The Jungle

by Pooja Puri

There was a story Jahir used to tell me. About how the first humans were born with wings. Can you imagine what that would be like? To fly anywhere in the world without worrying about having the right papers?

Mico has left his family, his home, his future. Setting out in search of a better life, he instead finds himself navigating one of the world's most inhospitable environments the Jungle. For Mico, just one of many 'unaccompanied children', the Calais refugee camp has a wildness, a brutality all of its own.

A melting pot of characters, cultures, and stories, the Jungle often seems like its own strange world. But despite his ambitions to escape, Mico is unable to buy his way out from the 'Ghost Men' the dangerous men with magic who can cross borders unnoticed. Alone, desperate, and running out of options, the idea of jumping onto a speeding train to the UK begins to feel worryingly appealing.

But when Leila arrives at the camp one day, everything starts to change. Outspoken, gutsy, and fearless, she shows Mico that hope and friendship can grow in the most unusual places, and maybe, just maybe, they'll show you the way out as well.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, France

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 2017

About the author

Pooja Puri is a graduate of King’s College London and is currently on the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. In 2014, she was chosen as a winner of the Ideas Tap Writer’s Centre Norwich Inspires competition.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teenagers Mico, Hassan and Sy all shared a tent at the notorious migrant camp dubbed ‘The Jungle’ in Calais, France. Mico, the main character, was told to leave his life behind, including his sister and mother, in search of a better one by his Uncle, after their home, and chicken farm was burnt down.

Mico didn’t expect to find himself trapped in ‘The Jungle’ with only the clothes on his back, constantly hungry, due to the little food available, and no money. He wanted to get to England, where, according to him, life would be good. There were only two ways of getting there though, jump on to the Euro star train, and face a certain death, or pay the ‘Ghost Men’ lots of money to be taken across the water.

Although he had Hassan, Sy and the oldest camp member, ‘The Doctor’, to keep him company something was missing. That was until feisty, boisterous Leila arrived in camp with her pregnant sister. Leila told Mico a story that her Brother-in-Law, Jahir used to tell her ‘The first humans were born with wings’. Asking Mico if he could imagine what that would be like? To fly anywhere in the world without worrying about having the right papers? This got Mico’s attention and made him more determined to get to England.

The two of them found themselves in lots of awkward, and sometimes dangerous, situations in their effort to find a way out of the camp, and into a better life.

‘The Jungle’ is the debut novel by Pooja Puri. It is beautifully written, and Mico and Leila were two very different characters, yet they shared a common goal, a better life. Whilst Mico wanted to find a better life, but didn’t really have the know how, or the guts, Leila was full of energy, vigour, and a strong determination to not sit back, she was going to find that better life for herself, one way or another.

The book showed the grim life of living in the camp, whilst at the same time painted a picture of how the refugee’s came together and helped one another. It did, however, make you realise that not everyone you know and care about can be trusted, and that some people would do anything in exchange for their own gain.

It also didn’t just show Mico and Leila as these two wonderful characters. They did some pretty horrible things. Whilst Ms. Puri defended their actions, if you were on the other side of the fence you could understand why the local residents were often scared of the refugees.

The book will have you escaping to a life that no-one would ever choose. It will have you rapidly turning the pages eager to find out whether Mico and Leila would ever make it out of the camp and into a better life.

Pooja Puri will be an author to look out for in the future if this book is anything to go by. I just wish the ending was different. After having read such a wonderful page turner, it really didn’t compliment the story.

Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

[Lucy Powrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'ing for now but I might come back to it in the future. It's probably just not the right time for me to read it!

It's written well, on an important theme, and I think other people will enjoy it. Just not for me!

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jungle is the story of Mico, a young refugee who leaves his country and everything and everyone he knows, to try and find a better life. The title refers to the Calais refugee camp where Mico is now doing his best to survive and find a way out.

One of the things I liked most is the exploration of how someone’s actions and thoughts can drastically change over time. As the story develops, Mico becomes more and more desperate and this results in some surprising actions. Things that he (and you) didn't think he would be capable of. It was a good way of highlighting the psychological effects of being in such a place.

I liked Laila and the friendship between she and Mico. I feel like the story became a lot more engrossing when she came along and I was rooting for the both of them throughout. I would have liked more background information on both of them though. We know a little of where they come from but I think if we knew even more of their previous life then it would create more of an emotional connection to them both.

The story ends in quite a surprising place but on reflection I think this aids the idea that the life of a refugee in The Jungle is uncertain and doesn't necessarily have a clear end in sight.

This is a story that is highly relevant given recent political events such as Brexit and I think it's an important book to have in the YA market. I feel like it could be a great tool to generate discussion and awareness of the situation. An extremely well-written and thought-provoking story highlighting such an important theme.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this book. The ending was quite strange and was a weird place to end.

I understand that this book was trying to have a good message about displaced people and refugees but in my opinion, I don't know if it did that.

The writing was really beautiful in places and some quotes were just so true that I did more tabs in my book that I rarely do.

I guess my main problems came with the plots and the characters. Although I really liked the characters in the book like Mico and Laila and the relationship that occurred, I feel like their motives were quite stupid at times and I did not really like the actions.

The massive downfall was the plot, however, I did enjoy the beginning of the novel much more and thought that is was harrowing and really poignant. From then on I did have problems, I did not like how the characters acted and what their motivations were and I saw them in a quite different light to how they were meant to be perceived. I think that someone else could see this in a different way and I think that I can too as I am going to write about it. I think that the aim was to show the struggles of The Jungle in Calais and what people would do to survive and although this is important for me it did not come across this way.

I do, however, give this book a lot of credit because to publish a book like this takes a lot of risks and it is still an important read. It shows that the life that could happen in a refugee camp and that these people do not need help and that this book does deserve a read.

[Jo Marjoribanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of this book as I bought it at the Society of Young Publishers Conference in Edinburgh a few months ago. The cover really drew my eye and the plot sounded intriguing. I can't say that it was a terribly engrossing story, but it was well written and easy to read. Rather than a complex plot with a satisfying ending, this book presented a fictional snapshot of life in the Calais refugee camp. It's about the people more than the politics and the struggles they face having run from one bad situation only to find themselves in another. By the end of the story, most of the characters were essentially in the same place as they were at the beginning, but maybe that's the point. It illustrates the endless cycle of the refugee crisis and the shattered hopes and dreams of those who find themselves in such desperate circumstances.

[Nicole Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.

I think this book is such a beautiful one. It’s a subject that isn’t often talked about in young adult books, and is definitely one that needs to be explored. The book is really wonderfully written with some really striking imagery, and that’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed it so much.

The Jungle develops quite slowly, allowing you the chance to get to know Mico and Leila. They are fascinating characters, and I really enjoyed seeing the story from their perspective, as well as watching their relationship develop throughout the book. One of things I thought was particularly striking about The Jungle is the way it highlights not just the harrowing nature of living in the refugee camp, but also the effects that it has on a person – both physically and mentally.

I have to also say how much I loved the cover, it’s really striking and a couple of people asked me about it when I had my face buried in it when travelling. I enjoyed reading every second of this book, and it has a very unexpected ending. The Jungle really makes you think about life in the refugee camp and given the current state of affairs in the world, I think it’s definitely a topic that needs to be explored in literature more. This book did a brave and stunning job of it, and I’m very much looking forward to see what Pooja writes next!

[Michelle (Fluttering Butterflies) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really not sure what to make of this one. Will try to gather my thoughts for a full review soon.

The Jungle by Pooja Puri was a really interesting read. It felt difficult to read at times but I also felt like it needed to be read. Because this is a book about the Calais refugee camp. And as we follow the main character, Mico, through his day-to-day struggles we get a heartbreaking glimpse into the lives and experiences of the refugees.

There wasn't much of a plot to The Jungle. But I'm not sure it matters so much. At the heart of the book is 16 year old Mico, who left his family and home in the search of something better, opportunities not available to him in his home country. And what he finds is The Jungle. He's one of the youngsters of the camp, with no adults to protect him but he does end up sharing a tent with two adult men and the three of them do share food and look out for each other.

You get a good sense whilst reading The Jungle of what life is like in this refugee camp. There are a lack of resources, the living conditions aren't great, there are too many people. There's almost a sense of hopelessness, a sense of resignation. But there's also a spark there, a fire. Mico is dead-set on finding away out of this camp. And he'll try just about anything to be free. At the start of the novel he's attempting to steal from the 'Ghost Men' who control more than they should of the movements of people within The Jungle. Further along in the story, he attempts a deadly jump onto a moving train. But it's the arrival of Leila and the subsequent friendship between her and Mico that really builds Mico's hope.

This book was definitely a difficult book to read. But I think my favourite aspect of the story is that through Mico's travels he comes across many different people all in the same situation. With different backgrounds and all with their own stories to tell, with their own terrors and traumas that they're faced with. And I thought it was important to be present and read such stories. Though the Calais Refugee Camp has since been shut down and the refugees have been resettled elsewhere this is still a very topical issue and concern across many countries. And more needs to be done.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

"No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark... no one puts their children in a boat unless the the water is safer than the land" I remember reading this poem by Warsan Shire on the way to school, which found in the comments section of a Humans of New York post, if I remember correctly. Living in England through the Brexit vote and the rise of Trump, refugees are defining the politics of the world - this book is one to shake those wanting to "build a wall," not aggressively, just simply by being and by being so through the point of view of exactly those refugees.

In the Calais refugee camp aptly named "the Jungle," Puri introduces us to so many refugees with heartbreaking stories, but doesn't dwell on their pasts, but their role in the camp. Nevertheless, the main character is Mico, a young boy, and later on Leila, who I first labelled as the "love interest" but she is so!! Much more important than that.

Despite a lacking plot, this book is important because of the perspective it gives. There is no build-up, problem, and resolution because life in the Jungle doesn't wait for one problem to resolve itself before the next. Mico - and the reader - sees a friend successfully jump onto a train and then subsequently fall to his death mere seconds later, and then notices the repercussions of the outside world; more security around the train station. There is no problem and resolution here.

Another part of the plot is important but is something I won't mention, in order to keep this review spoiler-free (ok, asides from the top bit but that happens really early on so does it count?), and again is an ongoing project whilst other problems arise inside (and outside!) of the camp.

I kept turning the pages of this novel to learn more about the lives of Mico and Leila, not to find out the resolution of their problem, and perhaps more books should read like that.

//Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review//

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times uncomfortable to read as it is all very real.

Young teen boys who just want to be footballers have emigrated from warring countries to get stuck at the French border they call The Jungle. Trying to find food and shelter they stick together in small groups and try not to bring attention to themselves from the men who seem to run things under the guardas noses.
Unsettling but had a lot of sense of truth at times.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you judge books by their covers, The Jungle will be a book you won't be able to resist picking up. It wasn't the only reason I wanted to read this book though. The tagline on the front cover was convincing enough along with the blurb which I loved the sound of. The Jungle is Ink Road’s first book and I found it to be a very thought provoking one which had a lasting impression on me.

Mico has left his family behind as he navigates the Jungle, a refugee camp based in Calais. The camp is full of tension and colourful characters who each have their own story to tell. Some of them are plotting their own escape to a better place, but the odds are difficult to overcome. One day Mico meets the inimitable Leila and they too dream of making an escape.

Mico and Leila were both interesting characters. Mico is the protagonist and he is a very up and down character who is capable of snapping in a flash. I found that it was difficult to know what Mico to expect with every chapter but this unpredictability kept me reading on the edge of my seat. Reading this book through Mico’s perspective really helped deploy the sense of anxiety and desperation that is felt in the Jungle. It was not a happy place to be. Leila was a headstrong character who appeared for the most part a confident girl who always has something to say. But there are moments where we see a different side to her too. That was one thing that stood out about this book for me. The characters were almost controlled by this refugee camp they lived in so nothing was black and white. For me there were no characters to love or hate because each one changed throughout, and in a way I felt each one could betray one another given the opportunity.

The Calais refugee camp was built up by the author in a very impactful way, one that allowed me to feel the strain of the Jungle along with Mico, Leila, Hassan, Syed and everyone else we meet. The Jungle was described atmospherically and I felt like I could picture the place really well. With sharp emotions and a sense of unease and tension that could be cut with a knife, there were feelings of hunger, of desperation and fleeting feelings of optimism which really drew me into this short book which the author delivered with power.

There were many different characters in this book, some we only meet briefly and others that come in to the story more as it goes on. With the huge desperation that surrounded The Jungle, it made me as the reader unsure of who to trust. There were choices and actions that the characters made which I couldn’t agree with, and there were also characters that seemed to have little good in them, but I was never quite sure about any of the characters. At first life in the Jungle felt a bit like a dog eat dog world where the most important thing on anyone's mind was how to survive. But there are friendships that surface which surprised and engaged me. Some were more heartening than others but I found it fascinating watching them develop.

I will say that as much as I was looking forward to reading The Jungle, the book itself was very different to what I had been imagining. This isn't a bad thing but it did take a bit of adjusting to once I began the book. The book is only around 200 pages long and whilst I did find the story moving, I thought there was room for more character development, for more of everything really. More desperation, more hope, more action. I found this book absolutely gripping but I felt like the refugee camp theme could have been pushed even further.

Despite this, I really would recommend people read The Jungle. I found it to be a very thought-provoking and insightful read which somehow managed to feel more timely given the state of the world today. Every chapter had me engrossed and the tension, which was huge at the beginning, kept on increasing further and further, leaving me eager to see how the ending of this book would turn out.

[Megan Conlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGallery and Black and White Publishing for letting me read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinion expressed in this review are my own. This book was amazing, well written and had me thoroughly impressed. It has stayed with me. Even after turning the last page, I still cannot stop thinking about it!

There is so much packed into such a small book, that I am truly astounded at how well Pooja Puri has written the story. I never expect too much from shorter books, as I struggle to get fully immersed, but I am happy to say that The Jungle exceeded all of my expectations.

I had to fill in a few gaps in the plot so that it made better sense ( it did make sense with the gaps, I just found it more enjoyable with them filled in.)
The story takes place in a camp, referred to as The Jungle. This camp is where foreigners are sent when they have been caught trying to cross the border into a new country and young Mico is the new addition.

Mico is a beautifully written character, who has a lot of depth and I fell in love straight away.
My love wasn't so quick to form with Leila, but I'm sure most people in the jungle felt the same, but as the book went on my love for her grew and grew.
The development of Mico and Leila's relationship was absolutely inspiring. Leila isn't a people person and when she finally opened up and accepted a friendship, it was wonderfully heartwarming.

There was a lot of fantastic descriptive sections, but I found that they overpowered the plot of the jungle in some parts.
In a few places, I found a few sloppy mistakes with the punctuation, if corrected I think this book would be a five star for me!
At times Pooja's writing style was very poetic and this made the story that much better.

This book is full of beautiful messages, in fact, it includes one of my new favourite quotes; "Why can't they see that? We're just like them. But me might as well be from another planet."

Overall this book was very impressive and beautifully written. It has changed my life in a way I didn't think possible!

[Danielle Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Mico and Leila develop a friendship against the backdrop of the Calais Jungle, a dangerous refugee camp in the north of France. They plan for freedom, struggle for survival, and hope for change.

So, I read this book in the evenings after working all day in a refugee camp in Greece. The camp I work in is not The Jungle, but I could connect a lot of the experiences and feelings of characters in this book to people I know here. This book really touches on a lot of ideas: social structure in the camp, money and stealing, the desire to work, hopes for freedom and the risks of getting there, and the relationship with the local community and law enforcement. In addition to all of that, the author beautifully approaches questions of home and memory:

“Children have short memories. By the time we leave, will he even remember his father? When he thinks of his home, will it be these tents he sees?”

My criticism of this book is subtle and definitely up to personal interpretation. Whereas the author depicts a lot of scary situations, the writing feels distant at times and not as gritty as the situations being described. This is a fine line to walk because it definitely makes the book more “accessible” to sensitive readers and thus can spread awareness about the refugee crisis. I could teach this in my classroom when I return to the US.

On the other hand, the grittiness is real life for so many people, and I wish the writing had been more visceral. There is an excellent (and terrifying and heartbreaking) scene early on in the novel where some men hope to jump off a bridge onto a train to England… the writing in that scene was fierce. I wish there had been more of that.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jungle is a book about one of the most troubling issues affecting huge swathes of the World today, the movement of thousands of souls trying to escape poverty, despots or early death in the direct path of armed conflict.

What makes this book all the more important is that this is a book written for children and young Adults about Children. Set in The Jungle, the squalid camp in Calais where the refugees from many war torn regions congregated in the hope of reaching the United Kingdom, this is the story of a young boy as he waits for something, anything at all , to change to allow him to escape to England.

This is an unflinching examination of the duality of existence in a refugee camp, within spitting distance of the civilised lives of French neighbours and yet people are cramped in crude tents, fighting boredom, discrimination and each other to stay alive but fighting too to stay themselves, striving to be individuals in a crowd. A feat in itself for adults, you might think, but even harder for children.

Pooja Puri does a tremendous job in avoiding morality judgements or political bias, she just delivers a startling vignette in the lives of two children brought together in adversity, trying to be adults, dealing with brutality and deprivation years before their time, living on hope and bravado. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

[K P · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jungle was a quick read, an interesting story that did capture my attention- I devoured this story because I was hungry to know how people’s stories ended. The characters were all individuals, all of them real and interesting even if they were not all fully developed or explained. My only real problem with The Jungle was the lack of ending. I tore through this book eager for a satisfying ending. At the end of the book I didn’t even realise it was over. The Jungle was pretty poetic, which I enjoyed, and really made you see and understand Mico’s world. I enjoyed the story, which made the lack of ending even more frustrating. I felt invested in Mico and Leila and her sister, Hassan and and Sy but in the end they were all in pretty much the same place as the beginning of the story. I can sort of understand that it was trying to be shown that The Jungle was a hopeless place and that most of the inhabitants didn’t have an end in sight, but then what was the point in the journey they went on if it was just a circle?

It was an interesting, educating book however it didn’t tie up anything at the end. No good story should have all the answers at the ending but this story had more questions at the end than it did at the beginning.

[halfirishgrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did, I was invested.

The Jungle tells the tale of a young boy named Mico in a Calais refugee camp. Pooja Puri manages to tell this tale of a devastating place and situation with a necessary light and hopefulness, without sacrificing realism. The balance of optimism and dark in this book is absolutely perfect. The characters are vibrant, engaging, and fully fleshed out. I loved both Mica and Leila. I loved the way Puri manages to capture their youthful optimism, and often their doomed desperation. I also loved many of the secondary characters - Hassan and Aysha in particular. Though they had smaller roles in the book, both characters felt palpably real.

The only negatives perhaps are a slightly abrupt end, and sometimes clunky writing. But all in all, this was a great read, and tells stories of people who don't often get a voice. It's also timely considering the refugee situation in the world today. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging read.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing read of a how you can find friendship in the strangest of places. The book is from a young persons view point. Which gives the reader a different perspective. With the core of the story being told from the Calais refugee camp. I found this interesting, I like most people saw the camps on television. But I never imagined the stories behind the 1000’s of people. The Jungle made me reflect on that fact. That each person was not just a face it had his or her own story to tell.

Ink Road is the YA section of Black & White Publishing and they did well to spot the talented writing of Pooja Puri. Puri writing flows, is it almost poetic. Her characters spring to life and we are instantly immersed into Mico’s world.

It’s a quick read, nicely paced. I always like the lessons I learn from the books I read. This book taught me to remember everyone had their own story. The cover with it’s swarms of dark navy and sky blue is stunning and memorable.

There was a story Jahir used to tell me. About how the first humans were born with wings. Can you imagine what that would be like? To fly anywhere in the world without worrying about having the right papers?

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It gave me a huge insight and reality check on the conditions of camps such as this one in calais France. It demonstrates the hunger, pain and suffering those poor people suffer on such horrendous conditions that we brits take for granted. I feel so truly sorry and helpless towards them it feels like an endless battle. Charities help people as much as possible but things run out and the help slows down its so sad. I wish we could all help each other equally and all live as one. We need to work together to help people who need it more than ourselves. I am Going to make a small donation to calais

[Rach (pagesofpiper) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book! Not an easy story to read. It's Milo's story about his time in The Calais Jungle, how he survives against corruption, poverty, hunger, fear, criminals and so much more. This book really tugs at your heartstrings as you read how this boy is trying to survive. All the characters go through a transformation as the Jungle eats at them. They are people who are running for a better life. Shocking and heartbreaking. (this is quite an emotional review that I'll probably amend once I've slept!)

[Erin H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a boy, uprooted from his native country and stuck in an immigrant camp in Calais, trying to get to England is simultaneously a tough read for the subject and a beautiful read for the imagery and stories that inform and influence our characters Mico and Leila. Puri crafts a heartbreaking tale that is not too removed from reality, and I am haunted by the anger, frustration, and hopelessness that abounds in these spaces where humans are made to feel other.

[Derby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jungle is an important fictional story about a real life refugee camp on the coast of France. It follows Mico who was forced to leave his home in search of a better life. He meets a ton of characters with tragic pasts who all ended up in the terrible refugee camp dubbed The Jungle. Mico eventually becomes best friends with a girl named Leila & they get into some shenanigans.

I really enjoyed this book. It has beautiful writing, great characters, and a simple yet effective plot. Two teenagers, one goal, and lots of shenanigans... what's not to love?
To get all of my thoughts you can find my full review here: https://youtu.be/PeRr7EYkn8g

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about the very actual topic of immigrants from their point of view. In search of a better life. However I found it quite confusing a lot of the time, and the ending felt a bit abrupt and very open. Not to say it was not meant as such. It feels like a clip from the lives of the people in the story, no beginning, and no end for some of them.

[M Habib · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple but beautifully read. Not much happening in the plot; characters are underdeveloped, but the occasional poetic line urges you to give the book a chance.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but the ending was extremely dissatisfying.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humanising tale of refugees stuck in the Calais border camp, and the desperation that can lead to petty crimes. Sickening levels of violence/near violence, and interesting jumping off point for thinking about how we should be treating refugees.

[Rosie Gibbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and well written book.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Promising story but unsatisfactory conclusion

[Gill · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy read on an important theme, but ultimately unsatisfying.

[Cornishbookaddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst it’s not a fast paced book, it’s a real insight to the lives of these people. It makes you see their situation in a whole different light, and very sad really. Absolutely worth reading!

[Rebecca M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright for kids I suppose, the writing wasn’t very engaging and I think the protagonists emotions could have been better portrayed. You will pick up on this as an older audience.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t connect with the characters, some parts were engaging but it wasn’t the page turner I was hoping it would be.

[Naima · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I was immediately drawn to this book when I first saw its striking cover on Netgalley and after reading the synopsis, I was convinced to read it because I wanted to see how the author manages to weave magic into a story of refugees – a combination I never thought I’d see in literature. Overall, I ended up enjoying the book however, I did have some issues with it which I will get to in this review.

“I hate it here. I hate that they call it the Jungle.” She pointed to the houses. “We lived like that once. We went to school, went shopping, watched films. We didn’t ask to leave our lives. Why can’t they see? We’re just like them. But we might as well be on another planet.”

The story primarily follows a young boy Mico – who left his family behind in Kenya in search for a better life upon the request of his Uncle after their family farm burnt down – living in a refugee camp in France along with many others from all parts of the world. Through Mico’s eyes, we get a realistic insight into the difficult life at the camp whilst following his journey from being almost hopeless, to gaining the courage to dream again.

The pacing of the book was slow to begin with. However, once Mico befriends Leila, a new arrival at camp, I found myself turning the pages much faster. The interactions between these two characters were my favourite parts of the book. Leila, a fiery, spirited girl who carries around a sketchbook in her rucksack everywhere, dreams of seeing her paintings in an art galley one day. Her boisterous and wild personality was a perfect fit for a shy boy like Mico in helping him discover his inner strength by pushing him to do things he had not considered himself capable of. Their friendship was sweet, impulsive and pure, and I loved that.

Within the first few chapters we find out that people at the camp desire to escape to England with its promise of a better life. This desperate yearning drives Mico and Leila as well as other side characters, to make impetuous decisions that were often unexpected but understandable. It was interesting to see just how far these characters will go to break free of the camp referred to in the book as The jungle.

However, the thing I was most disappointed with in this book was the presence of the “Ghost-Men” that felt immediately out of place. One resembling a crow, and the other a lizard, they were “the men with magic", yet we were given no explanation of where this magic came from, how these two obtained and used it, and most importantly, why they were the only characters in the book to have an animal-like build. Because of this, they felt like characters that were mistakenly thrown into a story they didn’t belong in. I understand that the author might have chosen a non-human appearance to make us fear them however, the same goal could have been achieved with great character development and without the inclusion of fantasy elements that were poorly executed.

The overall pacing of the book was an issue too; it was a slow read. There wasn’t a lot that happened action-wise until the very end which made it very easy for me to put the book down. Her writing – although simple and easy to read – lacked emotion I felt was necessary in telling the story of these characters in incredibly unfortunate circumstances.

Some parts however, did speak to me.

As they continued through the pages, the pictures became greyer, thinner until there was no colour left in them at all. “Ran out of paint,” said Leila sadly.

 and

There was a story Jahir used to tell me. About how the first humans were born with wings. Can you imagine what that would be like? To fly anywhere in the world without worrying about having the right papers?

I wish there were more passages like these.

Overall, I think the author succeeded in capturing the honest and harsh details of the life of a refugee by choosing to tell the story through the lens of a child, and I applaud her for writing about a topic that is so relevant and important right now. I’m glad to have read it and would encourage others to read it too simply for the fact that it gives a voice to those that are very rarely given one.

Thank you to Black and White Publishing for providing me with an advanced reading copy of the book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

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