The Soup Movement

by Ben Davis

To aid his recovery from a life-threatening illness, Jordan and his family move out of the city for a healthy new start. Jordan's getting enough funny looks as the new boy at school as it is, without his Mum giving him homemade soup every day for lunch! But when Ethan meets a homeless man called Harry, and gives him the soup, it is the start of an unlikely friendship.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Family, Childrens

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Seher Andaç · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Çorba dayanışmasına hoş geldiniz. Bir çorbadan fazlası.”
Fazlası kalbinize koyduğu kocaman bir yıldız 🌟
Kocaman bir gülümseme 😊
Sıcacık bir kucaklama ❤️
….
Anlatılan hikaye, karakter oluşumları, kurgu ve akış dört dörtlüktü. Eline kalem alıp yazmak isteyenlere hararetle tavsiye ediyorum.

[Rhea Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it's not the sort of thing I usually read but I couldn't put it down once I started. I felt all the young characters were reasonably realistic, especially the scenarios about friendships drifting apart and not knowing what to say to each other (but your family doesn't know), and keeping secrets from your family about things that easy to explain but are private even though you're a child (nightmares, bullies, promises, love).

From being ill as a child (though nowhere near as seriously as cancer) I think the depiction of losing friends, and people not knowing how to speak to you anymore was very good; and equally the way meeting someone who just understands because they've been in a similar situation feels (the friend on the cancer ward, the bully).

My only gripe is the cover says this book is based on a true story, which made me feel more emotional while I was reading it; however when I googled the story afterwards the only part that is based in reality is someone delivering soup to the homeless from a bicycle - which is a lovely story but is really only a small part of this book, I thought some of the characters and other events might be real so I felt quite cheated.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading fairly slowly at the moment (back at work = more time in a bookstore, less time for books) and when we received an ARC of this and I had a little read of the blurb, I decided to give it a go and have raced through it on my bus journeys this week. Inspired by the true story of the Oxford soup peddler (a story which I was vaguely aware of as I studied there) this is a really heartwarming story exploring homelessness, cancer and the idea of small gestures creating a big impact on those around us. Ben tackles what might be difficult and new subjects for kids in a really tactful way and injects humour in all the right places. A really nice read - will be recommending this in the shop in the future!

[Gülten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hikaye 13 yaşındaki Jordan'ın kanser tedavisi görmesi ve ardından ailesiyle birlikte şehirden uzağa taşınmasıyla başlıyor. Hastanede oda arkadaşı olan dünya tatlısı Rio ile "iyilik yapma"oyunu oynamaya başlıyorlar. Çorba Dayanışması da bu oyunun vardığı yer bir anlamda.

Bu bir çocuk kitabı. Ben Davis tarafından yazılmış. Bu kitabı okurken ağlamaktan gözlerim şişti diyebilirim, müthiş çocuk kitapları var. Ben Davis ne yazsa okurum bundan sonra.

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final words sum this book up: "Welcome to The Soup Movement. It's more than just soup."

Ben Davis has gifted a marvellous contribution to children's literature. He writes about difficult topics in such a palatable way for children where they are able to understand and empathise.

Every school should be made aware of this book and every child should have the opportunity to read it. Kudos, Ben!

[Martha Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe how good this book was is was so warm hearting definitely recommend this book

[Sophie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan has moved from a big city to a smaller town. His sister is not happy with the move but as Jordan is now cancer-free the family wants to start afresh. However, as Jordan settles in he stumbles across Harry, who is homeless, and starts sharing his mother's soup with him. This action soon grows into a movement. At the heart of this action is a bigger story concerning Jordan and his past.

Things I liked:
- Loved the message of mitzvahs and giving back. Spread that positivity.
- The characters. They all felt tangible.
- I liked how the flashbacks were integrated into the narrative.

Things I didn't like:
- Things always worked out. I know that sounds like a strange thing to be annoyed about but sometimes the book felt contrived as nothing went badly. People listened on social media, the homeless rallied around Jordan, Jordan's school was on board, the police were on their side... the list goes on. I know in middle grade you don't want doom and gloom but without it, the book felt too in favour of the protagonist.
- The slight supernatural twist at the end didn't do it for me. Felt out of place.

This is a great read for school years 5-8. It has the perfect blend of emotive storytelling, intrigue, and humour. I really like Davis's writing style as it's very enjoyable to read. This book is about giving back and I think that is a very important message to learn, especially for young readers.

[Emily Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly outstanding, completely phenomenal! A beautiful tale of friendship, resilience and mitzvah’s. This story is so much more then what the blurb gives away, you’ll find no spoilers here. Jordan’s one small act of kindness results in huge change. An emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end, and one I found hard to put down!

[Laura Rubia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to give it 4/4.5 stars because I'm kind of picky when it comes to giving a 5 stars rating. Hoewever, the end really moved and even made me tear up a little bit so I couldn't but give 5 big fat stars. Emotional and full of empathy. Perfect for this christmassy season but relevant and important all year long!

[Cortney Westhoff-O'Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up recently and read as a bedtime story for the whole family. Wow! We were all moved by the good, solid qualities of the young characters. There should be more books like this- feel good from start to end. Will pick up the author's other book, as it's bound to be as good as this one. A really winner!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic story. I know that children will be interested in the two stories woven together, particularly as one feels quite relatable (getting to grips with a new school/ experiences of social media and connectivity) and the other feels distant but empathisable. I was tantalised by the story with Rio, which picked at me as someone who loved someone with cancer. The messages within the story are deep and powerful and it's told with a humourous tongue. I loved it.

[Simon Packham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. It touches on homelessness and childhood cancer and made me cry several times. But what I liked best were the characters (particularly Rio and Abi) who are very skilfully drawn and the jokes. (And the bit at the award ceremony where Dad is fawning over an ex pro footballer - that would be me)

[mishall ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars :)
[read for school]

why was this actually so good?? i wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as i did. so heartwarming and incredibly emotional at times, with a beautiful message. an amazing middle-grade book <3

[Laura Geater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan is on a mission to keep a promise and help people but it’s difficult when you have so much going on personally too.

I really enjoyed this book! A wonderful array of characters and sensitive subjects dealt with a kind hand.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely one of the best books I've read! Another corker from Ben Davis

Moving, funny and so well told that you'll slurp this up in an instant.

"It's more than just soup"

[Paula Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant! So many different issues and topics addressed in this beautiful story. I will be using this in school.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really moving, lovely story. Made me laugh and made me tear up.

[EckSchLibn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this story of how kindness can be infectious.

[Louise Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book. x

[Lexie Mathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utter perfection. I will be making sure this is in my school library and flagged for so many positive reasons.

[Cerys Lakin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sad yet heartwarming book, it covered many everyday topics (illness, mental illness, homelessness and mourning) I really enjoyed it and found it quite easy to read!!

[Shelley Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was bloody emotional!!!! An amazing book with such an amazing storyline. Loved it but omg I cried through the last 50 pages or so!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read, its heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time in words I can't explain! Everyone should read it!

[Louise Forshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! Heartbreaking and heart-warming too with a beautiful message.

[Suzanne Bhargava · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesson in kindness. Such a lovely story, one to make you weep…

[R S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by my son, an enjoyable and easy read, with a strong message

[Carolyn Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just brilliant, funny and tender and heart-breaking.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry. Sooooo good.

[Agent_bugs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even knowing what would probably happen at the end of the backstory chapters didn't prepare me for how raw it was once I finally got there. A great book.