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Owen and the Soldier
A crumbling stone soldier sits on a bench in the park. Only Owen understands how important he is. At home, Owen and his mum are struggling and there's nobody he can talk to. Hidden away in the park, Owen feels free to be himself. When the war-weary soldier is listening, his worries slip away. But nobody else cares about the soldier, and the town council want to tear him down. Owen's the only one who can save him but can he find the courage to speak up before it's too late?
A touching story of loss and remembrance from Lisa Thompson, the award-winning author of The Goldfish Boy.
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
A touching story of loss and remembrance from Lisa Thompson, the award-winning author of The Goldfish Boy.
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Audiobook
First published June 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
May 22, 2020
Mooi kort verhaal over Owen en zijn nieuwste vriend, de soldaat. Herdenken staat centraal in het boek, maar ook vriendschap speelt een rol.
April 28, 2019
So much feeling in so few pages - a book that I dare you to read without tears in your eyes!
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
February 28, 2020
Ik denk dat ik dit boek meer sterren had gegeven als ik hiervoor nog niks van deze schrijfster had gelezen. Nu voelt dit boek alsof ze een one trick pony is: eenzaam jongetje dat de hulp van een quirky iemand nodig heeft.
Dat neemt niet weg dat kinderen dit boek absoluut zullen waarderen, er hun boekbespreking over zullen willen doen en ervan zullen leren. Ik ben erg blij met Lisa Thompson.
Dat neemt niet weg dat kinderen dit boek absoluut zullen waarderen, er hun boekbespreking over zullen willen doen en ervan zullen leren. Ik ben erg blij met Lisa Thompson.
November 1, 2020
I didn't realise such a short book could pack such a punch!
This is a middle grade short story yet it still managed to make me really sad yet warmed my heart at the same time as well.
This book deals really well with the themes of mental health particularly depression and anxiety.
It also deals with parent loss in a very sensitive way.
This book really broke my heart but the ending was incredibly heart warming.
This is a book I would 100% want my children to read, its incredibly important.
TW: parent loss, depression and anxiety
This is a middle grade short story yet it still managed to make me really sad yet warmed my heart at the same time as well.
This book deals really well with the themes of mental health particularly depression and anxiety.
It also deals with parent loss in a very sensitive way.
This book really broke my heart but the ending was incredibly heart warming.
This is a book I would 100% want my children to read, its incredibly important.
TW: parent loss, depression and anxiety
November 6, 2022
Awesome read.
Owen is not having a ggood time at home or at school.
At home, he has to take care of himself as his mother cannot even take care of herself at the moment. And his dad has been gone for two years now.
At school, he prefer to be left alone. No one talk to him and he doesn‘t like to speak up.
So when he take anothr route to walk to school and found a status of young solider, he started to talk to the status. He cleaned birth poo from the status and sit down on the bench next to the status and started talking.
So when his classmate told him that they are going to trash the status and put some rubbish cross there instead, he wrote email and try to stop it,
The story is about how a boy survive with one parent disappeared from his young life. It is really good as it is so causally introducing a very difficult topic.
Owen is not having a ggood time at home or at school.
At home, he has to take care of himself as his mother cannot even take care of herself at the moment. And his dad has been gone for two years now.
At school, he prefer to be left alone. No one talk to him and he doesn‘t like to speak up.
So when he take anothr route to walk to school and found a status of young solider, he started to talk to the status. He cleaned birth poo from the status and sit down on the bench next to the status and started talking.
So when his classmate told him that they are going to trash the status and put some rubbish cross there instead, he wrote email and try to stop it,
The story is about how a boy survive with one parent disappeared from his young life. It is really good as it is so causally introducing a very difficult topic.
October 23, 2020
Mijn 100e boek (voor de allereerste keer!) en ook nog eens een luisterboek dat je gratis kunt downloaden. Bijvoorbeeld via Luisterrijk en Libris. Tip.
Rustig opgebouwd verhaal met makkelijk taalgebruik, maar langzaam trekt het verhaal je helemaal mee. Mooi verhaal over herdenken en Owen krijgt een plaatsje in de gallerij van hoofdpersonen die een plekje in in mijn hart hebben verdiend.
Rustig opgebouwd verhaal met makkelijk taalgebruik, maar langzaam trekt het verhaal je helemaal mee. Mooi verhaal over herdenken en Owen krijgt een plaatsje in de gallerij van hoofdpersonen die een plekje in in mijn hart hebben verdiend.
October 23, 2022
Wat een prachtig verhaal. Het staat dicht bij de belevingswereld van kinderen. Een verhaal om bij stil te staan, en samen te bespreken. Op veel vlakken herkenbaar en hierdoor geeft het inzicht en handvatten voor het echte leven.
May 10, 2020
Luister naar dit boek, of haal dit boek voor een lage prijs in huis, want het is een ontroerend en prachtig verhaal over herdenken.
February 20, 2025
A sweet story about a boy struggling with grief and loss. Then he meets the crumbling statue who changes everything
January 25, 2021
Owen staat er alleen voor. Zijn vader, een beroepsmilitair, heeft hij aan het front verloren. Zijn moeder is daardoor in een depressie geraakt. Steun vindt hij bij een standbeeld van een zittende soldaat in een plantsoen op weg van huis naar zijn school. Bij de soldaat is er een stenen plaquette waarop de namen van 25 gevallen soldaten vermeld staat. Owen komt elke dag een praatje met de soldaat. Maar dan komt hij achter de renovatie plannen van de stad. En in die plannen komt de Soldaat niet voor.
Wat Owen dan laat zien is een knap staaltje ballen! Hij overwint zijn eigen angst om men het belang van herdenken te doen inzien.
Mooi boekje wat helemaal in lijn van 4 mei past! Het zou een mooi boek zijn om klassikaal te behandelen in de bovenbouw!
Wat Owen dan laat zien is een knap staaltje ballen! Hij overwint zijn eigen angst om men het belang van herdenken te doen inzien.
Mooi boekje wat helemaal in lijn van 4 mei past! Het zou een mooi boek zijn om klassikaal te behandelen in de bovenbouw!
July 18, 2021
With mental health issues, particularly grief, underlying this story, the main narrative of Thompson’s book focuses on Owen, a young boy who wants to save the stone soldier in his nearby park. Touching on difficulties in both Owen’s home and school life, this book subtly brings to children’s attention the affects that loss can have on both young people and adults. Whilst keeping its poignancy, Thompson also encourages children to face their fears but also reach out for help when they really need it.
A truly captivating novel, Thompson’s book is perfect for those in years 3 and 4 and even beyond. As the book builds up to a crescendo, children will want to keep turning the pages of ‘Owen and the Soldier’. This encourage more reluctant readers to want to finish this novel making it perfect for all the class, especially around Remembrance Sunday.
A truly captivating novel, Thompson’s book is perfect for those in years 3 and 4 and even beyond. As the book builds up to a crescendo, children will want to keep turning the pages of ‘Owen and the Soldier’. This encourage more reluctant readers to want to finish this novel making it perfect for all the class, especially around Remembrance Sunday.
July 23, 2020
This is a lovely story about how Owen deals with the loss of his father and gets help for himself and his mum. Owen’s mum really struggles after the death of his father and Owen ends up doing everything for both of them before asking his friends mum to help. Owen is very quiet at school but faces his fear of speaking aloud to help save a solder statue in the memorial garden. This is a beautiful story of determination, love and family which could be read in lower KS2 or upper KS2 depending on the individuals in the class. The style and level of complexity of the story points towards this book being aimed at year 4/5 children however Owen is on secondary school which seems a bit strange but is not overall obvious so could still be relatable and enjoyed by much younger children.
May 29, 2020
Ik werd helemaal overdonderd door de pracht van dit boekje. Zo mooi geschreven en met zo'n krachtige boodschap! Lisa Thompson heeft zichzelf weer overtroffen en ditmaal met de universele boodschap dat herdenken belangrijk is en dat we onze vrijheid moeten koesteren. Het gedicht van hoofdpersonage Owen laat je een traantje wegpinken: zo puur en pakkend. Een absolute aanrader voor iedereen van 10 jaar en ouder.
March 10, 2021
Very emotional and heart warming book. A little bit of loss and grief, a lot of bravery and hope.
My 8 yo loved the story.
My 8 yo loved the story.
October 26, 2022
Ik hou van zulke verhalen. Erg mooi en indrukwekkend.
October 29, 2023
Audio.
What a lovely story. Good for kids to listen to, to hear the impact they can have if they try.
What a lovely story. Good for kids to listen to, to hear the impact they can have if they try.
May 17, 2020
Beautiful moving story about loss, remembrance and hope.
March 9, 2020
Owens moeder huilt, zorgt niet langer en het huis ruikt muf. Ze is de laatste twee jaar zichzelf niet en Owen vindt na schooltijd steeds vaker een luisterend oor bij de stenen soldaat in het park, symbool voor een ieder die ooit moest vechten.
Klasgenoot Megan, die net als Owen een gedicht moet voordragen bij de opening van de nieuwe schoolbibliotheek, vertelt dat bij de herinrichtingsplannen van het park het beeld van de soldaat zal verdwijnen. Wanneer Owen verneemt dat mevrouw Banks van de gemeente hierbij aanwezig zal zijn, durft hij tóch een gedicht te laten horen. Dat hij opdraagt aan zijn vader - en de stenen soldaat, die moet blijven.
Lisa Thompson, schrijfster van De 'Goudvisjongen', 'De Nachtlantaarn' en 'De dag dat ik verdween', schetst in haar herkenbare stijl zonder omhaal of sentiment een korte periode uit het leven van een jongen die na zijn vader ook zijn moeder dreigt te verliezen, én dan nog de stenen soldaat. Tot hij van zich durft te laten horen - en de juiste mensen zich om hem bekommeren.
Verschijnt maart 2020 als 'Owen en de soldaat' bin uitgeverij Billy Bones (Meis en Maas).
Klasgenoot Megan, die net als Owen een gedicht moet voordragen bij de opening van de nieuwe schoolbibliotheek, vertelt dat bij de herinrichtingsplannen van het park het beeld van de soldaat zal verdwijnen. Wanneer Owen verneemt dat mevrouw Banks van de gemeente hierbij aanwezig zal zijn, durft hij tóch een gedicht te laten horen. Dat hij opdraagt aan zijn vader - en de stenen soldaat, die moet blijven.
Lisa Thompson, schrijfster van De 'Goudvisjongen', 'De Nachtlantaarn' en 'De dag dat ik verdween', schetst in haar herkenbare stijl zonder omhaal of sentiment een korte periode uit het leven van een jongen die na zijn vader ook zijn moeder dreigt te verliezen, én dan nog de stenen soldaat. Tot hij van zich durft te laten horen - en de juiste mensen zich om hem bekommeren.
Verschijnt maart 2020 als 'Owen en de soldaat' bin uitgeverij Billy Bones (Meis en Maas).
July 11, 2019
This is a sweet, simple and very touching tale. Poignant and powerful. Lovely.
May 8, 2019
I knew I'd have to have the tissues ready for this one.
Lisa Thompson is one of the most talented writers in children's fiction today, and she has a knack for crafting stories that, whilst they cover complex or hard-hitting topics, are delivered in a way that's accessible and completely unputdownable. The Goldfish Boy is one that for the past two years now I haven't shut up about, and I look forward to every new book by Lisa. So, I was pretty excited to see that a new novella was coming out this year with Barrington Stoke, and even more excited when I was offered a copy for review!
Barrington Stoke have really upped their game in recent years with a steady stream of dyslexia friendly titles from some of the leading authors in children's and young adult fiction. However, this year just seems to be on a whole new level! I'm very excited about several of their upcoming books, but the first one to really get my heart racing was this one - Owen and the Soldier.
Owen and the Soldier is a really heartwarming and touching tale that I think everyone will love, and there are so many messages and characters that will resonate with different people. For something so small, it's full of so much, and what I love about this novella is that it is so accessible to everyone. Lisa is the perfect author to work with Barrington Stoke, and I love that her storytelling is being brought to a new audience as well as adding to the collection of beloved favourites that came before it.
Lisa Thompson is one of the most talented writers in children's fiction today, and she has a knack for crafting stories that, whilst they cover complex or hard-hitting topics, are delivered in a way that's accessible and completely unputdownable. The Goldfish Boy is one that for the past two years now I haven't shut up about, and I look forward to every new book by Lisa. So, I was pretty excited to see that a new novella was coming out this year with Barrington Stoke, and even more excited when I was offered a copy for review!
Barrington Stoke have really upped their game in recent years with a steady stream of dyslexia friendly titles from some of the leading authors in children's and young adult fiction. However, this year just seems to be on a whole new level! I'm very excited about several of their upcoming books, but the first one to really get my heart racing was this one - Owen and the Soldier.
Owen and the Soldier is a really heartwarming and touching tale that I think everyone will love, and there are so many messages and characters that will resonate with different people. For something so small, it's full of so much, and what I love about this novella is that it is so accessible to everyone. Lisa is the perfect author to work with Barrington Stoke, and I love that her storytelling is being brought to a new audience as well as adding to the collection of beloved favourites that came before it.
May 3, 2019
A beautiful story about an unhappy boy finding his voice - the end had me weeping. (8+)
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. If you use it in any marketing material, online or anywhere on a published book without asking permission from me first, I will ask you to remove that use immediately. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. If you use it in any marketing material, online or anywhere on a published book without asking permission from me first, I will ask you to remove that use immediately. Thank you!*
December 18, 2024
Samenleesboek groep 8 lezen is herlezen
April 19, 2022
This book was purchased three months ago, and it arrived two months from the date I purchased it. Hehe, because it's from Book Depo, so there's a long wait. It is a short story so I was able to finish it in one sitting. This is a fascinating read. The book's cover, the simple storyline, and the way it was written by the author all piqued my interest, especially since I had previously read Lisa Thompson's book, titled The Light Jar. Lisa's books are actually for children, and this is due to her writing style, which has its own unique quality and originality in conveying a message to the reader.
Owen and the Soldier is a story about a 10-year-old boy with an introverted personality. He was a good student, especially in art and English classes, so a teacher named Mr. Jennings chose Owen to write poetry and present it on the official opening day of their school's library. But, because Owen is a quiet person who dislikes communicating with others, he refuses to do it once he was told. Nonetheless, one thing swayed his perception. Every day, before and after school, Owen would stop at a memorial park, which contains many plaques with the names of soldiers who died during World War II. There are also a bench and statue of soldier in a sitting position as if someone sitting and raising his chin in the park. Owen sat next to the military statue and talked about his day at school and at home. foOwen lives with his mother after his father, a soldier did not return home after serving in Syria for two years ago.
Mrs. Owen is a photographer who was previously overworked. However, after her husband failed to return home, she stopped working and avoiding seeing anybody.
Spoiler alert: Owen's father had died two years before while serving in the Syrian war. After the incident, things changed, especially for Owen's mother. Owen is also distracted by the fact that he is a quiet child and no longer wishes to socialize.
Megan, Owen's classmate, frequently observes him and one day walks to school with him. Owen is taken aback when Megan informs him that the memorial park will be demolished and rebuilt, including a statue of a soldier who sits on a bench next to Owen every day. Megan feels sympathy and pity for Owen because she knows how much time Owen spends there. Megan knows about this because her mother works in the council office that oversees the removal of the memorial park. Since then, Owen has emailed the council, requesting that the park not be removed. Owen decided to write a poem and present it on the day of the official opening of his school library after knowing that the council chairman would be there. He reasoned that by doing so, he might be able to persuade the council chairman to cancel the project.
Instead, something even more happened.
Owen and his mother were invited to the grand opening of the new memorial park after it had been renovated. Owen was initially depressed and reluctant to leave. When he arrived, the park was crowded with people. Owen waited until the crowds dispersed before entering, and how excited he was to see that the statue of the soldier he frequently sat with had been renewed. There will be no more moss or breaking pieces. Owen was overjoyed because the soldier statue meant so much to him.
After reading this story, I felt something profound. It's a story that will stay with anyone who has ever felt emotional stress after the loss of a loved one. The author also teaches that with the proper effort and intention, we can change our lives for the better. While the pain that should be felt remains, there is a bit of a heart feeling to move on and start accepting reality with an open and sincere heart. I was very touched from this and ALL Lisa's novel that I read before. And yet, I give this 5 out of 5 stars.
Owen and the Soldier is a story about a 10-year-old boy with an introverted personality. He was a good student, especially in art and English classes, so a teacher named Mr. Jennings chose Owen to write poetry and present it on the official opening day of their school's library. But, because Owen is a quiet person who dislikes communicating with others, he refuses to do it once he was told. Nonetheless, one thing swayed his perception. Every day, before and after school, Owen would stop at a memorial park, which contains many plaques with the names of soldiers who died during World War II. There are also a bench and statue of soldier in a sitting position as if someone sitting and raising his chin in the park. Owen sat next to the military statue and talked about his day at school and at home. foOwen lives with his mother after his father, a soldier did not return home after serving in Syria for two years ago.
Mrs. Owen is a photographer who was previously overworked. However, after her husband failed to return home, she stopped working and avoiding seeing anybody.
Spoiler alert: Owen's father had died two years before while serving in the Syrian war. After the incident, things changed, especially for Owen's mother. Owen is also distracted by the fact that he is a quiet child and no longer wishes to socialize.
Megan, Owen's classmate, frequently observes him and one day walks to school with him. Owen is taken aback when Megan informs him that the memorial park will be demolished and rebuilt, including a statue of a soldier who sits on a bench next to Owen every day. Megan feels sympathy and pity for Owen because she knows how much time Owen spends there. Megan knows about this because her mother works in the council office that oversees the removal of the memorial park. Since then, Owen has emailed the council, requesting that the park not be removed. Owen decided to write a poem and present it on the day of the official opening of his school library after knowing that the council chairman would be there. He reasoned that by doing so, he might be able to persuade the council chairman to cancel the project.
Instead, something even more happened.
Owen and his mother were invited to the grand opening of the new memorial park after it had been renovated. Owen was initially depressed and reluctant to leave. When he arrived, the park was crowded with people. Owen waited until the crowds dispersed before entering, and how excited he was to see that the statue of the soldier he frequently sat with had been renewed. There will be no more moss or breaking pieces. Owen was overjoyed because the soldier statue meant so much to him.
After reading this story, I felt something profound. It's a story that will stay with anyone who has ever felt emotional stress after the loss of a loved one. The author also teaches that with the proper effort and intention, we can change our lives for the better. While the pain that should be felt remains, there is a bit of a heart feeling to move on and start accepting reality with an open and sincere heart. I was very touched from this and ALL Lisa's novel that I read before. And yet, I give this 5 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
(Deze recensie verscheen eerder in de Militaire Courant.)
Op weg naar school loopt Owen door een park waarin een herdenkingsplantsoen is ingericht. Het standbeeld van een stenen soldaat op een bankje daar wordt een vriend voor hem. De Britse auteur Lisa Thompson laat in 'Owen en de soldaat' de kracht van herdenken zien.
Owen zit in de brugklas en gaat graag naar school. Elke dag komt hij door een park waar een herdenkingshoek is ingericht en ziet hij een stenen soldaat op de bank. Als hij een keer vogelpoep van het hoofd haalt, valt het Owen op dat het beeld net een echt mens lijkt. ’Hij maakte op mij niet zo’n heldhaftige indruk – hij zag er eerder uit als een doodgewone man die had moeten gaan vechten.’
Zo komt het dat Owen op een dag plaatsneemt op de bank en tegen de soldaat begint te kletsen.
Al snel in het verhaal blijkt dat Owens vader hem vroeger naar het park meenam en hem vertelde over oorlog, de mannen uit hun stad die moesten vechten en het symbolische standbeeld. Nu leeft zijn vader niet meer, gesneuveld tijdens een uitzending naar Syrië. Owens moeder ligt depressief op de bank met ’ogen die even uitdrukkingsloos blijven als die van de stenen soldaat’. Deze gebeurtenissen en het afhouden van hulp maken dat Owen zich eenzaam voelt. In het standbeeld vindt hij een luisterend oor.
Dan bereikt hem het nieuws dat de gemeente reden ziet om het oude, afbrokkelende beeld te laten verwijderen. Owen vindt dit natuurlijk erg teleurstellend: na zijn vader verloren te hebben en ook bijna zijn moeder, zou de soldaat ook nog weggaan? De gelegenheid om zijn mening aan de betreffende gemeenteraadsleden te laten horen dient zich aan. Op school wordt een nieuwe schoolbibliotheek geopend en Owen wordt gevraagd een gedicht te schrijven. Eigenlijk vindt hij het doodeng, maar hij doet alsof hij dapper is zoals een soldaat ook zou doen.
'Owen en de soldaat' is door het niet te moeilijke taalgebruik goed te lezen voor kinderen vanaf tien jaar. Het boek kan worden ingezet in een situatie waarin een kind zijn ouder door militaire omstandigheden verliest. Thompson nodigt je achterin uit om net als Owen een gedicht te schrijven, over iets heel eenvoudigs dat in je leven gebeurt. ‘Mijn vader werd uitgezonden, / en liet ons achter, heel alleen. / Hij hoort me niet meer lachen, / zoals de soldaat van steen.’
Lisa Thompson heeft met 'Owen en de soldaat' een prachtig klein verhaal geschreven over eenzaamheid, maar ook over verbondenheid tussen mensen. Haar debuutroman 'De goudvisjongen' werd goed ontvangen en ik hoop dat de wereld dit verhaal ook omarmt.
Op weg naar school loopt Owen door een park waarin een herdenkingsplantsoen is ingericht. Het standbeeld van een stenen soldaat op een bankje daar wordt een vriend voor hem. De Britse auteur Lisa Thompson laat in 'Owen en de soldaat' de kracht van herdenken zien.
Owen zit in de brugklas en gaat graag naar school. Elke dag komt hij door een park waar een herdenkingshoek is ingericht en ziet hij een stenen soldaat op de bank. Als hij een keer vogelpoep van het hoofd haalt, valt het Owen op dat het beeld net een echt mens lijkt. ’Hij maakte op mij niet zo’n heldhaftige indruk – hij zag er eerder uit als een doodgewone man die had moeten gaan vechten.’
Zo komt het dat Owen op een dag plaatsneemt op de bank en tegen de soldaat begint te kletsen.
Al snel in het verhaal blijkt dat Owens vader hem vroeger naar het park meenam en hem vertelde over oorlog, de mannen uit hun stad die moesten vechten en het symbolische standbeeld. Nu leeft zijn vader niet meer, gesneuveld tijdens een uitzending naar Syrië. Owens moeder ligt depressief op de bank met ’ogen die even uitdrukkingsloos blijven als die van de stenen soldaat’. Deze gebeurtenissen en het afhouden van hulp maken dat Owen zich eenzaam voelt. In het standbeeld vindt hij een luisterend oor.
Dan bereikt hem het nieuws dat de gemeente reden ziet om het oude, afbrokkelende beeld te laten verwijderen. Owen vindt dit natuurlijk erg teleurstellend: na zijn vader verloren te hebben en ook bijna zijn moeder, zou de soldaat ook nog weggaan? De gelegenheid om zijn mening aan de betreffende gemeenteraadsleden te laten horen dient zich aan. Op school wordt een nieuwe schoolbibliotheek geopend en Owen wordt gevraagd een gedicht te schrijven. Eigenlijk vindt hij het doodeng, maar hij doet alsof hij dapper is zoals een soldaat ook zou doen.
'Owen en de soldaat' is door het niet te moeilijke taalgebruik goed te lezen voor kinderen vanaf tien jaar. Het boek kan worden ingezet in een situatie waarin een kind zijn ouder door militaire omstandigheden verliest. Thompson nodigt je achterin uit om net als Owen een gedicht te schrijven, over iets heel eenvoudigs dat in je leven gebeurt. ‘Mijn vader werd uitgezonden, / en liet ons achter, heel alleen. / Hij hoort me niet meer lachen, / zoals de soldaat van steen.’
Lisa Thompson heeft met 'Owen en de soldaat' een prachtig klein verhaal geschreven over eenzaamheid, maar ook over verbondenheid tussen mensen. Haar debuutroman 'De goudvisjongen' werd goed ontvangen en ik hoop dat de wereld dit verhaal ook omarmt.
May 4, 2020
Gelezen: Owen en de Soldaat (9+) 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Als Lisa Thompson iets nieuws schrijft dan moet ik dat lezen. Punt. En er is geen beter moment om Owen en de Soldaat vandaag te lezen.
Owen heeft een geheim. Dat geheim zit op een bankje in het openbare park op weg naar school. Owen is in zichzelf gekeerd en praat met bijna niemand maar tegen de stenen soldaat die op dat bankje zit wel. Maar dan komt hij te weten wat de gemeente met de soldaat wil doen…
Vorig jaar ontdekte ik Lisa haar boeken en ik vind ze geweldig. Dit boekje, want dat is het met maar 95 pagina’s, is daarin geen uitzondering. Ondanks dat er maar weinig woorden in staan weet ze zoveel te vertellen. In korte tijd weet ze je van alles te vertellen over Owen. Over zijn belevingswereld, zijn gevoelens en zijn problemen. Er is tussen de regels zoveel te lezen.
Het gedicht wat Owen schrijft is simpel. Maar het raakt me. Ik heb enorm met Owen te doen en het maakt zo goed duidelijk dat herdenken belangrijk is. Het stil staan bij dat wat ooit gebeurde kan je doen, maar dat is voor mij uiteindelijk heel abstract. Wat weet ik nou van oorlog… Dit boek laat zo mooi zien dat je vandaag, ook al ben je nog maar 10, een hele hoop te herdenken kan hebben.
Er staat 9+, maar volgens mij kan je dit meer dan prima eerder lezen. De letters zijn lekker groot en Lisa schrijft toegankelijk en fris. Voorlezen is altijd een goed idee!
En trouwens… Billy Bones heeft Owen en de Soldaat ook als luisterboek uitgegeven. Gratis en voor niks! Bijvoorbeeld te vinden op Soundcloud https://tinyurl.com/Owenendesoldaat
Gewoon luisteren dus.
Uitgeverij: @uitgeverijbillybones
Als Lisa Thompson iets nieuws schrijft dan moet ik dat lezen. Punt. En er is geen beter moment om Owen en de Soldaat vandaag te lezen.
Owen heeft een geheim. Dat geheim zit op een bankje in het openbare park op weg naar school. Owen is in zichzelf gekeerd en praat met bijna niemand maar tegen de stenen soldaat die op dat bankje zit wel. Maar dan komt hij te weten wat de gemeente met de soldaat wil doen…
Vorig jaar ontdekte ik Lisa haar boeken en ik vind ze geweldig. Dit boekje, want dat is het met maar 95 pagina’s, is daarin geen uitzondering. Ondanks dat er maar weinig woorden in staan weet ze zoveel te vertellen. In korte tijd weet ze je van alles te vertellen over Owen. Over zijn belevingswereld, zijn gevoelens en zijn problemen. Er is tussen de regels zoveel te lezen.
Het gedicht wat Owen schrijft is simpel. Maar het raakt me. Ik heb enorm met Owen te doen en het maakt zo goed duidelijk dat herdenken belangrijk is. Het stil staan bij dat wat ooit gebeurde kan je doen, maar dat is voor mij uiteindelijk heel abstract. Wat weet ik nou van oorlog… Dit boek laat zo mooi zien dat je vandaag, ook al ben je nog maar 10, een hele hoop te herdenken kan hebben.
Er staat 9+, maar volgens mij kan je dit meer dan prima eerder lezen. De letters zijn lekker groot en Lisa schrijft toegankelijk en fris. Voorlezen is altijd een goed idee!
En trouwens… Billy Bones heeft Owen en de Soldaat ook als luisterboek uitgegeven. Gratis en voor niks! Bijvoorbeeld te vinden op Soundcloud https://tinyurl.com/Owenendesoldaat
Gewoon luisteren dus.
Uitgeverij: @uitgeverijbillybones
October 7, 2022
I frequently say that you can tell a book by the cover. Usually I mean that in a bad way: Awful, usually self-published books have awful, unprofessional covers. However in this case, the cover of this book also tells you everything you need to know about the story... in a good way.
The art on it is so simple, no? Almost childish? The story was as well, but in a wonderful way. The main character (Owen) was a 100% believable kid. The story set in the real world, his father was killed in a war overseas. His mother couldn't cope with the loss and fell into depression so deep she couldn't even take care of Owen anymore. Owen slowly made friends with a mostly forgotten statue of a soldier in the park.
The statue was just a statue, nothing magical or mythical. It didn't talk. It was made of stone, but old enough that it was crumbling in places.
Owen was such a good kid in such a rough situation (his mother wasn't a bad mother at all, she was just so depressed that she couldn't even feed him or herself). Owen's pain and loss actually made me cry at one point, the fact that a child would connect with a statue instead of being able to connect to the people around him.
The one and only issue I have with this book was that it's so short. It took me maybe an hour to read. While I wish it had taken me a lot longer, it was the perfect length the story needed to be, so I really can't complain.
The art on it is so simple, no? Almost childish? The story was as well, but in a wonderful way. The main character (Owen) was a 100% believable kid. The story set in the real world, his father was killed in a war overseas. His mother couldn't cope with the loss and fell into depression so deep she couldn't even take care of Owen anymore. Owen slowly made friends with a mostly forgotten statue of a soldier in the park.
The statue was just a statue, nothing magical or mythical. It didn't talk. It was made of stone, but old enough that it was crumbling in places.
Owen was such a good kid in such a rough situation (his mother wasn't a bad mother at all, she was just so depressed that she couldn't even feed him or herself). Owen's pain and loss actually made me cry at one point, the fact that a child would connect with a statue instead of being able to connect to the people around him.
The one and only issue I have with this book was that it's so short. It took me maybe an hour to read. While I wish it had taken me a lot longer, it was the perfect length the story needed to be, so I really can't complain.
Read
August 11, 2021Owen and the soldier is one of those books with such important themes running through it that it. Once you have read it, its content will stay with you for a long time.
Owen talks to a stone soldier in the memorial garden on his way to and from school every day.
The solder is disintegrating and the council is planning to remove him from the memorial garden. The soldier means much more to Owen than being a simple statue. He is a confidante, a person to who he can show his stunt tricks to and he is a father figure of sorts.
Owen's father fought in Syria and he did not return home. The cataclysmic fallout from this is Owen's mum is depressed, has given up being a photographer, and Owen is left to fend for himself on his mums 'down days.'
Owen dislikes English lessons but his teacher believes in his ability and asks him to read a poem at the new opening of the school library. Owen refuses until he realises that this may be a way to save his soldier.
The book is incredibly well written and I loved that it was on yellow-tinted paper which Barrington Stoke (the publisher)m has purposefully used as it helps readers with dyslexia. The text is simple but emotive and it may possibly appeal to reluctant readers.
It is truly a wonderful book with themes of remembrance, loss, mental health issues and love.
Owen talks to a stone soldier in the memorial garden on his way to and from school every day.
The solder is disintegrating and the council is planning to remove him from the memorial garden. The soldier means much more to Owen than being a simple statue. He is a confidante, a person to who he can show his stunt tricks to and he is a father figure of sorts.
Owen's father fought in Syria and he did not return home. The cataclysmic fallout from this is Owen's mum is depressed, has given up being a photographer, and Owen is left to fend for himself on his mums 'down days.'
Owen dislikes English lessons but his teacher believes in his ability and asks him to read a poem at the new opening of the school library. Owen refuses until he realises that this may be a way to save his soldier.
The book is incredibly well written and I loved that it was on yellow-tinted paper which Barrington Stoke (the publisher)m has purposefully used as it helps readers with dyslexia. The text is simple but emotive and it may possibly appeal to reluctant readers.
It is truly a wonderful book with themes of remembrance, loss, mental health issues and love.
November 18, 2021
It's been a good few months since I cried at a book but Lisa Thompson managed it once again.
I love this story. Honestly everything about it.
I'm not a massive fan of historical fiction, and I have opinions about war that usually cause some clashes with people, which often makes war-related media a struggle for me to get into or enjoy. But this one hits the mark perfectly for me.
It discusses quite a few heavy topics (grief, mental health, anxiety...) in such a short space of time, but so expertly, exactly as I've come to expect from Thompson.
Owen's poem was the tear-creating kicker, and from then to the end it was a blur of pages.
I would highly recommend.
It was also another accessible, easy read, from Barrington Stoke, with slightly yellowed pages and their signature dyslexia friendly font. They are very quickly becoming my go to for shorter reads that I would feel confident in giving to children for independent reading (either as initial chapter books for eager younger readers, or as accessible choices for older reluctant readers). Every one has had such a good, well rounded story and meaning, something which I find most other shorter chapter books are missing.
I love this story. Honestly everything about it.
I'm not a massive fan of historical fiction, and I have opinions about war that usually cause some clashes with people, which often makes war-related media a struggle for me to get into or enjoy. But this one hits the mark perfectly for me.
It discusses quite a few heavy topics (grief, mental health, anxiety...) in such a short space of time, but so expertly, exactly as I've come to expect from Thompson.
Owen's poem was the tear-creating kicker, and from then to the end it was a blur of pages.
I would highly recommend.
It was also another accessible, easy read, from Barrington Stoke, with slightly yellowed pages and their signature dyslexia friendly font. They are very quickly becoming my go to for shorter reads that I would feel confident in giving to children for independent reading (either as initial chapter books for eager younger readers, or as accessible choices for older reluctant readers). Every one has had such a good, well rounded story and meaning, something which I find most other shorter chapter books are missing.
August 11, 2021
Owen is a boy with a lot on his plate. His father has died, he was a soldier, and his mum is struggling to cope. Owen seems to have become the carer and he doesn't know how to ask for help.
One day Owen goes into the Memorial garden in the park and cleans bird poo off the stone soldier that sits on the bench. Owen continues to sit with the soldier talking daily which seems to help him. A girl from school tells him that the council are getting rid of it, he knows it is tatty but surely that's not right.
Owen writes to the council and the local paper but the matter already seems set. Unless...he decides that he can write a poem for the new library opening because the head of the council will be there. Can his poem change things for the stone soldier or is it too late? Can he reach out to mum's friend to get them the help they need at home?
This book deals with sadness in a child friendly way. It is gentle yet shows the strength that you need to overcome.
One day Owen goes into the Memorial garden in the park and cleans bird poo off the stone soldier that sits on the bench. Owen continues to sit with the soldier talking daily which seems to help him. A girl from school tells him that the council are getting rid of it, he knows it is tatty but surely that's not right.
Owen writes to the council and the local paper but the matter already seems set. Unless...he decides that he can write a poem for the new library opening because the head of the council will be there. Can his poem change things for the stone soldier or is it too late? Can he reach out to mum's friend to get them the help they need at home?
This book deals with sadness in a child friendly way. It is gentle yet shows the strength that you need to overcome.
May 11, 2019
I`ve enjoyed all of Lisa Thompson`s books to date, and this novella also met the really high standards I`ve come to expect from her. It focuses on a boy named Owen, whose mum is suffering from mental health issues, as he attempts to save the war memorial in the local park, which he has a rather unique and really special attachment to. Owen was, in true Lisa Thompson, a brilliant main character. I adored him instantly, and I desperately wanted things to improve for him during this as he goes through a lot, as well as for him to save the soldier. The way he goes about it was so gripping to follow along with too, particularly as I felt so invested in the outcome. The absolutely beautiful ending made me cry, and I`m already looking forward to whichever story Lisa Thompson tells next. Owen and the Soldier may be short, but it certainly packs an emotional punch. 4.5/5
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