find the warmth of talking fishes with our imagination. See, I told you, this book has nothing to do with Fishing, but then I hope you enjoy it too!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a cute, wholesome, well-written book. I loved it, and the illustrations too!!

[Psicoleggimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Penso sia come con i lividi. La gente capisce quando qualcosa ti fa male solo quando quel dolore è ben visibile, quando lascia il segno. […] E se la gente non lo vede, è un tuo problema.”
Questo è quello che dice Billy, protagonista del libro di Chloe Daykin, “Fish Boy”, che racconta la storia di questo ragazzo di 12 anni, soprannominato, appunto, Fish Boy perché ama il mare e nuotare. E’ un tipo solitario e a scuola viene facilmente bullizzato dai suoi compagni. Preoccupandosi ogni giorno per le condizioni di salute della mamma malata, Billy si fida solo del suo amico immaginario, ma poi grazie a Patrick, un nuovo bambino che arriva nella sua stessa scuola e che inizia a difenderlo, Billy sente di aver trovato finalmente un amico vero di cui fidarsi. Attraverso uno stile semplice e scorrevole, l’autrice introduce un argomento molto attuale: il bullismo. Con questo termine si intende un comportamento aggressivo ripetitivo nei confronti di chi non è in grado di difendersi. I ruoli di questo fenomeno sono ben definiti. Da una parte troviamo il bullo, colui che attua dei comportamenti violenti fisicamente e/o psicologicamente e dall’altra parte la vittima, colui che invece subisce tali atteggiamenti. Il comportamento del bullo è intenzionale, programmato e ripetuto, e spesso egli non è da solo, ma ha dei veri e propri aiutanti, ovvero chi non agisce direttamente ma sostiene il bullo con incitamenti e azioni indirette sulla vittima. Le conseguenze psicologiche per la vittima sono molteplici: perdita dell’autostima, della fiducia negli altri, ripercussioni sui legami di amicizia, isolamento sociale e allontanamento dal gruppo dei pari. Il soggetto ha un vero e proprio terrore di andare a scuola o frequentare luoghi diversi dal contesto famigliare, può iniziare a manifestare ansia e attacchi di panico, cali dell’umore o veri e propri episodi di depressione, disturbi dell’alimentazione nei bambini come anoressia e bulimia. Il passo più importante che una vittima deve fare è trovare il coraggio per rompere il silenzio e raccontare quanto subito. Impresa purtroppo ardua perché contrastata da vergogna, senso di colpa e paura di ulteriore violenza.

Recensione di Psicoleggimi

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billy has got a lot on his mind – things he’d rather not think about. To escape he likes to swim in the sea not far from his home. Another escape has been David Attenborough videos as Billy is an avid nature lover, fascinated in the quirkyness of animals.

One day while swimming, a mackerel swims up to his face and speaks to him. “Fish Boy,” it says. Billy is shocked and surprised and mystified and when he finally blurts it out to his new friend at school (Patrick), he thinks Patrick will begin treating him like the rest of his classmates – because he’s weird.

But Patrick isn’t like the others. Patrick believes him and encourages him to swim again to see what happens. As his life seems to spiral downwards (school bullying and a sick mum), Billy wants to escape to the sea more and more. But Patrick is looking out for him putting his own life at risk.

This isn’t just another ‘sick parent’ story. It’s so much more than that with a touch of magic and wonder. The voice of Billy is brilliant and believable and his relationship with his father heartwarming. David Almond fans will love this different tale. 10+

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a great deal to love about this book. It is the story of an unusual introverted boy who has a lot to handle at the moment. Billy’s mum is not well but he feels like he is not being told the whole truth about her illness and he isn’t coping very well at school. He is obsessed with nature and swimming and throughout the novel the voice over of David Attenborough (Billy’s seemingly invisible friend) appears almost as a minor character. Magical realism in the form of a talking mackerel who calls him “Fish Boy” just adds an extra layer of quirkiness and difference to this story. At its heart though it is a story about dealing with life, mental illness, physical illness, difference, fitting in and bullying. Billy and his dad have a wonderful relationship which is explored with great humour, terrible Dad jokes and gentleness. The addition of Patrick Green, a new classmate at school also shows us that sometimes in life you only need to have that one special friend who “gets” you.

Suitable for 10+

[Book-Social · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would you do if you met a talking fish? And not just any fish, a talking mackerel?

This is what swimming fanatic Billy discovers when swimming in the ocean. Bullied at school and facing problems at home, Billy relates everything to David Attenborough type wildlife scenarios. Is it any wonder then that he comes face to face with a fish (Bob) who not only talks (in Hungarian) but who also wants to whisk Billy off into the safe world of 'Us'. But what if the safe world of 'Us' means disappearing from the real world, and never returning?

This was the first book chosen for my Children's Book Club. At 300 or so pages it was easily managed within the four week allotted time frame, it had so many talking points and I think we are all just a little bit wiser about wildlife, David Attenborough and the Bermuda Triangle.

I loved best friend Patrick, the wannabe magician who stuck by Billy despite his insistence that fish could talk. Throwing stinky socks at each other seemed kind of gross to me but the boys in the club thought this was a pretty OK thing to do. We were impressed that despite Patrick's inability to swim, he handcuffed himself to Billy in an attempt to prevent him disappearing in to the murky depths with Bob.

I particularly loved the relationship between Billy and his parents. So often in children's literature parents are either evil step mums or removed from the picture entirely leaving the lonely, vulnerable child to overcome the odds. This wasn't the route Daykin chose. Billy had a lovely mum and dad who despite the stress of illness were kind, caring and present. Bravo.

I also loved the short Bermuda Triangle sections. Highlighting that somethings, no matter how intelligent we are, we can't explain - a talking fish! The turning point in the book for me was the section where Daykin describes the pilot flying to Miami. Unable to see, surrounded by stormy clouds, the pilot didn't know whether he was going the right way. Yet suddenly the clouds cleared and the pilot ended up in Miami quicker than he should have done. He was going the right way all along, he just didn't know it.

The children awarded it 3 out of 5 fish. Well it is called Fish Boy.

Did you know that crows have worked out that if you drop nuts on to Zebra Crossings, cars will run over them and crush them just enough so the nut can then be eaten?

If you liked Fish Boy try Daykin's new book The Boy Who Hit Play about a boy found abandoned in a zoo as a baby and named Elvis after his adopted father's record collection. Or try Boy Under Water by Adam Baron about a boy who has never swam who sets off to do just that after searching how to front crawl on Google.

[Jo Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading certain books as a kid and feeling weird and spangly and disjointed afterwards. Those books took me out of my own head. Their tight, offbeat language and long uninterrupted pauses helped my imagination lift off!
Things were left unexplained and the authors always had a certain careful carelessness that gave me time and room and permission to indulge in their world and see where it linked with mine.
Fish Boy made me feel all those feelings and I love that there are still authors with such an authentic and engaging style.
I love the gentleness of this book.
I love the humour and the drawing out of each character.
I love the things that are left unsaid.
I love the water in all its forms and who doesn't love an Attenborough fact or two?!?
I love the fact that this book is so very different to the usual run of things.
No spoilers because you really need to sit down and jump into Chloe's world yourself. I reckon it's different for everyone. What a skill to be able to do that to people!
I can't wait to read more of her work - an absolutely gorgeous, warm and funny debut!

[Cristina's Chronicles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mi è piaciuto il giusto questo libro.
Apprezzo moltissimo che sia citata una malattia come la Sindrome Della Stanchezza Cronica, che ha anche mia mamma, che non è molto conosciuta. Però non è ben spiegata, si resta sempre sul superficiale. Quindi lascia il tempo che trova.
Billy, il nostro protagonista, non mi sembra ben scritto: ha 12 anni, va in giro da solo, va d'accordo con i genitori e l'unico dettagli che ci fa pensare che sia un adolescente è il fatto che vuole nascondere la malattia della mamma a tutti.
Tutta la storia ci viene fatta vedere con gli occhi di Billy che spesso si distrae a raccontarci aneddoti su vari animali che portano il lettore fuori dalla narrazione. Più di una volta mi sono persa.
Il discorso dei pesci: non l'ho ben capito. Anche senza pesci parlanti la storia sarebbe stata in piedi lo stesso.

[BlurryBug · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars
This is a sweet story of a boy trying to settle in with his new reality with a sick mum.
He isn't well liked at school, he is a bit odd for liking animal facts and swimming more than "ordinary" activities for boys his age.
This isn't necessarily about bullying but it does touch upon it as our main character is picked on for being, well, himself really.
I as an adult found the story to be sweet and touching. Billy has to tackle life where his mum is sick with undiagnosed issue, money is tighter and things are different then what they were only a year ago.
Not much more to say than it was sweet, touching and I recommend it.

[Lily Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIS BOOK FOR MONTHS I RED IT A FEW YEARS AGO AND HOLY FUCK DID IT CHANGE MY VIEW ON THE HUMAN CONDITION

THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED MY READING OF THIS BOOK;
1. I AM A CHILD OF THE OCEAN
2. MY MOTHER WENT THROUGH A NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND HAD TO STAY IN HOSPITAL AND AT HOME QUITE A LOT SO I RELATED TO THE MAIN CHARACTER A FUCK TON
3. I LOVE ME SOME FUNKY SYNTAX SO THE FISH LANGUAGE WAS LOVELY TO ME

AND MANY MORE

WILL BE RE-READING THIS BOOK SOON !!!!

[Pietro Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

La prima volta che l'ho letto è stato nel 2019, dopo 3 anni ho deciso di riprenderlo in mano e rileggerlo.
Ho terminato la rilettura poco fa. È un libro che fa bene al cuore a parere mio. Lo avevo letto in un periodo abbastanza buio, avevo sottolineato righe su righe, e a distanza di anni rileggere questo libro e le sottolineature, oltre a farmi commuovere mi ha fatto anche sorridere.
A parere mio batte Wonder un milione di volte.
È un libro che ti ricorda che "io sono io", tu sei tu.

[Katrin V · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book deals well with the theme of feeling like an outsider at school, but it joins the growing pile of books suggesting ways of self harm to children who don't need to be given ideas. The topic of suicide isn't a good topic for middle schoolers to delve into, even if there is a 'happy ending.'

[seyma ye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not have good feelings about this book. Although I think Billy is such a strong boy -also very fragile at the same time-, the idea of a boy at his 12 has this complicated feelings and depressive thoughts made me upset. I must accept that I am impressed, but was not feeling good while reading the book.

[Sarah Lean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the vulnerable honesty of Billy and his beautiful relationship with a shoal of mackerel. The friendship between Billy and his new friend, Patrick (a boy with fingers of steel), was unforgettable in its quirky originality, as was his connection to David Attenborough (and who doesn't love Sir David!). Magical, original and I am excited to read the writer's next novel.

[Denis Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book.
Fish boy slides effortlessly between reality and a fantasy kind of situation that is utterly real for him. What engaged me the most was the acceptance of him as he is by his friend Patrick, regardless of whether the fantastic world is true or not.
The writing is great, entertaining and true to the characters.
I didn't really want it to end.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adatto ad un’età dai 9 ai 12 anni.
È la storia di un bambino solitario ed introverso, nel pieno del cambiamento, da fanciullo ad adolescente. Nel libro si affrontano le tematiche del bullismo e la malattia della madre e come questa si rifletta nella vita del bambino, ma anche il valore dell’amicizia.

[Sara Oachesu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about a boy who really enjoys swimming and he's good at it too. What I love about this volume is the feeling of empowerment and self-confidence that it oozes. In a nutshell, the plot is gripping and utterly original and you'll feel hooked on it till the very end. I recommend this book to kids aged 10-14.