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Refugee Boy
Acclaimed performance poet and novelist Benjamin Zephaniah's honest, wry and poignant story of a young refugee left in London is of even more power and pertinence today than when it was first published.Life is not safe for Alem. His father is Ethopian, his mother Eritrean. Their countries are at war, and Alem is welcome in neither place.So Alem is excited to spend a holiday in London with his father - until he wakes up to find him gone. What seems like a betrayal is in fact an act of love, but now Alem is alone in a strange country, and he must forge his own path ...Brilliantly written and with a real ear for dialogue, fans of Angie Thomas and Malorie Blackman will love Benjamin Zephaniah's novels for young adult Refugee BoyFaceGangsta RapTeacher's Dead
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
240 people are currently reading
2939 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Zephaniah
78 books421 followersA British-Jamaican writer, dub poet and Rastafari. He was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
December 26, 2020
Benjamin Zephaniah is a master of simple storytelling. Simple yet powerful. He manages to say so much with only the most basic language. This is the tale of a 14 year old boy, written as him, and that's reflected in the vocabulary used in the novel. A refugee from war and violence, his safety and security relies on him facing the bureaucracy of the English asylum system. It's a daunting and dehumanising process. And so his story reminds us of what we should already know- that refugees are people. Scared, dispossessed, desperate people. That's it, that's all that should need to be said. Yet that's so often the last thing we hear...
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I wish I'd read it rather than listened. I usually love audio but this suffers from my pet peeve, a narrator that tries and fails to do regional accents. Seriously, why bother? The rest of the book is excellently read and Ben Bailey Smith has a wonderful voice, but accents done badly is like nails on a blackboard to me. I couldn't help focus on it above the story and that annoyed me even more.
So, if that kind of thing bothers you, read the book. But do read the book. It might be for young people, but it's powerful enough to speak to us all.
Audio via Netgalley
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I wish I'd read it rather than listened. I usually love audio but this suffers from my pet peeve, a narrator that tries and fails to do regional accents. Seriously, why bother? The rest of the book is excellently read and Ben Bailey Smith has a wonderful voice, but accents done badly is like nails on a blackboard to me. I couldn't help focus on it above the story and that annoyed me even more.
So, if that kind of thing bothers you, read the book. But do read the book. It might be for young people, but it's powerful enough to speak to us all.
Audio via Netgalley
November 3, 2023
Just less than 60 pages, this is Lemn Sissay's play adaptation of Benjamin Zephaniah's novel.
Refugee Boy tells the story of a family holding both Ethiopian and Eritrean nationalities and their refugee status in the UK.
I would love to see this on stage. While I know a bit about the war between the two countries (which i have to credit to the Asylum Speakers podcast), this play has given me a bit more insight and I need to know more.
Four stars.
Refugee Boy tells the story of a family holding both Ethiopian and Eritrean nationalities and their refugee status in the UK.
I would love to see this on stage. While I know a bit about the war between the two countries (which i have to credit to the Asylum Speakers podcast), this play has given me a bit more insight and I need to know more.
Four stars.
May 1, 2017
Trigger warnings: racism, murder (it happens off the page and is only related in letter form, but , death of a parent.
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I mean, it's the story of a 14 year old boy whose father takes him to England on "holiday" and then leaves him there to claim refugee status to get him out of the Ethiopian/Eritrean border war. It should have been hard hitting and compelling and an insight to the way that the legal process around refugees is handled.
But it somehow fell completely flat. I found it difficult to engage with the characters. I really didn't like the writing. I had very little emotional reaction, even when brutal events were being described.
So while there were some interesting examinations of Alem coming to terms with English society and dealing with the legalities of applying for asylum, it mostly felt...simplistic and like it was intended for a much younger audience.
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I mean, it's the story of a 14 year old boy whose father takes him to England on "holiday" and then leaves him there to claim refugee status to get him out of the Ethiopian/Eritrean border war. It should have been hard hitting and compelling and an insight to the way that the legal process around refugees is handled.
But it somehow fell completely flat. I found it difficult to engage with the characters. I really didn't like the writing. I had very little emotional reaction, even when brutal events were being described.
So while there were some interesting examinations of Alem coming to terms with English society and dealing with the legalities of applying for asylum, it mostly felt...simplistic and like it was intended for a much younger audience.
January 8, 2024
Jan 7, 645pm ~~ I learned about this author for the first time when I read articles at the Guardian newspaper website about him after his death in December 2023. There was such a huge outpouring of love and admiration and all I could think was who was Benjamin Zephaniah, anyway?
I ordered this and one other of his novels from my favorite online used book seller, and chose to read Refugee Boy since it was published first, in 2001.
The book tells the story of fourteen year old Alem Kelo and his parents. They are from Ethiopia, a country at war with neighboring Eritrea over a border area both countries claim as their own. But what makes life extra difficult for this family is that Mr. Kelo is from Ethiopia and Mrs. Kelo Is from Eritrea. Neither country wants them. When they are in Ethiopia Mrs. Kelo is despised. When they are in Eritrea Mr. Kelo is the enemy. Poor Alem is seen as a mongrel belonging nowhere at all.
As challenging as Alem's personal trials were, there was a scene late in the book that sort of caught me by surprise because of current events. Alem is getting to know a young man who is living in the same building. Alem has answered many questions before beginning to ask some of his own.
'What's your name?'
'My name is Abbas Noor and I am Palestinian.'
Alem began to think. 'I can't remember now, where is Palestine?'
'That is the problem. Palestine has been taken off the map.'
Even more true in 2024 than it was in 2001.
I was very impressed with Benjamin Zephaniah and will read Gangsta Rap next. I also just managed to order BZ's autobiography, so that will be coming up soon as well.
Shameful to learn of a great human being only after they have passed away, isn't it.
I ordered this and one other of his novels from my favorite online used book seller, and chose to read Refugee Boy since it was published first, in 2001.
The book tells the story of fourteen year old Alem Kelo and his parents. They are from Ethiopia, a country at war with neighboring Eritrea over a border area both countries claim as their own. But what makes life extra difficult for this family is that Mr. Kelo is from Ethiopia and Mrs. Kelo Is from Eritrea. Neither country wants them. When they are in Ethiopia Mrs. Kelo is despised. When they are in Eritrea Mr. Kelo is the enemy. Poor Alem is seen as a mongrel belonging nowhere at all.
As challenging as Alem's personal trials were, there was a scene late in the book that sort of caught me by surprise because of current events. Alem is getting to know a young man who is living in the same building. Alem has answered many questions before beginning to ask some of his own.
'What's your name?'
'My name is Abbas Noor and I am Palestinian.'
Alem began to think. 'I can't remember now, where is Palestine?'
'That is the problem. Palestine has been taken off the map.'
Even more true in 2024 than it was in 2001.
I was very impressed with Benjamin Zephaniah and will read Gangsta Rap next. I also just managed to order BZ's autobiography, so that will be coming up soon as well.
Shameful to learn of a great human being only after they have passed away, isn't it.
February 3, 2014
I read this book for work purposes as I work in literacy with teenagers. I have heard such good things about this book so it has surprised me that of all the YA books I have read over the last year this was my least favourite. I found the writing style weak and as though it was written for children much younger than its intended audience. I also found it difficult to really engage with the characters, mostly due to the way it was written. In my opinion it would be a book for very weak readers and is hard to appreciate as an adult reading a YA book.
July 21, 2011
Absolutely incredible story - I was stunned to find out at the end that it was fictional! I honestly thought this was a true story. Man.
I read an 'uncorrected proof' because that just happened to be the copy I found (in a secondhand bookstore). So I don't know if things were changed or what, but I LOVED the start - how in the first chapter they are in Ethiopia, and Alem's father is being called a traitor because his wife is Eritrean... then the second chapter is almost word for word exactly the same - the only difference being now they are in Eritrea, and his mother is being called a traitor because her husband is Ethiopian. It's a really strong start that paints so vividly the conflict between the two places. And I am gonna admit now that before this book... I knew jack-all about that!
After that, Alem and his father go on a "holiday" to England... where Alem's father leaves him in hopes that his boy will be able to gain refugee status, and safety. The fact that he only spent one night in the detention centre before finding a foster home seemed a tad farfetched, but apart from that... amazing story. So sad too :( But oh, Alem was a wonderful character to read about! I really loved him :)
I read an 'uncorrected proof' because that just happened to be the copy I found (in a secondhand bookstore). So I don't know if things were changed or what, but I LOVED the start - how in the first chapter they are in Ethiopia, and Alem's father is being called a traitor because his wife is Eritrean... then the second chapter is almost word for word exactly the same - the only difference being now they are in Eritrea, and his mother is being called a traitor because her husband is Ethiopian. It's a really strong start that paints so vividly the conflict between the two places. And I am gonna admit now that before this book... I knew jack-all about that!
After that, Alem and his father go on a "holiday" to England... where Alem's father leaves him in hopes that his boy will be able to gain refugee status, and safety. The fact that he only spent one night in the detention centre before finding a foster home seemed a tad farfetched, but apart from that... amazing story. So sad too :( But oh, Alem was a wonderful character to read about! I really loved him :)
August 22, 2020
3.5
"...look at all the things that I am capable of, and think of all the things you could call me - a student a lover of literature, a budding architect, a friend, a symbol of hope even, but what am I called? A refugee. Some people believe that I gave up my homeland and lost my parents in order to become a refugee; some people actually believe that I gave up thirteen months of sunshine to live in the cold and to be called a scrounger. I didn't."
Although I am only giving this book 3.5/5 stars I do believe that this should be mandatory reading for all teenagers. Yes, I think that the ending was too abrupt (although, that is how tragedy tends to attack, abruptly and without warning) and I do think that Alem's father needed more development, but this book was extremely powerful. I know a lot of older readers will be put off by the simplistic writing but I think that is important, so that younger readers can focus on the message of the story without distraction, and I myself found that this simplicity added to the poignancy.
I have now read 4 of Benjamin Zephaniah's young adult books and if I was to rank them it would probably look like:
1. Teacher's Dead
2. Refugee Boy
3. Face
4. Terror Kid
"...look at all the things that I am capable of, and think of all the things you could call me - a student a lover of literature, a budding architect, a friend, a symbol of hope even, but what am I called? A refugee. Some people believe that I gave up my homeland and lost my parents in order to become a refugee; some people actually believe that I gave up thirteen months of sunshine to live in the cold and to be called a scrounger. I didn't."
Although I am only giving this book 3.5/5 stars I do believe that this should be mandatory reading for all teenagers. Yes, I think that the ending was too abrupt (although, that is how tragedy tends to attack, abruptly and without warning) and I do think that Alem's father needed more development, but this book was extremely powerful. I know a lot of older readers will be put off by the simplistic writing but I think that is important, so that younger readers can focus on the message of the story without distraction, and I myself found that this simplicity added to the poignancy.
I have now read 4 of Benjamin Zephaniah's young adult books and if I was to rank them it would probably look like:
1. Teacher's Dead
2. Refugee Boy
3. Face
4. Terror Kid
January 4, 2022
I really enjoyed ‘Refugee Boy’ I found it a fascinating and thought provoking novel. This book mentions problems such as racism, war, violence and murder.
This book is the story of Alem; his father is Ethiopian , his mother is Eritrean. His countries are at war, he is not accepted in either. So when his father takes him on a holiday to London he is excited. But then his father disappears and not all is as it seems.
The book started off in Ethiopia where Alem’s family was called out for being Eritrean….
‘The soldier continued shouting. ‘Are you Ethiopian or Eritrean? Tell us we want to know’
…
‘You are a traitor.’
…
‘Leave Ethiopia or die.’
The same thing happened when they moved to Eritrea.
From this point in the novel I felt sympathy for Alem’s family, all they wanted was peace yet they were not welcome anywhere. I enjoyed the way Zephaniah represented Alem; as a child who sees all people the same, and wants them to be treated equally.
I definitely feel that this book teaches the reader about the harsh realities of those who are asylum seekers. Also how our justice system is in no way ‘just’ or fair.
Although the language in this novel is simple and the plot basic, the underlying themes and ideas that Zephaniah teaches us through it are much deeper. So much about the characters is revealed in the way they interact, so much of the real plot emerges subtly.
I was surprised about how much I fell in love with this book, from the very first page I could not stop reading.
I also enjoyed chapter 27 (last chapter), I felt it sends a powerful message out and it certainly made the book feel finished and complete.
This is not the end
This line sums up the book, the message of ‘this is not the end’ is a aphorism we can certainly carry into all the we do. No matter how hard Alem found it it was the the end till it was the end.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a thought-provoking and moving read.
I can barely fault this book so…
5/5 stars
This book is the story of Alem; his father is Ethiopian , his mother is Eritrean. His countries are at war, he is not accepted in either. So when his father takes him on a holiday to London he is excited. But then his father disappears and not all is as it seems.
The book started off in Ethiopia where Alem’s family was called out for being Eritrean….
‘The soldier continued shouting. ‘Are you Ethiopian or Eritrean? Tell us we want to know’
…
‘You are a traitor.’
…
‘Leave Ethiopia or die.’
The same thing happened when they moved to Eritrea.
From this point in the novel I felt sympathy for Alem’s family, all they wanted was peace yet they were not welcome anywhere. I enjoyed the way Zephaniah represented Alem; as a child who sees all people the same, and wants them to be treated equally.
I definitely feel that this book teaches the reader about the harsh realities of those who are asylum seekers. Also how our justice system is in no way ‘just’ or fair.
Although the language in this novel is simple and the plot basic, the underlying themes and ideas that Zephaniah teaches us through it are much deeper. So much about the characters is revealed in the way they interact, so much of the real plot emerges subtly.
I was surprised about how much I fell in love with this book, from the very first page I could not stop reading.
I also enjoyed chapter 27 (last chapter), I felt it sends a powerful message out and it certainly made the book feel finished and complete.
This is not the end
This line sums up the book, the message of ‘this is not the end’ is a aphorism we can certainly carry into all the we do. No matter how hard Alem found it it was the the end till it was the end.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a thought-provoking and moving read.
I can barely fault this book so…
5/5 stars
August 2, 2018
‘The planet is for everyone, borders are for no one. It’s all about freedom’.
I read this book in one day. I’ve never read anything by Benjamin Zephaniah, but I am aware of who he is. I read this book as part of the Penguin Read the Year challenge. This month’s book theme is migration.
This was an easy book to follow, in terms of its narrative- the central character is Alem, a young boy. It very much feels like the narrative is very childlike in its nature. However, this is not to say this is a childish book. It deals with very real issues, especially those faced by young refugees in the UK.
A fantastic read.
I read this book in one day. I’ve never read anything by Benjamin Zephaniah, but I am aware of who he is. I read this book as part of the Penguin Read the Year challenge. This month’s book theme is migration.
This was an easy book to follow, in terms of its narrative- the central character is Alem, a young boy. It very much feels like the narrative is very childlike in its nature. However, this is not to say this is a childish book. It deals with very real issues, especially those faced by young refugees in the UK.
A fantastic read.
January 4, 2022
I really enjoyed ‘Refugee Boy’ I found it a fascinating and thought provoking novel. This book mentions problems such as racism, war, violence and murder.
This book is the story of Alem; his father is Ethiopian , his mother is Eritrean. His countries are at war, he is not accepted in either. So when his father takes him on a holiday to London he is excited. But then his father disappears and not all is as it seems.
The book started off in Ethiopia where Alem’s family was called out for being Eritrean….
‘The soldier continued shouting. ‘Are you Ethiopian or Eritrean? Tell us we want to know’
…
‘You are a traitor.’
…
‘Leave Ethiopia or die.’
The same thing happened when they moved to Eritrea.
From this point in the novel I felt sympathy for Alem’s family, all they wanted was peace yet they were not welcome anywhere. I enjoyed the way Zephaniah represented Alem; as a child who sees all people the same, and wants them to be treated equally.
I definitely feel that this book teaches the reader about the harsh realities of those who are asylum seekers. Also how our justice system is in no way ‘just’ or fair.
Although the language in this novel is simple and the plot basic, the underlying themes and ideas that Zephaniah teaches us through it are much deeper. So much about the characters is revealed in the way they interact, so much of the real plot emerges subtly.
I was surprised about how much I fell in love with this book, from the very first page I could not stop reading.
I also enjoyed chapter 27 (last chapter), I felt it sends a powerful message out and it certainly made the book feel finished and complete.
This is not the end
This line sums up the book, the message of ‘this is not the end’ is a aphorism we can certainly carry into all the we do. No matter how hard Alem found it it was the the end till it was the end.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a thought-provoking and moving read.
I can barely fault this book so…
5/5 stars
This book is the story of Alem; his father is Ethiopian , his mother is Eritrean. His countries are at war, he is not accepted in either. So when his father takes him on a holiday to London he is excited. But then his father disappears and not all is as it seems.
The book started off in Ethiopia where Alem’s family was called out for being Eritrean….
‘The soldier continued shouting. ‘Are you Ethiopian or Eritrean? Tell us we want to know’
…
‘You are a traitor.’
…
‘Leave Ethiopia or die.’
The same thing happened when they moved to Eritrea.
From this point in the novel I felt sympathy for Alem’s family, all they wanted was peace yet they were not welcome anywhere. I enjoyed the way Zephaniah represented Alem; as a child who sees all people the same, and wants them to be treated equally.
I definitely feel that this book teaches the reader about the harsh realities of those who are asylum seekers. Also how our justice system is in no way ‘just’ or fair.
Although the language in this novel is simple and the plot basic, the underlying themes and ideas that Zephaniah teaches us through it are much deeper. So much about the characters is revealed in the way they interact, so much of the real plot emerges subtly.
I was surprised about how much I fell in love with this book, from the very first page I could not stop reading.
I also enjoyed chapter 27 (last chapter), I felt it sends a powerful message out and it certainly made the book feel finished and complete.
This is not the end
This line sums up the book, the message of ‘this is not the end’ is a aphorism we can certainly carry into all the we do. No matter how hard Alem found it it was the the end till it was the end.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a thought-provoking and moving read.
I can barely fault this book so…
5/5 stars
January 10, 2024
This is a heart-rendering story of a young African boy, Alem, who is seeking asylum in England. Ethiopia and Eritrea are at war. One of Alem’s parents is Ethiopian, the other Eritrean. Both are considered traitors to their country for marrying across the divide, and Alem is regarded as a mongrel by both sides. As a family, they are bullied and discriminated against in both countries, and at constant risk of violence.
Alem’s father brings him to England for a ‘holiday’, then leaves him – with a note for the hotel, and one for Alem – saying Alem needs to stay in England to be safe and have a future, while his father will go back to Africa ensure the safety of his wife.
After a night in a children’s home, where Alem is bullied again, he is taken to the home of a wonderfully supportive foster family, the Fitzgeralds. Alem starts at the local school where he applies himself fully to his studies and makes some friends. Meanwhile, his application for asylum is put through, and he receives a letter from his father to say his mother has been killed.
Bad news continues, yet throughout it all, Alem is a remarkably resilient child. The process for seeking asylum seems designed to drag people down – it takes too long, strips people of their dignity, and relies on those with little to no concept of the situation that asylum seekers have escaped, to make arbitrary decisions on their future. Listening to Alem’s (and his father’s) case, you would think granting asylum would be automatic – not so.
Thankfully, Alem has excellent support from his lawyer and the refugee council, but most importantly from his foster parents, friends and school. But, unfortunately, there are more problems ahead, and England does not turn out to be the safe place it purports to be.
We have room and resources in this country to take in genuine asylum seekers. We need more stories like this to make people understand what is at stake for those who have been forced to leave their homes. Asylum seekers do NOT come to this country to leach off our benefit system. They would love to live in their own country, but life might not be possible there anymore.
Highly recommended.
Alem’s father brings him to England for a ‘holiday’, then leaves him – with a note for the hotel, and one for Alem – saying Alem needs to stay in England to be safe and have a future, while his father will go back to Africa ensure the safety of his wife.
After a night in a children’s home, where Alem is bullied again, he is taken to the home of a wonderfully supportive foster family, the Fitzgeralds. Alem starts at the local school where he applies himself fully to his studies and makes some friends. Meanwhile, his application for asylum is put through, and he receives a letter from his father to say his mother has been killed.
Bad news continues, yet throughout it all, Alem is a remarkably resilient child. The process for seeking asylum seems designed to drag people down – it takes too long, strips people of their dignity, and relies on those with little to no concept of the situation that asylum seekers have escaped, to make arbitrary decisions on their future. Listening to Alem’s (and his father’s) case, you would think granting asylum would be automatic – not so.
Thankfully, Alem has excellent support from his lawyer and the refugee council, but most importantly from his foster parents, friends and school. But, unfortunately, there are more problems ahead, and England does not turn out to be the safe place it purports to be.
We have room and resources in this country to take in genuine asylum seekers. We need more stories like this to make people understand what is at stake for those who have been forced to leave their homes. Asylum seekers do NOT come to this country to leach off our benefit system. They would love to live in their own country, but life might not be possible there anymore.
Highly recommended.
August 5, 2021
This is a wonderful and heartbreaking book that explores the experience of becoming a child refugee. Written very well, I felt behind each character, and the story came across as very real. A really good book for teenagers to start to explore ideas of displacement, conflict and refugees.
May 31, 2019
had to read this for school and was not pleased with my grade.
February 21, 2023
'Refugee Boy' is, as you'd expect, a story that doesn't leave the reader indifferent, as we live in a world where millions of people are seeking asylum and refugee elsewhere especially in Europe, especially in the UK as this book shows.
Told from the point of view of teenager Alem Kelo, born out of Eritrea and Ethiopia and unfairly punished for it amidst the conflicts between the two countries, we are given a perspective of what the life of an asylum seeker might look like. This is special, this is important to bring awareness to. Despite the tragedies, I found this story uplifting because Alem, although losing his roots in the UK to the care of excellent people, and brought to a life of education and good friends. I'm not sure, however, how many young unaccompanied and separated children refugees, and asylum seekers have such support in their daunting journeys toward safety and acceptance.
Now, my issue with the book is it can be over-simplistic. The author claims to have taken from thousands of stories he has heard from asylum seekers but I found that this promise was barely delivered, that there was so much more that could have been added to this book.
In any case, do read this book if you can, and if you have the chance support refugee-helping organizations such as the Refugee Council and others alike in your countries, and fight the populistic narratives that dehumanize people seeking refuge in another country, especially if fleeing war and conflict zones, or any sort of unfair prosecution. Just remember: today around 40% of the world’s displaced are children like Alem. And Interestingly enough, Ethiopia shelters the largest number anywhere in the world of unaccompanied and separated children.
To finish, one of my favorite quotes from the book: “This planet is for everyone, borders are for no one. It's all about freedom.”
Told from the point of view of teenager Alem Kelo, born out of Eritrea and Ethiopia and unfairly punished for it amidst the conflicts between the two countries, we are given a perspective of what the life of an asylum seeker might look like. This is special, this is important to bring awareness to. Despite the tragedies, I found this story uplifting because Alem, although losing his roots in the UK to the care of excellent people, and brought to a life of education and good friends. I'm not sure, however, how many young unaccompanied and separated children refugees, and asylum seekers have such support in their daunting journeys toward safety and acceptance.
Now, my issue with the book is it can be over-simplistic. The author claims to have taken from thousands of stories he has heard from asylum seekers but I found that this promise was barely delivered, that there was so much more that could have been added to this book.
In any case, do read this book if you can, and if you have the chance support refugee-helping organizations such as the Refugee Council and others alike in your countries, and fight the populistic narratives that dehumanize people seeking refuge in another country, especially if fleeing war and conflict zones, or any sort of unfair prosecution. Just remember: today around 40% of the world’s displaced are children like Alem. And Interestingly enough, Ethiopia shelters the largest number anywhere in the world of unaccompanied and separated children.
To finish, one of my favorite quotes from the book: “This planet is for everyone, borders are for no one. It's all about freedom.”
April 4, 2021
"refugee boy" is more than just a straightforward tale about asylum seekers; it shows the importance of storytelling, imagination, and friendship. The author, Benjamin Zephaniah, is one of my favorite authors, and I have to admit, he did an excellent job writing this book and bringing such a compelling story to the readers (I'm not being biased, just saying what I think of the writing itself.) This story provided insight into subjects that are mostly dismissed as "unimportant" by those who have never investigated the topics fully or even been through them. I strongly advise anyone interested in rights, dignity and most notably, the desire to remain strong in the face of adversity, to read this book.
April 26, 2014
I found the story to be moving, but the writing was not very strong. It helped that I work with people from East Africa - I was interested to read about some of the recent history and to consider what refugees go through in seeking asylum. Unfortunately, the characters were one-dimensional and the style was clumsy. The book may be worth reading, but I didn't love it.
June 26, 2016
3.5*
This is a novel about a boy who had to flee from both Ethiopia and Eritrea and ends up as a refugee in Great Britain. I think the subject matter is a very important one and I overall liked how it was addressed, I just felt that the story was lacking on the emotional side, or rather, the writing didn't really provoke many emotions in me, which is a bit of a shame.
This is a novel about a boy who had to flee from both Ethiopia and Eritrea and ends up as a refugee in Great Britain. I think the subject matter is a very important one and I overall liked how it was addressed, I just felt that the story was lacking on the emotional side, or rather, the writing didn't really provoke many emotions in me, which is a bit of a shame.
May 30, 2018
This book was recommended to me. It’s a teenage/YA book with a simple but very powerful message. It is in many ways a tragic story. I choose to believe that the main character built a good life here in the UK with the help of his foster family and friends.
May 14, 2021
It is books and plays like Refugee Boy that make me so excited to get up and go to work. What a gift!
October 11, 2025
Etiyopya'da iç savaş can güvenliğini ortadan kaldırınca on dört yaşındaki Alem'i babası Londra'ya götürür. Birlikte Londra'yı gezerler; hayvanat bahçesi, oyun parkları derken akşam olur bir otele yerleşirler. Baba çocuğunu öpüp koklar. Sabah olduğunda baba yok baba gitmiş. Romanın ilk sayfaları bu sahneyi verir. Alem'in Londra macerası böylelikle başlar. Otel görevlisinin durumu bildirmeye telefonu tuşladığında İngiliz sistemi Alem için çalışmaya başlar. Göçmenlerle ilgilenen sivil toplum kuruluşundan kadınlar olay yerine gelir, Alem'i koruma altına alır, koruyucu aile bulunur ve Alem'in Londra'da tutunabilmesi için hep birlikte mücadeleye başlanır. Devlet Alem'i sınır dışı etmenin hazırlığını yapmaktadır çünkü. Umut neredeyse yok gibidir. Sivil toplum kuruluşunun güçlü bütçesi ve yaptırımcı haklarıyla nasıl çatır çatır çalıştığının tanıklığını yaparken bir yandan da Alem'in hüznünü okuruz.
January 3, 2025
Benjamins Zephianiah bija lielisks britu jamaikišu dzejnieks, rakstnieks, aktieris. Cilvēks kas visu mūžu cīnijās ar koloniālismu, tāpēc kad britu valdība piešķīra Britu impērijas ordeni viņš no tās atteicās. Grāmata manās rokās nonāca pavisam nejauši, bet bija vērts lasīt skaudru un labi uzrakstītu stāstu, par sāpēm p ar cerību, par cilvēcību, kuru mūs valstī, ja esi nepareizajā pusē uz robežas mežā negrib atzīt, dažreiz pat visai liberāli ļaudis.
December 26, 2022
To me, this one would be a 3.5 stars, but the option's not available. Why? Mainly because the story was by far too predictable and I could foresee a lot of situations before they actually happened. However, If you're looking forward to finding a story with a lot to think about, a moral at the end and of easy reading, this one is one of the kind.
May 2, 2024
Esta reseña es especialmente personal porque la verdad es que el libro está bien hecho y es interesante pero no me atrapo lo suficiente y no es del estilo de libro q leería por gusto. / This review is especially personal because the truth is that the book is well done and interesting but it didn't grab me enough and it is not the style of book that I would read for pleasure.
March 17, 2024
Cried for the last 30 pages. Should honestly be taught in every school
April 30, 2024
Boring as hell
May 5, 2024
Aburrido🥱 💤
September 30, 2022
it's a good book :) got emotional reading it towards the end especially
July 8, 2020
This book is a quick and easy read, and I enjoyed it very much. However, the subject matter is not easy, and many important issues are raised, including war, persecution, treatment of refugees, and at a more personal level, subjects such as bullying and teenage dissatisfication with life are also touched on. The book itself is the simply-told story of Alem's life after he arrives in England and his experiences in a children's home, with a wonderful foster family, at school, and with the government and independent agencies which deal with refugees. But it provides much food for thought, and would be a great book to read with a class of teenagers, with plenty of issues to provoke discussion. Even though many terrible things happen, Alem himself is a fantastic role model as he he remains courageous and hard-working throughout, and it also has a very positive view of teenagers and the positive force for action and change which they can be.
August 15, 2021
We live in a world where it is becoming more normalised than ever to reject the laws of empathy. Often people will talk about the “greater good” of an act and reject how certain things impact on individuals. This sad truth is what makes Benjamin Zephaniah’s book so poignant and important.
Refugee Boy is a beautifully moving and utterly heart-wrenching tale of a young refugee boy seeking asylum in the UK.
As a young Ethiopian / Eritrean boy, Alem’s experience of moving to the UK in order to escape persecution is not easy or straightforward. Whilst Alem sadly experiences the pain and injustice of racism, characters like Robert and the Fitzgeralds demonstrate the power of kindness and hope for humanity.
Be aware this is a teen novel, so expect a writing style aimed at younger readers!
Refugee Boy is a beautifully moving and utterly heart-wrenching tale of a young refugee boy seeking asylum in the UK.
As a young Ethiopian / Eritrean boy, Alem’s experience of moving to the UK in order to escape persecution is not easy or straightforward. Whilst Alem sadly experiences the pain and injustice of racism, characters like Robert and the Fitzgeralds demonstrate the power of kindness and hope for humanity.
Be aware this is a teen novel, so expect a writing style aimed at younger readers!
June 2, 2018
I didn't realise it was a children's book. I found the subject matter interesting, but it didn't really touch me, I wasn't all that invested. Also I found Alem to be a little too perfect and his father sometimes a bit frightening. But I'm aware that those feelings might be, because of my prejudices.
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