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928 Miles From Home
Fourteen year old Calum Brooks has big dreams. One day, he'll escape this boring life and write movies, proper ones, with massive budgets and A-list stars. For now though, he's stuck coping alone while his dad works away, writing scripts in his head and trying to stay 'in' with his gang of mates at school, who don't like new kids, especially foreign ones.
But when his father invites his new Polish girlfriend and her son, Sergei, to move in, Calum's life is turned upside down. He's actually sharing a room with 'the enemy'! How's he going to explain that to his mates? Yet when Calum is knocked down in a hit and run and breaks both legs, everything changes.
Trapped at home, Calum and Sergei slowly start to understand each other, and even work together to investigate a series of break-ins at the local community centre. But Calum can't help feeling like Sergei's hiding something. Is he really trying to help, or cover up his own involvement in the crime?
But when his father invites his new Polish girlfriend and her son, Sergei, to move in, Calum's life is turned upside down. He's actually sharing a room with 'the enemy'! How's he going to explain that to his mates? Yet when Calum is knocked down in a hit and run and breaks both legs, everything changes.
Trapped at home, Calum and Sergei slowly start to understand each other, and even work together to investigate a series of break-ins at the local community centre. But Calum can't help feeling like Sergei's hiding something. Is he really trying to help, or cover up his own involvement in the crime?
336 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 18, 2017
16 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Kim Slater
10 books40 followersLibrarian Note: Kim Slater is a pen name of K.L. Slater, at which site biographical information may be found.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 7, 2018
T/W- Bullying, Domestic Violence
This was a great novel from a teen male POV, that really gripped me throughout. This UKYA novel is set in the city of Nottingham where our main character Calum, a troubled student in a local secondary school, has aspirations to write screenplays and work in the film industry. However, the area he lives in is deprived and most of time, he is left alone in the small flat while his Dad is away working. Calum is friends with some other students who start to bully a new student from Poland called Sergei. During this time, he discovers that Sergei's Mum has started seeing his Dad and has invited both Sergei and his Mum to move in for a while. Both boys have to share a room which only adds to the tension.
When Calum gets injured in a hit and run near his home, he decides to get Sergei to help with the growing issues of vandalism towards a local community centre and track down those responsible. But there's a growing fear in Calum's mind, that Sergei himself may be behind the vandalism. This was a realistic read that tackled so many of the issues that we see/read about on the news such as bullying, immigration, family troubles, abuse, poverty. Although Calum at times did behave moody towards Sergei, the development throughout the novel grew. It was visual, hard-hitting but a really good contemporary read with no romance as the main plot! I've read quite a few romantic stories recently, so 928 Miles From Home was a nice change from that. My only peeve was that the pacing at times was quite slow but the plotline had many twists and turns to it which I enjoyed.
I'm honestly really shocked that this novel hasn't been promoted much on Goodreads, hopefully, this changes.
This was a great novel from a teen male POV, that really gripped me throughout. This UKYA novel is set in the city of Nottingham where our main character Calum, a troubled student in a local secondary school, has aspirations to write screenplays and work in the film industry. However, the area he lives in is deprived and most of time, he is left alone in the small flat while his Dad is away working. Calum is friends with some other students who start to bully a new student from Poland called Sergei. During this time, he discovers that Sergei's Mum has started seeing his Dad and has invited both Sergei and his Mum to move in for a while. Both boys have to share a room which only adds to the tension.
When Calum gets injured in a hit and run near his home, he decides to get Sergei to help with the growing issues of vandalism towards a local community centre and track down those responsible. But there's a growing fear in Calum's mind, that Sergei himself may be behind the vandalism. This was a realistic read that tackled so many of the issues that we see/read about on the news such as bullying, immigration, family troubles, abuse, poverty. Although Calum at times did behave moody towards Sergei, the development throughout the novel grew. It was visual, hard-hitting but a really good contemporary read with no romance as the main plot! I've read quite a few romantic stories recently, so 928 Miles From Home was a nice change from that. My only peeve was that the pacing at times was quite slow but the plotline had many twists and turns to it which I enjoyed.
I'm honestly really shocked that this novel hasn't been promoted much on Goodreads, hopefully, this changes.
June 5, 2020
Книги для підлітків - це завжди про пошук балансу між пригодами і мораллю. Авторці чи автору необхідно створити таку історію, що буде захопливо читатися, але в той же час зможе щось пояснити про цей світ. Я вже трохи виросла з підліткових штанців, але любов до таких книг все одно лишилася.
У черговий раз дякую Всесвіту за е-буки, котрі почало продавати ВСЛ. Книгу "928 миль від дому" англійської письменниці Кім Слейтер я купила саме в електронному форматі, на розпродажі 1+1=3 - і дуже тішуся цьому, Відразу скажу, що мені дуже сподобалося, більш того, я позаздрила англійцям, бо в українській підлітковій літературі такі прості та водночас приємні твори мені не зустрічалися.
Головний герой "928 миль..." - 14-річний Калум, що живе в депресивному районі, де люди народжуються, живуть і помирають, не виходячи за межі цього району. Мама пішла з родини, коли він був ще малим, а тато майже постійно у від'їздах, заробляючи гроші. У Калума є божевільна і абсолютно нездійсненна, як він сам вважає, мрія: писати кіносценарії. Звичайно, такого не трапиться, бо хіба може хлопчисько з робочого району займатися сценаріями? Це прерогатива тих, хто ходить у театральні коледжі, спілкується з режисерами, був у Голівуді... Ні, це точно не про нього.
У школі Калум разом з товаришами - такими ж вихідцями з не надто благополучних родин - знаходить жертву. Слабшого. Того, кого можна цькувати. Ним виявляється однокласник з Польщі - Сергій Журавковскі. Дорослі ж недарма говорять, що у всіх бідах промислового району винні саме вихідці зі Східної Європи. Дикуни, що живуть у лісах і їдять білок. Вони приїжджають, аби жирувати на податках громадян, вони крадуть роботу, у них смішний акцент, а інколи вони - лелечки! - говорять своїми мовами.
Одного дня, повернувшись зі школи, Калум опиняється перед фактом, що батько запросив до них пожити свою подружку разом з сином. Не важко здогадатися, хто саме виявиться цим сином. Так само очевидно, що Калума, який вже звик до своєї вимушеної самостійності і самотності, зовсім не тішить нове сусідство. Ба більше, завтра у школі йому доведеться пояснювати друзям, як так вийшло, що містер Іммі Грант живе у нього.
Це книжка - зовсім не товста - зачіпає дуже багато тем. Ми проживаємо разом з Калумом його сумніви, його страх, його мрії, його вчинки, його образу, його самотність. Якісь друзі виявляються надійними, а якісь просто йдуть з твого життя. Знаходяться люди, готові потурбуватися про тебе, а знаходяться ті, що зраджують.
Мені дуже хочеться розповісти про цю книгу багато, згадати кожен епізод, кожного героя: про психологиню Фрею, що не здається і шукає підходи, про родину з човна, що вимушена кожні два тижні плисти в інше місто, про батька Калума, який старається впорядкувати життя, але виходить не все і не завжди, про матір Сергія, котра вимушена тікати. Це справді хороша насичена історія з правильними посилами.
Фінал здався мені надто щасливим, але я списую це на ті самі "підліткові штанці", що вже замалі, тому пробачаю цю надлишкову оптимістичність. Врешті-решт, хороший кінець зовсім не заважає уявити, що далі життя все ще лишилося складним.
У черговий раз дякую Всесвіту за е-буки, котрі почало продавати ВСЛ. Книгу "928 миль від дому" англійської письменниці Кім Слейтер я купила саме в електронному форматі, на розпродажі 1+1=3 - і дуже тішуся цьому, Відразу скажу, що мені дуже сподобалося, більш того, я позаздрила англійцям, бо в українській підлітковій літературі такі прості та водночас приємні твори мені не зустрічалися.
Головний герой "928 миль..." - 14-річний Калум, що живе в депресивному районі, де люди народжуються, живуть і помирають, не виходячи за межі цього району. Мама пішла з родини, коли він був ще малим, а тато майже постійно у від'їздах, заробляючи гроші. У Калума є божевільна і абсолютно нездійсненна, як він сам вважає, мрія: писати кіносценарії. Звичайно, такого не трапиться, бо хіба може хлопчисько з робочого району займатися сценаріями? Це прерогатива тих, хто ходить у театральні коледжі, спілкується з режисерами, був у Голівуді... Ні, це точно не про нього.
У школі Калум разом з товаришами - такими ж вихідцями з не надто благополучних родин - знаходить жертву. Слабшого. Того, кого можна цькувати. Ним виявляється однокласник з Польщі - Сергій Журавковскі. Дорослі ж недарма говорять, що у всіх бідах промислового району винні саме вихідці зі Східної Європи. Дикуни, що живуть у лісах і їдять білок. Вони приїжджають, аби жирувати на податках громадян, вони крадуть роботу, у них смішний акцент, а інколи вони - лелечки! - говорять своїми мовами.
Одного дня, повернувшись зі школи, Калум опиняється перед фактом, що батько запросив до них пожити свою подружку разом з сином. Не важко здогадатися, хто саме виявиться цим сином. Так само очевидно, що Калума, який вже звик до своєї вимушеної самостійності і самотності, зовсім не тішить нове сусідство. Ба більше, завтра у школі йому доведеться пояснювати друзям, як так вийшло, що містер Іммі Грант живе у нього.
Це книжка - зовсім не товста - зачіпає дуже багато тем. Ми проживаємо разом з Калумом його сумніви, його страх, його мрії, його вчинки, його образу, його самотність. Якісь друзі виявляються надійними, а якісь просто йдуть з твого життя. Знаходяться люди, готові потурбуватися про тебе, а знаходяться ті, що зраджують.
Мені дуже хочеться розповісти про цю книгу багато, згадати кожен епізод, кожного героя: про психологиню Фрею, що не здається і шукає підходи, про родину з човна, що вимушена кожні два тижні плисти в інше місто, про батька Калума, який старається впорядкувати життя, але виходить не все і не завжди, про матір Сергія, котра вимушена тікати. Це справді хороша насичена історія з правильними посилами.
Фінал здався мені надто щасливим, але я списую це на ті самі "підліткові штанці", що вже замалі, тому пробачаю цю надлишкову оптимістичність. Врешті-решт, хороший кінець зовсім не заважає уявити, що далі життя все ще лишилося складним.
July 10, 2020
Краса в простоті. Зрозумілі, важливі меседжі для підлітків, проста мова, тепла, зворушлива історія про дружбу. Щоправда, більше співчуття в мене завжди викликав саме головний герой, а не жертва цькувань. Хотілося б, щоб в нас теж писали таке.
August 23, 2018
This was an enlightening read! I like the fact that it took place in Nottingham, because I never read books of European setting, and it was cool to see their vocabulary (words like Blimey!) and see how life varies between the countries. I liked how it covered really essential themes, like bullying and xenophobia. This guy's dad has a girlfriend who comes to live with them, and the girlfriend has a son so it's like a blended family sort of situation. The son is kind of awkward and different because he's from Warsaw, Poland, so he doesn't get along with the Nottingham boys. The Nottingham boys bully him, make fun of him, make him feel like an outsider. The boy kind of agrees with his friends and thinks that different =bad. Through talking to other people in the community, he quickly realizes how immigrants improve the country, and how it's much more fun to have diversity than have tons of the same thing. He goes through a self-realization journey, where he realizes that being different isn't bad, and that he should welcome change with open hands. I think it's important for everyone to read this book, especially with Xenophobia on the rise. It's a super childish book, but you enjoy the storyline, and through it, you learn so many important topics. You learn about how being a bystander isn't even better than bullying. The main guy also wants to be a screenwriter so there's little pieces of things he wrote which makes the book more interesting.
July 23, 2019
I would definitely say both the style of writing, and the weight of the messaging in 928 Miles From Home is aimed at the younger side of YA books. Having said that, there are plenty of adults that could use a lesson or two in the kind of issues Calum conquers throughout the pages.
Calum is 14, growing up below the poverty line, in a single parent household. He dreams of writing screenplays, but doesn't believe someone like him can achieve such a dream. I loved the journey of self discovery that Calum went on, although he did irritate me at times, in particular during the bullying sequences. The teachers, and adults around him that help him find himself, and people like him, who have gone on to bigger and better things, were definitely one of the highlights for me.
This book does have a sense that it was written as a direct response to the Brexit vote, and isn't particularly subtle in its agenda to educate, hence my belief that its best suited to a younger audience. There are plenty of other themes, but immigration is definitely the one that shouts out the loudest. The slight mystery elements were great, and the whodunnit reveal was worth the wait.
Typically this was easy to read, flowed well and definitely made me want to read more by Kim Slater. I'd recommend to anyone that needs to reeducate themselves that immigration isn't a dirty word.
Calum is 14, growing up below the poverty line, in a single parent household. He dreams of writing screenplays, but doesn't believe someone like him can achieve such a dream. I loved the journey of self discovery that Calum went on, although he did irritate me at times, in particular during the bullying sequences. The teachers, and adults around him that help him find himself, and people like him, who have gone on to bigger and better things, were definitely one of the highlights for me.
This book does have a sense that it was written as a direct response to the Brexit vote, and isn't particularly subtle in its agenda to educate, hence my belief that its best suited to a younger audience. There are plenty of other themes, but immigration is definitely the one that shouts out the loudest. The slight mystery elements were great, and the whodunnit reveal was worth the wait.
Typically this was easy to read, flowed well and definitely made me want to read more by Kim Slater. I'd recommend to anyone that needs to reeducate themselves that immigration isn't a dirty word.
January 24, 2018
What a fantastic novel! I loved the ending, and liked how it brought very current issues into the story. It was written beautifully and the plot twists were very surprising! Overall I highly recommend this book and think Kim Slater is a great author
June 25, 2017
I very much enjoyed this book! I think it's fairly clear that Kim Slater voted against Brexit - in fact, this is the first time that I've read the word 'Brexit' in a MG novel. Her message - immigrants are needed, and are people like you, and can even end up being your best friend. It's just not quite as subtly done as I think Kim Slater is capable of, and there's the odd sentence that sounds jarringly like something dropped in from an adult political argument rather than part of a story.
However, the characters are believable, as it their situation, and I like the mix of screen-play layout and usual novel style. There's enough tension and mystery to make you keep on reading, and I did read it cover to cover in just over a day - got to be a recommendation. I wish I knew more about Calum's screenplay.
Will look forward to her next book.
However, the characters are believable, as it their situation, and I like the mix of screen-play layout and usual novel style. There's enough tension and mystery to make you keep on reading, and I did read it cover to cover in just over a day - got to be a recommendation. I wish I knew more about Calum's screenplay.
Will look forward to her next book.
October 25, 2018
Fourteen year old Calum is stuck in his miserable boring life in Nottingham with his dad working away from home a lot and leaving him to cope. Then his dad announces his new girlfriend and her son are moving in and Calum is shocked to discover it's Sergei, the new Polish boy at school who his friends hate and bully. A hit and run accident leaves Calum stuck at home for the summer with a broken leg and Sergei - and slowly Calum's attitude changes.
Another great read from Kim Slater. She manages to get so many aspects into a story without it being preachy or reading as though it's been written purely to identify topical issues. Friendship, bullying, immigrants, vandalism, domestic violence, travellers - all this and more wrapped up in a very readable mystery/crime tale.
Another great read from Kim Slater. She manages to get so many aspects into a story without it being preachy or reading as though it's been written purely to identify topical issues. Friendship, bullying, immigrants, vandalism, domestic violence, travellers - all this and more wrapped up in a very readable mystery/crime tale.
July 16, 2019
It was really nice to read an UK YA novel with its british words and more natural teenaged characters. At first I wasn't sure about the book because the main character was basically one of the bullies but the story grew on me and the kid grew as a person as well...🙂
Not my regular cup of tea but I enjoyed it and would recommend it way more than some of the US counterparts! 😉
Not my regular cup of tea but I enjoyed it and would recommend it way more than some of the US counterparts! 😉
January 19, 2019
I liked it very much! Fast and enjoyable. Characters were interesting and there were even some surprises.
April 9, 2024
Хоч я і бачила в анотації, що ця книжка для підлітків, але все ж обкладинка мене дуже вабила, і я її таки купила. І так, книжка виявилася таки для підлітків :) Читала в ел. вигляді, купила на сайті ВСЛ.
Хлопчик Калум живе лише з татом. Його друзі - та сама погана компанія в школі, яка до всіх чіпляється і булить слабаків. Тато щось там продає і не буває вдома по кілька днів. В школу приходить новий хлопчик Сергій, який одразу стає об'єктом знущань. І як же дивується Калум, коли бачить через кілька днів Сергія в себе вдома. І не як гостя, а як нового члена сім'ї. Калум ображений і обурений, він звик бути сам, звик снідати пластівцями і не їсти по кілька днів, звик чіплятися до всіх з друзями. Хоча в душі він інший - він хоче бути режисером і писати сценарії, сумує за мамою.
Хоча книжка і здалася мені досить простою, все ж підліткам має бути цікаво і дитактично. Авторка гарно показала і виписала багато підліткових проблем. Показала, як відрізняється життя нормальної сім'ї (всі в зборі, приготована їжа, холодильник повний, підтримка, повага) і неблагополучної (вітчим п'є, зриває зло на пасинку, який потім відтворює побачене на жертвах у школі і через свою поведінку його виганяють зі школи, а далі - вулиця, бандитизм, наркотики). Хоч і не дуже жорстко, але показано шкільне цькування - як страждають ті, кого за щось оголосили не таким. У книжці не таким показаний емігрант з Польщі Сергій і його мама, якого звинувачують в крадіжці робочих місць, займанні місця, яке б мали зайняти громадяни держави і інших клішованих тезах, але виявляється, що вони втікачі від домашнього насильства. А також показано, як Калум з наїжаченого недовірливого підлітка під хорошим впливом і з хорошими людьми розкривається і стає більш уважним, добрим, впевненим у собі, кидає погану компанію і з надією дивиться в майбутнє.
Підліткам - читати.
Хлопчик Калум живе лише з татом. Його друзі - та сама погана компанія в школі, яка до всіх чіпляється і булить слабаків. Тато щось там продає і не буває вдома по кілька днів. В школу приходить новий хлопчик Сергій, який одразу стає об'єктом знущань. І як же дивується Калум, коли бачить через кілька днів Сергія в себе вдома. І не як гостя, а як нового члена сім'ї. Калум ображений і обурений, він звик бути сам, звик снідати пластівцями і не їсти по кілька днів, звик чіплятися до всіх з друзями. Хоча в душі він інший - він хоче бути режисером і писати сценарії, сумує за мамою.
Хоча книжка і здалася мені досить простою, все ж підліткам має бути цікаво і дитактично. Авторка гарно показала і виписала багато підліткових проблем. Показала, як відрізняється життя нормальної сім'ї (всі в зборі, приготована їжа, холодильник повний, підтримка, повага) і неблагополучної (вітчим п'є, зриває зло на пасинку, який потім відтворює побачене на жертвах у школі і через свою поведінку його виганяють зі школи, а далі - вулиця, бандитизм, наркотики). Хоч і не дуже жорстко, але показано шкільне цькування - як страждають ті, кого за щось оголосили не таким. У книжці не таким показаний емігрант з Польщі Сергій і його мама, якого звинувачують в крадіжці робочих місць, займанні місця, яке б мали зайняти громадяни держави і інших клішованих тезах, але виявляється, що вони втікачі від домашнього насильства. А також показано, як Калум з наїжаченого недовірливого підлітка під хорошим впливом і з хорошими людьми розкривається і стає більш уважним, добрим, впевненим у собі, кидає погану компанію і з надією дивиться в майбутнє.
Підліткам - читати.
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June 17, 2023Не знаю, чи то я вже перечитала підліткових книжок, чи то нарешті переросла їх, але "928 миль від дому" мене розчарувала (хоча інша книжка авторки - "Розумник" - свого часу мені сподобалася).
З такою назвою я очікувала, що це буде історія про мандрівку, але нє. Це історія про 14-річного Калума, який мешкає у бідному робітничому районі Ноттінгема разом зі своїм татусем. Цей татусь залишає сина-підлітка на цілісінькі тижні самого, часто не залишаючи вдосталь грошей на основні потреби, береться за роботу, яка, м'яко кажучи, перебуває в сірій зоні щодо законності, і взагалі ще той придурок. Скажімо, одного прекрасного вечора він запрошує в гості свою подружку, щоб познайомити її з сином, забувши сказати йому, що, по-перше, з нею прийде її син, і, по-друге, що вона і її син відтепер мешкатимуть разом з ними в їхній крихітній квартирі. Уявіть собі ситуацію для Калема: "Синку, привітайся з цими двома чужими людьми; вони тепер житимуть з нами, один з них в твоїй кімнаті. Сюрприз!!!" Нечасто мені хочеться надавати по пиці книжковим героям, але їй-бо татусь Калума заслужив. Менше з тим, їдемо далі.
Виявляється, що нові співмешканці Калума нещодавно перебралися до Британії з Польщі і це відкриває широкі ворота для головної теми цієї книжки - ксенофобії. В робітничих районах на взір того, де живе Калум, завжди нарікають на іммігрантів тими самими фразами: "Понаїхали тут! Забирають нашу роботу! Сидять на соцвиплатах! А ми мусимо за них платити!" (І смішно, і гірко, що я чула те саме від поляків на адресу українців, які працюють в Польщі).
Поруч з сюжеткою вимушеного проживання з поляком Сергієм, якого Калум незлюбив, проходить лінія його несподіваної дружби з темношкірою Амелією, яка разом з мамою і братиком живе на човні по два тижні то там, то сям, бо довше закони не дозволяють затримуватися. Ясно, що це дзеркальні історії, які мають допомогти нашому герою зрозуміти свою неправоту, і саме тут і полягає для мене основна проблема книжки — те, як в писок авторка подає оце моралізаторство. Я глибоко підтримую право людей жити і працювати там, де їм хочеться, і, звичайно, вважаю, що Калум більшу частину книжки поводився, як придурок, але як читачка я почувалася так, наче мене годують з ложечки банальними речами, подаючи це, як одкровення. Я люблю, коли автори ставляться з повагою до свого читача, а не розжовують усе, як малюкові. Ще й цей приторно-солоденький кінець, де всі проблеми розв'язуються, як за помахом чарівної палички, ех!.. Словом, не сподобалося.
З такою назвою я очікувала, що це буде історія про мандрівку, але нє. Це історія про 14-річного Калума, який мешкає у бідному робітничому районі Ноттінгема разом зі своїм татусем. Цей татусь залишає сина-підлітка на цілісінькі тижні самого, часто не залишаючи вдосталь грошей на основні потреби, береться за роботу, яка, м'яко кажучи, перебуває в сірій зоні щодо законності, і взагалі ще той придурок. Скажімо, одного прекрасного вечора він запрошує в гості свою подружку, щоб познайомити її з сином, забувши сказати йому, що, по-перше, з нею прийде її син, і, по-друге, що вона і її син відтепер мешкатимуть разом з ними в їхній крихітній квартирі. Уявіть собі ситуацію для Калема: "Синку, привітайся з цими двома чужими людьми; вони тепер житимуть з нами, один з них в твоїй кімнаті. Сюрприз!!!" Нечасто мені хочеться надавати по пиці книжковим героям, але їй-бо татусь Калума заслужив. Менше з тим, їдемо далі.
Виявляється, що нові співмешканці Калума нещодавно перебралися до Британії з Польщі і це відкриває широкі ворота для головної теми цієї книжки - ксенофобії. В робітничих районах на взір того, де живе Калум, завжди нарікають на іммігрантів тими самими фразами: "Понаїхали тут! Забирають нашу роботу! Сидять на соцвиплатах! А ми мусимо за них платити!" (І смішно, і гірко, що я чула те саме від поляків на адресу українців, які працюють в Польщі).
Поруч з сюжеткою вимушеного проживання з поляком Сергієм, якого Калум незлюбив, проходить лінія його несподіваної дружби з темношкірою Амелією, яка разом з мамою і братиком живе на човні по два тижні то там, то сям, бо довше закони не дозволяють затримуватися. Ясно, що це дзеркальні історії, які мають допомогти нашому герою зрозуміти свою неправоту, і саме тут і полягає для мене основна проблема книжки — те, як в писок авторка подає оце моралізаторство. Я глибоко підтримую право людей жити і працювати там, де їм хочеться, і, звичайно, вважаю, що Калум більшу частину книжки поводився, як придурок, але як читачка я почувалася так, наче мене годують з ложечки банальними речами, подаючи це, як одкровення. Я люблю, коли автори ставляться з повагою до свого читача, а не розжовують усе, як малюкові. Ще й цей приторно-солоденький кінець, де всі проблеми розв'язуються, як за помахом чарівної палички, ех!.. Словом, не сподобалося.
November 25, 2019
This book turned out to be pitched much younger than most of the books I read, but I still enjoyed it to a degree.
Set in Nottingham, Calum lives on one of those grim English housing estates that are a staple in films by people like Ken Loach and Mike Leigh. His dad is away a lot, doing something that sounds barely legal, leaving Calum home alone for much of the week. It's no wonder Calum has big dreams, ones that take him away from this drab, boring existence. So when a local arts center offers a screenwriting contest, Calum is instantly intrigued.
But screenwriting isn't something Calum can talk about with his mates at school. And keeping tight with these guys is becoming harder and harder as they bully anyone they see as different and spout loud opinions about outsiders and immigrants.
When Calum's dad moves his new Polish girlfriend and her son into the flat, everything changes for Calum. Suddenly he's living with an immigrant, and outsider, and how is he going to explain that to his friends. Especially since Sergei has been the focus of their bullying since he arrived at school.
But after Calum is the victim of a hit-and-run at the start of the summer holidays, he and Sergei find themselves thrown together and Calum, who was badly injured in the accident, is forced to rely on him. As they begin to understand one another, a tentative friendship begins to grow.
Yet even as they begin to open up to one another, Calum can't help feeling like Sergei is keeping something from him. And when he discovers Sergei's secret, it's something he would never have expected.
I liked how authentic this book felt in terms of the world Calum resides in and the struggle he has just to keep living. Poverty and neglect aren't sexy and they are presented here in a really raw and realistic way. Calum's loneliness and the way he keeps himself hidden so no one will discover how much time he spends alone is very true to kids who find themselves in this situation. His resourcefulness when it comes to scrounging up food for himself once what his father left for him is gone also feels very real.
Throughout the book we get little snippets of screenplays he's writing, usually in head rather than on paper. These are naive, but again feel real to Calum's experience (or lack of it) and the difficult lessons he's learning about life as he navigates his way through it.
Set in Nottingham, Calum lives on one of those grim English housing estates that are a staple in films by people like Ken Loach and Mike Leigh. His dad is away a lot, doing something that sounds barely legal, leaving Calum home alone for much of the week. It's no wonder Calum has big dreams, ones that take him away from this drab, boring existence. So when a local arts center offers a screenwriting contest, Calum is instantly intrigued.
But screenwriting isn't something Calum can talk about with his mates at school. And keeping tight with these guys is becoming harder and harder as they bully anyone they see as different and spout loud opinions about outsiders and immigrants.
When Calum's dad moves his new Polish girlfriend and her son into the flat, everything changes for Calum. Suddenly he's living with an immigrant, and outsider, and how is he going to explain that to his friends. Especially since Sergei has been the focus of their bullying since he arrived at school.
But after Calum is the victim of a hit-and-run at the start of the summer holidays, he and Sergei find themselves thrown together and Calum, who was badly injured in the accident, is forced to rely on him. As they begin to understand one another, a tentative friendship begins to grow.
Yet even as they begin to open up to one another, Calum can't help feeling like Sergei is keeping something from him. And when he discovers Sergei's secret, it's something he would never have expected.
I liked how authentic this book felt in terms of the world Calum resides in and the struggle he has just to keep living. Poverty and neglect aren't sexy and they are presented here in a really raw and realistic way. Calum's loneliness and the way he keeps himself hidden so no one will discover how much time he spends alone is very true to kids who find themselves in this situation. His resourcefulness when it comes to scrounging up food for himself once what his father left for him is gone also feels very real.
Throughout the book we get little snippets of screenplays he's writing, usually in head rather than on paper. These are naive, but again feel real to Calum's experience (or lack of it) and the difficult lessons he's learning about life as he navigates his way through it.
June 29, 2021
5/5 stars
I love this book, I love the characters, I love conflict and the drama, and I love the conclusion of the story. In short, I love everything about this book.
The story revolves around a young boy named calum with his insecurity about being a screenwriter and his struggles at school and even at home because of 'family' issues.
I like how Calum changes for the better. I like how Sergei doesn't hate Calum for his 'participation' in bullying. I love how Amelia is a cheerful and trusting girl. I just hope they will be friends forever!
The story is quite fast paced but smooth without missing any good details. I enjoy reading this book so much (literally can't put it down) but at the same time don't want it to end.
There are some mentions about brexit and it's fairly clear that the author vote against it. And there are the view of natives towards foreign immigrants of how they steal their homes and jobs, and I love how the author said that this is not true and immigrants are peoples too and deserve to live peacefully where they live and maybe can even become your best friend or family.
The other message is about how your dreams is valid no matter where you were born or live, no matter the background of your family is like; dreams are dreams and they are your right to have them or even pursuing them. Never stop believing in your dreams and keep working on it and anything is achievable.
Last, I like how linford is written. He is a realistically written boy with some issues in his home and facing that everyday made him to turn out as a jerk. But in the end, he is a kid that is just scared and insecure about who he is. His redemption is so satisfying, it shows that he is not some evil boy but someone who has done wrong and decided to admit his wrongdoings and further to make amends.
It is the first book of Kim Slater that I read and I loved it, I will definitely check out her other books because I think the way she wrote is flawless and smooth. Even the plot twist is so unpredictable but still a good one that makes the whole story amazing.
I love this book, I love the characters, I love conflict and the drama, and I love the conclusion of the story. In short, I love everything about this book.
The story revolves around a young boy named calum with his insecurity about being a screenwriter and his struggles at school and even at home because of 'family' issues.
I like how Calum changes for the better. I like how Sergei doesn't hate Calum for his 'participation' in bullying. I love how Amelia is a cheerful and trusting girl. I just hope they will be friends forever!
The story is quite fast paced but smooth without missing any good details. I enjoy reading this book so much (literally can't put it down) but at the same time don't want it to end.
There are some mentions about brexit and it's fairly clear that the author vote against it. And there are the view of natives towards foreign immigrants of how they steal their homes and jobs, and I love how the author said that this is not true and immigrants are peoples too and deserve to live peacefully where they live and maybe can even become your best friend or family.
The other message is about how your dreams is valid no matter where you were born or live, no matter the background of your family is like; dreams are dreams and they are your right to have them or even pursuing them. Never stop believing in your dreams and keep working on it and anything is achievable.
Last, I like how linford is written. He is a realistically written boy with some issues in his home and facing that everyday made him to turn out as a jerk. But in the end, he is a kid that is just scared and insecure about who he is. His redemption is so satisfying, it shows that he is not some evil boy but someone who has done wrong and decided to admit his wrongdoings and further to make amends.
It is the first book of Kim Slater that I read and I loved it, I will definitely check out her other books because I think the way she wrote is flawless and smooth. Even the plot twist is so unpredictable but still a good one that makes the whole story amazing.
June 21, 2018
Cal lives with his dad whom works away constantly on jobs he's evasive about. One day walking late by the river he meets Amelia whom lives on a barge with her mum and brother. This later teaches him about friendship and family formations as his family begins to drastically change...
When Sergei slips into their school year, Lindon Cal's friend starts to pick on him racially saying things and generally being nasty to him for being in the UK making assumptions about being a benefit scrounger even though he isn't and he's legally allowed to be here.
When Cal finds out his dad is dating and moving in Sergei and his mum, his friends start to cause trouble for him as he's forced into the situation and when the community centre offers an escape into film writing despite getting broken into repeatedly, Cal takes a chance until a twist on events makes him realise Sergei might not be so bad...
All about tolerance and acceptance of others around us from anywhere in the world at all. It was dramatic and eventful and I liked the family dynamic shifting and introducing a usually solitary character to fit into a family and how he can adjust so drastically and judge his past actions and friend associations.
When Sergei slips into their school year, Lindon Cal's friend starts to pick on him racially saying things and generally being nasty to him for being in the UK making assumptions about being a benefit scrounger even though he isn't and he's legally allowed to be here.
When Cal finds out his dad is dating and moving in Sergei and his mum, his friends start to cause trouble for him as he's forced into the situation and when the community centre offers an escape into film writing despite getting broken into repeatedly, Cal takes a chance until a twist on events makes him realise Sergei might not be so bad...
All about tolerance and acceptance of others around us from anywhere in the world at all. It was dramatic and eventful and I liked the family dynamic shifting and introducing a usually solitary character to fit into a family and how he can adjust so drastically and judge his past actions and friend associations.
January 6, 2019
Fourteen-year-old Calum Brooks has big dreams. One day he'll escape this boring life and write movies, proper ones, with massive budgets and A-list stars. For now, though, he's stuck coping alone while his dad works away, writing scripts in his head and trying to stay 'in' with his gang of mates at school, who don't like new kids, especially foreign ones. But when his father invites his new Polish girlfriend and her son, Sergi, to move in, Calum's life is turned upside down. He's actually sharing a room with 'the enemy'! How's he going to explain that to his mates? Yet when Calum is knocked down in a hit-and-run and breaks both legs, everything changes. Trapped at home, Calum and Sergi slowly start to understand each other and even work together to investigate a series of break-ins at the local community centre. But Calum can't help feeling that Sergei's hiding something. Is he really trying to help, or to cover up his own involvement in the crime?
January 19, 2018
I read this book late last year, searching for our school's 'Whole School Read '- I have read so many YA books ! But a few pages in - I was hooked - Calum - our main man is 14 - and life is hard for him. Like all children - he wants to fit it with his friends. He does to a certain extent but what they are doing makes him uneasy. His home life is complicated too, but Calum is a dreamer, and his dream is keeping him going. His life changes when his dad tells him that he wants his girlfriend and her son to come and live with them. Just when Calum thought things couldn't get any worse - they do- certainly don't want to give too much away but this is a great book for everyone- and covers lots of topical issues right now. I gave it 5 stars- I think this books will do really well.
October 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. As a local person, the places are familiar to me but I also liked the themes explored and feel they are really relevant to the kids in our area. I also loved the way the author intertwined the books and themes from other books that had inspired the story. I am now reading "Kestral for a Knave" and plan to read "Loneliness of a long distance runner" we even listened to Chopin which get a mention.
I will be recommending it to our students especially the boys who I think would overlook this book without a recommendation.
I will be recommending it to our students especially the boys who I think would overlook this book without a recommendation.
April 6, 2019
This was an incredible book about friendship, kindness, and following your drams. This book has to be one of my all-time favourites, it was amazing! I absolutely loved the character development throughout the book, and I think this book is so amazing because it is so real. It isn't some thriller, or futuristic book, but one that readers can relate to, as Calum comes from an ordinary are and isn't sure if it is worth following his dreams. I will never stop thinking about this book and please, please read it. :)
May 20, 2020
An easy read which covers real issues in life ..At first it may be a bit slow but then it picks up the pace. It covers issues such as xenophobia and how no matter how high your social class is you are still going to find corrupt people and that corruption has no class.I love how the story was based from the POV of the bully and how he realized that what he was doing was wrong . Overall it's a really sweet story which in the end everything was solved and covered.
January 26, 2023
Thoughts:
- The title is misleading.
- The book could have been more compelling if Sergei had been the main character but I understand the message the book wants to convey.
- I really wanted to punch Calum's face every time I read a chapter. I hated him. I almost gave up on the book because of him. He perfectly encapsulates an ignorant teenager.
- The book is okay, not great and not bad either
- The title is misleading.
- The book could have been more compelling if Sergei had been the main character but I understand the message the book wants to convey.
- I really wanted to punch Calum's face every time I read a chapter. I hated him. I almost gave up on the book because of him. He perfectly encapsulates an ignorant teenager.
- The book is okay, not great and not bad either
October 17, 2018
To be honest I found this book kind of boring. However this may just be preference because I prefer action packed books. For me it was boring because it just talks about this boy and his life. What I did like about the book is that there was a character in the book that I really loved because she was just like me!!! Enjoy!
April 27, 2019
I really enjoyed the themes of immigration and racism in the book as it is very relevant to what is happening in the news at the moment with brexit and all that. I really liked the story overall however I found some parts and especially the ending felt very rushed. I feel like I will try and pick up more Kim Slater books in the near future since I do love finding British contemporary YA books
December 27, 2019
The most adorable modern novel on being kids in this fast-paced, constantly changing and full-of-problem world. I brought it with me on an 8000 km far from home journey, it soothed me during the 17-hour flight and accompanied me in the loneliest nights. Absolutely love the book!! Also the idea of adding a script-like writing to the narration is very creative!
November 21, 2017
Very good story, in particular fighting the stereotypes of immigrants and Brexit, yes Brexit is mentioned quite a bit in this book. It also focuses on bullying from the bully's point of view and how friendship and kindness can defeat hate.
December 9, 2017
928 Miles From Home by Kim Slater is a coming of age novel told from the natural voice of 14 year old Calum Brook. The book deals with xenophobia and finding your own voice.
Cal goes along with whatever his best mate Linford says, even if it feels wrong to just stand by and laugh at the new student from Poland. The tables turn drastically when foreigners move into his home and he finds himself battling between two sides.
It was interesting to read about xenophobia from the mind of a 14 year old instead of the perspective of the affected. I loved seeing Cal break away from the stereotypes and go after his dream of screenwriting. A very, poignant book.
Cal goes along with whatever his best mate Linford says, even if it feels wrong to just stand by and laugh at the new student from Poland. The tables turn drastically when foreigners move into his home and he finds himself battling between two sides.
It was interesting to read about xenophobia from the mind of a 14 year old instead of the perspective of the affected. I loved seeing Cal break away from the stereotypes and go after his dream of screenwriting. A very, poignant book.
January 25, 2018
I thought this book was really good because it makes you want to keep reading. The book has good messages to readers. I liked this book the most out of all Kim Slaters books because you understand everything all the characters are going through.
September 6, 2017
It was a very good book!
It is about friends and trust.
I felt like I was in the same place as the character while reading this book.
It is about friends and trust.
I felt like I was in the same place as the character while reading this book.
August 25, 2018
Addictive. Tackles interesting issues about social mobility, blended families, immigration and crime. I loved it.
March 23, 2019
Nice, a bit too simple. The main character is deeply unlikeable all through the book.
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