Fly Me Home by Polly Ho-Yen

Fly Me Home Reviews

• 
  Robin Stevens

  Polly just keeps on writing amazing books. This is the story of Leelu, who comes to London from a country far away and has to learn how to live there. There's a sprinkle of magic, of course, but at it's heart this is a wonderful immigrant story about a girl trying to find her home. 8+
  
  *Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
• 
  Amy (Golden Books Girl)

  Ho-Yen`s debut Boy in the Tower is one of my favourite books of all time, and Fly Me Home came very close to being just as good. Fly Me Home enchanted me from the first page with the tale of Leelu, a girl coming to London from abroad and finds it difficult to settle in, until she finds magical objects and meets some rather special friends. The book is a real mix of the magical realism element and real, contemporary issues, and also touches on immigration and the meaning of home. Every single character in this book, good or bad or in between, is superbly written and I loved Leelu and her brother Tiber, who also faces some issues when arriving in England, especially. The prose, imagery and writing style is completely gorgeous, and the ending was perfect (I was in tears). I have a feeling my copy of Fly Me Home may become just as treasured as Boy in the Tower in years to come. If you haven`t discovered Polly Ho-Yen`s lyrical, magical and utterly unique novels yet I can`t recommend them enough.
• 
  Koumal

  A children’s book in its own league.
  
  I’m grateful for the honest portrayal of dark themes throughout the story.
• 
  Katy Kelly

  A timely story of the immigration experience, with a little magic thrown in
  
  Leelu has moved to grey, cold London from her warm home country, with her mum and brother, leaving a much-loved father behind. Struggling to adapt to the new environment, she starts to receive gifts in a tree near her new flat. She doesn't know where from, but it does seem that they possess special powers...
  
  A story of learning to fit in, of family, Leelu's story is sad and uplifting, and a rather unusual look at immigration from the point of view of a young girl living through it.
  
  I particularly liked certain scenes - Leelu's first day at school for example, a scene that will hit home with any young person whose experienced a new school. Personally, I found the 'magical item' storyline a little unnecessary and out of place, it felt like a Boo Radley (To Kill a Mockingbird) storyline until the 'magical realism' element kicked in. I wasn't sure I understood how it all ended for the character in question.
  
  Some excitement with Leelu's elder brother will keep KS3 readers interested and it makes the story relevant and accessible to a wider readership.
  
  I adored 'Boy in Tower', more of a sci-fi for a slightly younger audience. Ho-Yen is adept at choosing protagonists who are outsiders or with issues that make them stand out, connecting with readers.
  
  One for ages 10-14.
• 
  Stephen Connor

  I love Polly's writing style. She builds this magical realism into her stories which I love in other authors too (Almond and Murakami, for example).
  
  In this story, Leelu is afraid - she is new to the country, new to her school, and as such struggles to find her voice. Through the help of her friend Betsy, her growing relationship with her brother Tiber, and the 'wonders' that are left by Bo, she grows.
  
  Bo is an interesting character. He's an oddball with a big heart, and teaches Leelu how to become more. He reminded me a little bit of Skellig - not in his mannerisms, but more because of the impact he has.
  
  Another lovely read from an author who thinks a little differently.
• 
  Christina Reid

  Polly Ho-Yen is just amazing at creating characters who wriggle their way into your heart and under your skin, making you care about their relationships and what will happen to them. I love the pervasive warmth in this book, even as Leelu faces the challenges of fitting in to a new country and a new school as her family unravels around her. The magic hidden inside natural objects gives her something to hold onto and creates a sense of wonder which contrasts with the grey, bleakness of their new home. Magical realism done well. Recommended!
• 
  Hannah

  What I love about Polly's writing is that she never gives away all the details and makes the reader think for themselves. I'm constantly trying to figure out these details for myself. Where have they come from? Ok so it's one hour ahead of the UK, that could be... How old is Leelu? She's 5 years younger than Tiber so I'm guessing... It can be a little infuriating but equally it definitely adds a little something, something to the book. Interestingly, in one of the essays by Polly about why she wrote this book, she mentions that she never tells us where the family comes from so that the reader can bring their own experiences to the story.
  
  The book itself was good but not great, in my opinion. After reading The Boy in the Tower I was a huge Polly fan (and still am!) but this book was incomparable. There were moments when I was very invested in the storyline but other times when I didn't feel like there was much to it. Overall, it was an enjoyable read but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to others. The Boy in the Tower on the other hand... read it!!
  
  I find Polly's writing very easy to read and that is why I will go out of my way to read her other work. Polly uses a great range of vocabulary, sentence structures, swanky punctuation and has come up with some cracking metaphors/similes that I often have to read twice just to appreciate the creativity.
  
  I am looking forward to reading her first adult's book, Dark Lullaby, which is expected in March.
• 
  saskia

  I read this book in around 3 days which is very fast for me. I think it was because of how the author wrote the book, it made it more interesting and painted a picture in my mind. The story is really lovely and I recommend it! :)
• 
  Jenny Jones

  This is a heart-felt book about a young girl (Leelu) and her family as they struggle to settle in the UK after leaving their home Country (and their beloved Father) behind. Throw in some magic and some issues with an older brother finding his own difficult way through the upheaval and you have a very satisfying, thoughtful read for 9-12 year olds. What makes this book stand out for me though are the scenes set in the classroom and the playground when Leelu is so bewildered by being in a completely new situation and is totally overwhelmed. You feel those difficult scenes so clearly with her that I'm sure that anyone reading them would really build up their empathy for anyone else that they met or saw who was going through a similar thing or would identify with it if they had gone through it themselves. Polly Ho-Yen's own experience of teaching in an inner-London Primary School and caring about the children that she taught and the lives that they live really shines through in this book which is what makes it so special.
• 
  Zoe

  A story of hope and learning about resilience, about how hard it is to start afresh when you move to a new place, and how the need to belong can sometimes drive people to do things they might not otherwise do. At the heart of this is a charming friendship between two immigrant children, perhaps my favourite aspect of the book. Touching on an important and unusual theme - human rights activists outside the western world, and how such people often risk everything for standing up for what they believe in, also exploring how hard it can be to live at the margins of society, where just holding down a job, because of everything else that is going on in people's lives, is considerable achievement. A good book for building empathy. Lots to love and explore, but one thing I found jarring was the wisdom and eloquence of the narrator - I'm guessing she is around 9 or 10 years old in the book, but her voice was much older and wiser and this at times made for a slight disconnect.
• 
  Camilla Chester

  Can't tell you how much I loved this story, but I will try.
  The mix of magic and reality was wonderful and exactly how I felt as a girl. When you look at small pieces of moss, and beautiful leaves so intricate and delicate they ARE things of wonder with hidden magical powers.
  Loved the friendship she built up with her Columbian neighbour.
  Loved the way she grew in inner strength.
  Loved all the description and the love she has for her dad, so far away.
  Loved the quirky man trying to get home and his huge, hairy dog.
  Loved the kids at school, battling with their own confusing emotions.
  Loved the big brother, trying to fit in and do right by his family all at the same time.
  Loved the hippy teacher.
  Just loved it.
  It's quirky and different yet unbelievably familiar.
  Read it - I did in one glorious go!
• 
  Emily

  Another amazing and emotional book from Polly! I love the fact that she doesn't shy away from difficult topics and knows that children want to be told the truth, although it doesn't hurt to add a little sprinkle of magic to the mix!
• 
  Ms Kirby

  This was a lovely read about a lonely little girl who comes to England and finds it very strange. It is a tale of magic and friendships. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
• 
  Justine Laismith

  This book starts with Leelu having to leave her father behind, while she journeys to foreign lands with her mother and brother. It doesn't explain why he cannot come with them. I found this incredibly distracting. I was unable to get into the story as a result of this.
  
  Not knowing why they had to leave and why her father was left behind, I looked hard for clues in the story. The problems they face settling into a new country is not dissimilar to refugee stories like
  The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle. The activities her mother and brother get up to make me uneasy. However, the girl she befriends from next door is like a ray of sunshine into the rest of the dark and sinister book.
  
  I could not quite get my head round the other neighbour with a dog. On one hand he gives the impression he has a hoarding issue. On the other hand, he seems to offer hope and something magical like
  Skellig.
  
  Overall, this book has some hope and bright moments, but the overwhelming uncomfortable feeling dominated me throughout. Maybe you could argue this is effective writing, but I could not enjoy this book. 1.5*
• 
  Kaye

  This is a book that had passed by. But picking it up to read, I had a fairly open mind but slotted it.into my refugee/migrant group for UKS2.
  
  And so it proved to be. But it was so much more than that. Contemporary But with an air of magic or mystery that softened Leelus experiences for the younger reader. When the hard realities underlying the family's plight needed to be explained it was done gently but clearly.
  
  The cover needs time. Lots of I wonder opportunities lie with it... and the first couple of chapters. We never learn where.Leelu and her family have come from. ....or where they are (until several.chapters into the book, unless you have read the blurb on the back cover)
  
  It would be interesting to get a class , and adults to identify the key themes underlying the story. I suspect adults and children would have different understandings. It's a book that raised a lot of questions and wondering for me. But it was well written in a quite simple, straightforward way. I'm not sure about the ending everything seemed to suddenly stop. Another opportunity to explore this with children who could write alternative endings
• 
  Bev

  In my opinion Leelu's struggles with being in a new country and missing her dad was the best part of this book. Particularly the scenes in school where she felt out of place and scared were incredibly well written. And I loved her friendship with the refugee girl from next door. It provided a lovely spark of joy in an otherwise fairly dark book. The touch of magical realism was fun but I felt a little uncomfortable about her friendship with Bo - the old man neighbour. Obviously he ultimately turned out to be fine but I would have preferred if maybe her mum had met him first and he had become established as a trusted adult before Leelu went into his house. Maybe that's me looking at it's from too much of an adult perspective but I would not want my child thinking it's okay to go off with random adults! 3.5 stars rounded up.
• 
  Hannah Foley

  We came across Polly Ho-Yen through some book blogger recommendations. My eldest is very sensitive about what she reads. Polly's books have been great for stretching the boundaries of what she's prepared to read without overwhelming her with the grittiness of life. The context and background of Polly's stories is usually pretty tough but they are so magical and gentle that even this sensitive soul can enjoy them.
• 
  Woff

  As an adult it bothers me when authors avoid naming countries, but I suspect I would have appreciated it at the age of the intended audience. At least it certainly wouldn’t have bothered me.
  
  I, too, was a foreigner at an English school at a similar age (albeit briefly, thankfully). Leelu sitting in the corner trying not to cry brought back a number of unpleasant memories. Oof, being a child is awful!
• 
  Libby

  Heartfelt and amazing, the writing style blew me away. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. The plot twists and hidden themes/secrets are clear within the story, and I love the message of new beginnings and finding your place within your environment. I recommend this to all ages, but more 11+
• 
  Ava reads!

  THIS IS THE BEST BOOK THAT I HAVE EVER READ. It is very fast paced and great to get you out of a reading slump. it carry’s such a great message and is beautifully written. i think everyone should read this book, no matter who u are, or what age.
• 
  Daisy Leather

  So... I cried.
• 
  GMT Books

  Love anything by this author,
• 
  Betty

  An absolutely amazing book!
• 
  annus

  The most splendid read
• 
  Lucas

  Leelu has just moved to London with her mother and her brother Tiber.
  
  The rest of my review can be found here:
  https://bit.ly/2rwBfzt
• 
  White Eskimo

  อ่านตอนที่จิตใจเดียวดายไม่มีเพื่อนนี่มันสุดๆเลยนะ ไม่คิดว่าหนังสือเด็กจะทำให้เรามีมุมคิดบางอย่างได้แม้มันจะไม่เกิดการพังทลายของอารมณ์ก็ตาม