Warrior Boy: a stunning adventure with themes of masculinity, identity and overcoming fear

by Virginia Clay

Ben is sure he won't be accepted by his estranged Maasai family, but when he arrives in Kenya, he finds there is a lot more at stake than his pride ... In a stunning adventure, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery as he sets out to claim his true place in the world.

Genres: Middle Grade, Kenya

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2018

About the author

Virginia grew up in Cumbria, where the persistent rain encouraged her to spend many hours reading, writing and developing a pretty intense tea addiction. Eventually, she made a caffeine fuelled break for the city to read English at Manchester and then on to London where she worked as an actress for fifteen years. Virginia retrained as an English teacher after moving to Kenya – the home of tea – where she is now enjoying a nice sit down and a cup of decaf with her husband and two young children.

Reviews

[Rebecca Stonehill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warrior Boy, Virginia Clay's debut novel for young readers, was a delight from start to finish. Following the journey of schoolboy Ben from London to the wilds of the Masai Mara in Kenya, he reconnects with his warrior father's side of the family and, in doing so, comes away from his journey a stronger, more self-assured version of himself. Filled with plenty of nail-biting moments (think: coming face to face with elephant poachers, death threats & gun battles), this novel expresses a deep love for Kenya, its people and its threatened wildlife. A must-read for children and adults of all ages.

[Wothaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a book club read with a few kids and to get to experience the story with them was amazing. The story follows Ben who comes to Kenya from London with his mother who is filmimg elephants to try and create awareness about poaching. Ben is also on a mission to find out more about the country where his dad comes from and despite the many hardles that come his way, he is able to have a wonderful experience with the help of his cousin Kip.

The book is simple and has an easy plot to follow seeing that it's mostly meant for primary school children but it does not take away from the joy of reading it.
It was insightful to hear the kids relate to Ben and Kip by drawing from their experiences.

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Ben, a boy who lives in London with his documentary-maker mum and feels like he doesn`t fit in, as he and his mum travel to Kenya so she can make a documentary about poaching and Ben can meet his deceased father`s family who are part of the Maasai tribe. Ben was a great character, and I loved his friendship with his cousin Kip once he arrived and the dialogue between them provided some great humour amongst some more serious aspects to the book. I also enjoyed the development of his relationships with the other new family members he meets, especially his grandfather. I loved learning about the Maasai culture and their customs, and the African setting was fantastic, as was the discussion surrounding poaching. The climax, in which the final confrontation with the poachers takes place, was beyond thrilling; I was on the edge of my seat and I had no idea what would happen until the resolution. 4.5/5

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because the author is going to visit our school next week. It’s a fun and interesting story that I think lots of kids would enjoy. It’s a good intro to Kenya and the Maasai tribe.

[Mike Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
This is an real surprise of a book.
Bought it ages ago because the cover caught my eye, and then never touched… I have missed an brilliant story of finding yourself, your family, your story, fighting fears, and becoming ‘a man’, a ‘warrior’.
Set as we follow Ben(edict) to Kenya, the home of his Maasai father, with his English mother to film elephant poachers in the Maasai Mara.
Here he meets his African family for the first time - making best friends with Kip(at), his cousin and finding out the story of his father’s tragic death by lion and his Uncle Senteu’s 13yr regret.
A week out in the bush with Kip and Koipapi (grandfather) teaches Ben everything he needs to truly know himself.

I just loved it - couldn’t put it down!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Pippa Birch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had lovely descriptions of the Maasi Mara, the landscape and the culture. However, I'm 15 (had this book lying around for about 3 years I think!) and I believe the intended audience is 9-12. There is some innuendo, a couple of swears and quite a bit of violence for this age group. It seemed slightly over dramatised, but it does teach a younger generation about poaching so I think that is a really important message, especially as it focuses on the people as well as the animals.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows a journey of a schoolboy, Ben, from London who travels to the wilds of the Masai Mara in Kenya. He goes to reconnect with his warrior father’s side of the family.
He embarks on a mission to find out more about his father, the Maasai tribe and the country he comes from. From his journey, he becomes a more assured version of himself.
Filled with excitement – death threats, fun battles and elephant poachers.

A must read for children and adults alike.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid and original setting among the Maasai in Kenya, with a well developed depiction of Ben overcoming his fear of blood . The book also raises awareness of the threat of poachers.

I found some of the dialogue irritating, but wonder whether the book would be better suited to a teenage audience.

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to start the new year. Ben, a boy from London with a white mother and a Maasai father who was killed before he was born, heads to Kenya for the first time to meet his extended family. He must perform various challenges to prove he is a warrior. Friendships, heartaches, a steep leaning curve and poachers are all on the horizon. Great middle grade book!

[Dorrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and interesting tale as Ben returns with his elephant conservationist Mum to Kenya and reconnects with his Maasai heritage. Along the way he encounters the ugly and brutal reality of elephant poaching, immerses himself in his culture and traditions and learns who he is and gains an understanding and acceptance of his own identity.

[Runningrara · Rating 3 out of 5]

English boy goes to Kenya where he learns to be a Masai warrior, delivers a cow, fights off gun-toting elephant poachers. Too much violence, blood and innuendo for my taste, (and presumably the target audience.)

[Ms. P · Rating 5 out of 5]

An English boy returns to the home of his late Maasai father in Kenya, and learns what it means to be a Maasai Warrior with the help of his grandfather and cousin.

Topics: family, environmental conservation, coming of age, overcoming obstacles

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one with my class as our topic was Africa. Really enjoyed this fictional tale about the Maasai Mara tribe and the effects of poaching and conservation.

[Mrs Tara]

Amazing. Could not put it down

[Joris ISKL · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful adventure about identity, bravery and friendship.
Not only an exciting story, it also made me laugh out loud several times.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God. This book was just something else. I finished it in one day and I just couldn't put it down. Amazing writing, Virginia!

[Davit Koiava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was an excellent book because it had a big plot twist that switched the genre, but my only problem is that it took a long time to build suspense.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book action and hardship