What do you think?
Rate this book
Trainsurfer
Jabu runs away from a trainsurfing gang after a shocking accident. Will a discarded surfboard on a beach bring peril or hope?
The day his mother dies, Jabu’s instinct is to run. He runs away from the Johannesburg hospital and soon finds himself amongst a gang of train surfers on top of a hurtling train. After witnessing the dark side of train surfing, he continues to flee from his hopeless life, all the while searching for a place to call home. He stows away with an unexpected creature companion as he travels from Soweto to Durban, hoping to find his aunt.
Through a series of fortuitous events, Jabu makes interracial friendships (when that was unusual), learns to surf the waves and connects deeply with the street children called Father’s boys. Being an orphan in apartheid South Africa in the 1980s is perilous.
The police are a constant threat. It takes courage, loyalty and friendship to overcome societal dangers. On the other side of apartheid society is Billie, a gutsy tomboy. It’s not that she wants to be a boy, but she yearns to be with the boys in the surf, living daringly. One surfer, in particular, has her attention, but their lives are all about to change as they become a part of a bigger South African story that goes beyond surfing, 80’s music and escapism. Originally conceptualised as a screenplay, Trainsurfer is bursting with cinematic-style action. Threaded through with Christian motifs, the story is one of injustice, betrayal, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and ultimately, hope.
Teachers and librarians have recommended Trainsurfer. It was the 2021 Y9 #NZReadaloud in T2. Trainsurfer is on this Read NZ Te Pou Muramura worked with NZATE (New Zealand Association for the Teaching of English) and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) to create a master list of suitable books for secondary school English teachers and students. A salty, gritty, exciting, heartbreaking and hopeful page-turner
The day his mother dies, Jabu’s instinct is to run. He runs away from the Johannesburg hospital and soon finds himself amongst a gang of train surfers on top of a hurtling train. After witnessing the dark side of train surfing, he continues to flee from his hopeless life, all the while searching for a place to call home. He stows away with an unexpected creature companion as he travels from Soweto to Durban, hoping to find his aunt.
Through a series of fortuitous events, Jabu makes interracial friendships (when that was unusual), learns to surf the waves and connects deeply with the street children called Father’s boys. Being an orphan in apartheid South Africa in the 1980s is perilous.
The police are a constant threat. It takes courage, loyalty and friendship to overcome societal dangers. On the other side of apartheid society is Billie, a gutsy tomboy. It’s not that she wants to be a boy, but she yearns to be with the boys in the surf, living daringly. One surfer, in particular, has her attention, but their lives are all about to change as they become a part of a bigger South African story that goes beyond surfing, 80’s music and escapism. Originally conceptualised as a screenplay, Trainsurfer is bursting with cinematic-style action. Threaded through with Christian motifs, the story is one of injustice, betrayal, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and ultimately, hope.
Teachers and librarians have recommended Trainsurfer. It was the 2021 Y9 #NZReadaloud in T2. Trainsurfer is on this Read NZ Te Pou Muramura worked with NZATE (New Zealand Association for the Teaching of English) and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) to create a master list of suitable books for secondary school English teachers and students. A salty, gritty, exciting, heartbreaking and hopeful page-turner
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2018
About the author
Kate S. Richards
6 books8 followersKate S Richards lives with her husband and two adult kids in a house in the rainforest, with a menagerie of cats and dogs. Kate is a school librarian at a primary school in the Waitakere Ranges, working in a cosy red library amidst the kauri trees and the swooping kererus.
Kate loves spending time with the children at school - chatting about books, dressing up as book characters, talking about writing and supporting reading engagement.
Trainsurfer is her debut novel.
Saving Thandi is the sequel to Trainsurfer, in the series "Adventures of Jabu & Friends". Nikau's Escape is the climactic final in the series.
Call Me Madeleine is a near future climate change fiction (Cli-Fi), with intergenerational themes and a Christian romantic subplot.
Maia & the Mermaid Princess is a middle grade fantasy set in both the real world and a fantastical undersea world.
Kate loves spending time with the children at school - chatting about books, dressing up as book characters, talking about writing and supporting reading engagement.
Trainsurfer is her debut novel.
Saving Thandi is the sequel to Trainsurfer, in the series "Adventures of Jabu & Friends". Nikau's Escape is the climactic final in the series.
Call Me Madeleine is a near future climate change fiction (Cli-Fi), with intergenerational themes and a Christian romantic subplot.
Maia & the Mermaid Princess is a middle grade fantasy set in both the real world and a fantastical undersea world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 3, 2018
So rarely do I read a children’s/MG/YA book that captures my heart and my brain, that I’d almost forgotten what it is like. Author friends, please don’t take offense, because Trainsurfer is a very different book, a recent history exposé of a time many of us would love to forget—a story of racial prejudices, hatred, poverty, and injustice. I would like to make every child read this book, but for now just let me tell you a bit about it.
Set in South Africa during Apartheid, Trainsurfer tells the heartbreaking story of Jabu, an African youth who suddenly becomes an orphan. As Jabu’s life unfolds, he discovers worlds he never knew existed—the world of street children, the world of the wealthy white residents, and his aunt’s world, one rooted in poverty with no idea of escape. As you read, you’ll feel and endure Jabu’s hunger and despair.
Yet, like all really good books and the real world, good things and good people do exist. Jabu finds these things and learns to surf, to live, to learn, to love, and to seek a better place for himself and his friends. Trainsurfer is a tale of redemption and friendship. I won’t spoil it by telling you more. Read it for yourself. Read it to your children. You won’t soon forget Jabu and all his friends. (Oh, a lovely glossary of South African terms can be found at the end of the book. Use it as you read for a better understanding of the story.)
Set in South Africa during Apartheid, Trainsurfer tells the heartbreaking story of Jabu, an African youth who suddenly becomes an orphan. As Jabu’s life unfolds, he discovers worlds he never knew existed—the world of street children, the world of the wealthy white residents, and his aunt’s world, one rooted in poverty with no idea of escape. As you read, you’ll feel and endure Jabu’s hunger and despair.
Yet, like all really good books and the real world, good things and good people do exist. Jabu finds these things and learns to surf, to live, to learn, to love, and to seek a better place for himself and his friends. Trainsurfer is a tale of redemption and friendship. I won’t spoil it by telling you more. Read it for yourself. Read it to your children. You won’t soon forget Jabu and all his friends. (Oh, a lovely glossary of South African terms can be found at the end of the book. Use it as you read for a better understanding of the story.)
July 8, 2018
This author has not only created a wonderful story she has also filled a void in children’s literature. Talking about tough subjects with the younger people in our population is a daily struggle for parents, librarians and teachers. This book not only helps fill that gap but also gives the reader a poignant story.
This book deals with apartheid and its effect on children and teens. The main character, Jabu’s life while tragic, is shown in a way that kids can relate to. When characters of two different worlds are brought together through surfing, this common bond enables them to see into the lives of their fellow surfers. Sometimes deep thought can be started on a beach with a simple sign that says Whites Only.
This is definitely a book to add to any library or middle grade reading list.
This book deals with apartheid and its effect on children and teens. The main character, Jabu’s life while tragic, is shown in a way that kids can relate to. When characters of two different worlds are brought together through surfing, this common bond enables them to see into the lives of their fellow surfers. Sometimes deep thought can be started on a beach with a simple sign that says Whites Only.
This is definitely a book to add to any library or middle grade reading list.
June 25, 2018
Trainsurfer follows the story of a boy named Jabu. After his mother's death, the orphan begins his journey to find his aunt based on a lead written in his mother's Bible consisting of a name and phone number. He travels to his aunt's town where he encounters children whose lives are also destroyed due to poverty, homelessness, and social injustices. After moving in with his aunt, a series of events intorduces Jabu to the most unlikely of friends where he discovers and escape in surfing.
Trainsurfer is a coming of age story that tackles important issues of the late 1900s in South Africa such as segregation, the abuses of the political and law enforcement system, and poverty. Trainsurfer illustrates the hopelessness that clouds the futures of people affected by injustice and instills hope that change is coming and individuals do have the power to make a difference.
I highly recommend Trainsurfer to preteens.
Trainsurfer is a coming of age story that tackles important issues of the late 1900s in South Africa such as segregation, the abuses of the political and law enforcement system, and poverty. Trainsurfer illustrates the hopelessness that clouds the futures of people affected by injustice and instills hope that change is coming and individuals do have the power to make a difference.
I highly recommend Trainsurfer to preteens.
November 20, 2018
A great story for children and adults alike. When Jabu’s mother dies, he travels to the coast to live with his aunt but he is friendless and penniless, and finding his aunt is harder than he thought. Now he is in a strange town and we see how poverty and the racial segregation of Apartheid in South Africa, limit the life chances of this young boy. Meanwhile, others in the same town live a life of privilege, access to good schools, swimming pools in the garden and surfing. The two worlds collide by chance leading to unexpected friendships.
This is an exciting coming of age story that reveals the effects of the politics of recent history in South Africa so that the reader doesn’t just learn about it but through the story, you feel it – whether you are 10, 20 or 30 years old.
A beautiful story.
This is an exciting coming of age story that reveals the effects of the politics of recent history in South Africa so that the reader doesn’t just learn about it but through the story, you feel it – whether you are 10, 20 or 30 years old.
A beautiful story.
July 25, 2021
Started the book-30/05 Finished the book-09/07
RATING ⅘ stars.
I came across this book in class when Mrs Wilson started reading it to us. The message that came through was equality because no matter the race everyone is amazing and can achieve anything. My favourite character is Billie because she is nice, kind, resilient and a good friend to Jabu, Kyle and Josh. I think the appropriate age for this book would be 11-12 year olds or Intermediate level because it had some difficult words but it was a good book and full of adventure. I wasn't satisfied with the ending because I wanted to know more about ice but it was hooking me in to read it so I hope there is another book or series.
RATING ⅘ stars.
I came across this book in class when Mrs Wilson started reading it to us. The message that came through was equality because no matter the race everyone is amazing and can achieve anything. My favourite character is Billie because she is nice, kind, resilient and a good friend to Jabu, Kyle and Josh. I think the appropriate age for this book would be 11-12 year olds or Intermediate level because it had some difficult words but it was a good book and full of adventure. I wasn't satisfied with the ending because I wanted to know more about ice but it was hooking me in to read it so I hope there is another book or series.
October 1, 2019
Finally a book for intermediates about surfing that includes a subject and story that is well worth reading about. Jabu suffers the loss of his mother and journeys by rail to the city in search of shelter with his aunt. A couple of wrong turns later and life on the streets is broken up by a new love of surfing. Jabu is a likeable character as he is eager to give things a go and take some risks but also put effort in and do the right thing. Found this quite quick to read as the story moved on at a reasonable pace so am hoping this will appeal to some of our reluctant readers.
June 10, 2019
Trainsurfer by Kate S. Richards is a wonderful heartfelt story of friendship and rescue. Through story, Kate illuminates the political world of privilege and poverty in South Africa, of the racial segregation of Apartheid, and helps the reader experience how children’s lives are destroyed by poverty. Her story of recently orphaned Jabu takes us through his travels of desperation, street life, and through to friendship. Bravo, Kate for revealing so expertly the two worlds.
July 11, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's designed for young people, but I enjoyed it too. It did make me cry
September 26, 2019
i liked the book i got very sad when Jabus Mum died and when Ice fell off the train it was a very good book and Im looking foward to see if this author will release any more books from this series
August 8, 2021
My 12 year old son who's a reluctant reader was engrossed in this book straight away, and asked for the sequel after he finished.
May 22, 2018
Richards has written a great book for tweens and young adults about growing up in South Africa during Apartheid. The book does a great job of showing what it was like for teenagers without going too deep into the history. Jabu and Kyle are growing up in the same city but experiencing life very differently. They meet on a beach that allows blacks and begin their relationship centered around surfing. This should be on every kid's summer reading list.
July 2, 2020
Review to follow...
October 31, 2018
I read this book not knowing anything about it beforehand, on one long 5 hour bus ride...
It captivated me from start to finish. I thought it was a great insight into the appalling times of apartheid and educated me from a different perspective. There are Christian references woven through (and I am a total agnostic), but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book in any way at all. They were well placed and in context, and provided the hope and courage that the protagonist needed. There are many ways to seek those things and faith takes many forms. The characters were well drawn and the tale was redemptive. Kate has done a great job of this difficult subject matter and kept the interest alive and exciting through the surfing- which I've never done but feel inspired by!
I've only dropped it by one star because I think the cover could be better resolved. The content within is excellent!
It captivated me from start to finish. I thought it was a great insight into the appalling times of apartheid and educated me from a different perspective. There are Christian references woven through (and I am a total agnostic), but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book in any way at all. They were well placed and in context, and provided the hope and courage that the protagonist needed. There are many ways to seek those things and faith takes many forms. The characters were well drawn and the tale was redemptive. Kate has done a great job of this difficult subject matter and kept the interest alive and exciting through the surfing- which I've never done but feel inspired by!
I've only dropped it by one star because I think the cover could be better resolved. The content within is excellent!
July 25, 2021
I liked that this book was set in South Africa and I like the back and forth perspectives of the two characters. It had a good and well thought out back story about the main characters and it was easy to follow the story. The addition of various travel methods were cool, like the truck containing a rhinoceros. It helped reveal even more about the main character and made a good transition to the new setting of Durban and meeting the street kids. Overall, it was a good story.
July 25, 2021
Trainsurfer is a very inspiring book, about an African boy (Jabu) who learns to surf. He meets some local surfers and starts surfing with them. During the story, he meets two younger boys that are glue sniffers (Sipho and Vusi), he helps them and cares for them.
Overall it was a great book.
Overall it was a great book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2019
A Story of Tragedy and Triumph
Even though I enjoyed reading about the main character in the book and his heart wrenching challenges as well as his triumphs, I found the story disjointed. The story tended to jump around a lot which at times made it difficult to follow. Even with the challenges I would still recommend reading this book as it provides a glimpse into a life that most of us could never imagine living, let alone surviving.
Even though I enjoyed reading about the main character in the book and his heart wrenching challenges as well as his triumphs, I found the story disjointed. The story tended to jump around a lot which at times made it difficult to follow. Even with the challenges I would still recommend reading this book as it provides a glimpse into a life that most of us could never imagine living, let alone surviving.
July 25, 2021
An African teen boy, Jabu, becomes friends with some other teens and learns to surf. They come together to help others get off the street like Jabu was after his mother died. Using perseverance, kindness and collaboration, the teens can turn a bad situation into good. It’s clear that everyone can improve their life if they take any opportunity. I think young teens will enjoy it. All round I really enjoyed Trainsurfer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
My teacher selected this book for the New Zealand Read Aloud challenge. I enjoyed the storyline and the character arcs of people such as Jabu. For a book aimed at children, it was well written and presented.
I do think that Kyle's character arc was not believable. Realistically, someone with that amount of ego and opinion would not change that quickly. It was almost like his character had been completely changed.
I do think that Kyle's character arc was not believable. Realistically, someone with that amount of ego and opinion would not change that quickly. It was almost like his character had been completely changed.
July 25, 2021
The book dives into the lives of those who lived in South Africa during the apartheid time. The book was pretty good. It was bleak in the beginning but gets brighter and brighter, although it does briefly dive back into the darkness. By showing both sides of apartheid, the reader doesn't feel completely drawn to just one side of the black and white world. All the characters have problems that they overcome by the end of the book.
July 25, 2021
I read this book for a class read aloud challenge and it was a great story of friends falling apart then managing to come back. It's well written for children and possibly teens. I found the story line boring and I don't think I would read this book again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
Our teacher brought the book into class for us to read and do different activities with. It was a good book that has lots of action like surfing, tricks and going where they shouldn't. They also get in a lot of trouble. Which makes it a good exciting book.
July 27, 2021
Trainsurfer is a wonderful book filled with dreams and goals, perseverance and determination. Trainsurfer tells the story of a young African boy named Jabu who during the story learns to surf. I think the main message that came from the book was perseverance. I think this book appeals to girls and boys around the age of 13. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
July 27, 2021
I believe ‘Trainsurfer’ was directed at 11+ year old's ,roughly early high school students.
The book conveyed a message of equality and acceptance to the reader.
The book ended with a twist that is obviously unexpected.
The book conveyed a message of equality and acceptance to the reader.
The book ended with a twist that is obviously unexpected.
July 18, 2019
I liked that this book was set in South Africa and I like the back and forth perspectives of the two characters. I would have loved more character development!
July 25, 2021
It was a good book full of the ups and downs of all the friends and covered lots of different locations and scenes. It was full of action and adventures. When the police came it was exciting.
May 7, 2019
Overall, the story was an inspiring one. With a little more character development, this book could have been amazing.
July 25, 2021
I thought Trainsurfer was an interesting book and a good read. I liked the storyline and the characters and the book really got me hooked. I found myself wishing I had English every day so we could listen to the book which was part of New Zealand Read Aloud. It showed diversity and the troubles that some people go through. I liked Billie the most because she was kind and was the first to be friends with Jabu. Billie reminds us that we should always do the right thing even though others are not always agreeing with you. This book is good for people ages 13-14 and all our English class really liked it.
July 27, 2021
I read the Train Surfer as part of the New Zealand ReadAloud. Start and end dates were the 31th of May to the 9th of July. I thought the book was unique and gave its own message to the reader. I have never read anything like this book. The message that I got from the book was to be inclusive of everyone no matter what skin colour they are. Billie was my favorite character because she is very kind hearted and willing to help anyone who is maybe having a hard time or in need of help. From my perspective the book was a good age bracket for 13-14 year olds. Overall I really enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews