Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman

Boy Overboard Reviews

• 
  Amy

  Maybe I've read this book at least a dozen times before.
  And maybe my copy is coming unglued from the spine from the number of times I've read it and the number of times I've flipped to the title page to see the authors signature and dedication ('G'day Amy!')
  And maybe it's written for 8-10 year olds.
  And maybe it's primary purpose is to explain to children the horrifying plight of asylum seekers, and attempt to humanise an issue that xenophobic assholes spend all their efforts dehumanising.
  And maybe the main character is absolutely fixated on soccer, to an annoying extent, as a way of making a child from Afghanistan relatable and real, rather than just 'the other'.
  
  But damn, this book definitely made me cry. Again.
  
  The Australian government insists on taking more and more disgusting measures to avoid fulfilling their legal and moral obligation to house and accept asylum seekers. But I know that if all 10 year olds read this book, our next generation will not make the same mistakes.
• 
  Lauren

  We had to also read this for school. I honestly thought it was extremely boring. WHy do we have to study it in year seven when we were all reading it back in grade 4????
• 
  maria x

  Morris Gleitzman is so awesome!!
  
  I loved Boy Overboard!!
  4.5 stars
• 
  Genna

  This book holds a special place in my heart, as I read it when I was a child and it was the first book I’d ever come across about refugees. I’d never known much about refugees and as a 7 year old Australian kid this book helped me connect in a way that has shaped my beliefs since then and influence the adult I am now. Definitely holding onto it so I can pass it on to the younger people in my family.
• 
  Natalie M

  2021 re-read...I still find this a wonderful book for YA. Highlight how truly lucky some of us are to have what we have and where we get to enjoy life!
  
  (2020 re-read):
  It is amazing how reading a book at a different time or a different stage in life or for another reason, you see and feel completely taken by aspects not seen the first time around.
  
  An incredible read for YA’s in regards to what life is like for those less fortunate. A hint of humour, a glimpse of life as a refugee and a bucket-load of empathy.
  
  (Original review;)
  An enlightening read. The experience of an Afghan refugee family as they flee their home land. Definitely a good one for teenagers - a great way to see life through the eyes of a child.
• 
  Olivia

  Had to read this in Year 8 English. I remembered we all called it 'Boy OverBORED'
  I personally didn't like this book and found it quite boring. Even my English teacher did...
• 
  Kathi

  I had to read this book for a book project we are doing at university. Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman tells the story of Jamal and Bibi. Both dream of being football stars, but living in Afghanistan makes this impossible. At some point, their parents decided to flee to Australia and a wild journey begins for the family.
  
  This is one of the few books that I actually liked reading even though I HAD to read them for university. I had to stop reading at several points in the book because I just could not cope to read further. Even though this book is fiction, there is some reality behind it. Many people and families go through this experience of fleeing their home country because of war or other devastating happenings. This book is a more child-like writing with this topic. It makes the story readable for all ages. The story made my heart ache several times.
  
  I think this is a good book for children. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. I can't wait to plan activities for this reading.
• 
  Margaret

  In typical Gleitzman style, the issue of refugees and Australia's immigration policies is dealt with so that young readers gain a good understanding of the situation.
• 
  Catherine

  A really good book for Grade 5/6 students. The soccer aspect caught their attention and the themes of refugees get them thinking. My students loved it and are excited to read the next one.
  I enjoyed the book too. There was so much heartbreak and it got me thinking about what we as Australians can do and the experiences that refugees have had to get here.
• 
  Talia

  WOW just wow
• 
  Watermelon Daisy

  
  
  Boy Overboard was a story I had to read in English.
  
  Truthfully, I loved the idea of the story. A family breaking all the rules –things that in Australia we do everyday– and have to run for survival. It seemed like such a wonderful plot. And honestly, I did like how Jamal and Bibi used soccer as a sort of escape from their horrible lifestyle.
  
  However, the writing style just ruined it all. No commas, just short sentences. I found myself having to read some sentences over again, because since the length doesn’t vary, my eyes can’t adjust to the book.
  
  Overall, this is a story to read if you have amazing eye-sight/don’t mind short, off-beat sentences.
• 
  Jayne Pixton

  I hated this book so much.. I had to read it for school and almost fell asleep every time it was english.. one of the worst books i have read in my life
• 
  #AlJesus

  SHIT!!!
• 
  Sarah Waters

  So many great discussion points and in our current climate would be a great novel to read to spark a discussion on refugees.
• 
  Clarissa

  3.5
• 
  Renee Rose

  I remember this book being read to me when I was 12 years old, and loving it so much. It's obviously for much younger audiences than what I am now, but such a great book.
• 
  Nohaila Bouaouad

  This book got me into reading
• 
  Vanessa

  love it!
• 
  The Teacher's Library

  This is the third time I've read this book. The second time aloud, but the first time to a grade 4 class.
  
  They were obsessed - we flew through this and there were so many incredible discussions that arose from it!
• 
  Shaema Samia Imam

  So sad, not sure if I would want my 11 year old to read it... yet. Even though kids go through this and worse. Some of the lines are so shocking because kids still think like kids even in the midst of these challenges. Important to read for anyone working with refugee kids.
• 
  Ellie Brown

  I forgot just how good this actually was.
• 
  Shane

  A fantastic book that has been so relevant for Australian audiences ever since it was published. It contains a great story line, fantastic characters in Jamal & Bibi, excitement, humour, sadness and relevant issues for readers to think about.
  
  It is a great way to interest reluctant readers, as well as raise the issues of societal freedoms, how lucky we are in Australia, the plight of asylum seekers and the impact of our policy decisions.
  
  I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I think it is Gleitzman's best, along with 'Once'. Every child (and adult) should read it. (Unfortunately, I can't recommend the sequel, 'Girl Underground' quite so highly. It is OK, but takes a long while to get going, with my class losing interest before getting to the good bits).
  
  ps - get this edition...this cover is SO much better than the other ones I have seen!
• 
  Sarah

  I did not enjoy this book.
  I understand what the author is trying to do but I personally do not agree with it.
  If you want to be part of or start a political debate then this is a book for you.
  I read this as my Grade 7 boy had to read it for English so to help him with his assignment I thought the best way would be for me to read the book. So I read it. Basically written and easy to read for its designed aged group. I read it in an hour.
  I understand the refugees flight, I understand that as an Australian I am very lucky. However I do not agree this should be a Grade 7 text and that children should be lead to believe that the Australian Government has no heart because of the stance it has taken with illegal immigrants.
  Everyone will have a varying opinions and a stance on this.