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Golden Boy (2013)

by Tara Sullivan(Favorite Author)

4.3 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0399161120 (ISBN13: 9780399161124)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin

review 1: This book was a real eye opener for me. Before reading the book I had never even known about how some albinos were being treated in Africa. I never even realized there was a problem. However, after reading the book I have learned so much and I believe that other people should read this book because, they will become even more aware about problems like this one, and will definitely be more aware of the world around them. Also many people can connect to the struggles of accepting yourself. This was about a character named Habo who is just like his family, except he is an albino. His blond hair, white skin, and blue eyes stick out like a sore thumb in his African village. His eyes shake, he gets easily burned, and his family hoard emotions of shame, anger, and fear towards hi... morem. But those are the least of his problems. When Habo and his family have to leave their small village, they end up in the more dangerous Africa. Habo's life is now threatened and through it all he has to learn to come to terms with who he is and the fact that he is not less of a person because of it. I would recommend this book to all readers, especially those who would like to learn more about the world and who are working to find themselves.
review 2: This is a stellar first book by the author. I loved it from the first page. 4 and 1/2 stars!! Maybe it's because I read two or three really poor novels before this, or maybe it's because I got to read this book all in one day-- but I believe that it is good literature. It is historical fiction since it is based on things that really do happen, but not to the people made up in the story. The characters are well developed and the reader can identify with them. The story took me to the the place and I spent the day in Tanzania. I grew to hate and be afraid of the villain. I was scared when he appeared on the page and I cried when things happened to our hero that were so painful and humiliating. This book deserves awards. I hope it gets them. ***stop here for spoilers*** Habo the thirteen year old boy tends goats in their little village. He overhears some men in suits tell mother that they must pay the rent or leave. So, in the night they pack all their belongings and walk to town and the bus station. They find that they have only half enough money to pay for their fare to her sister who lives in Mwanza. So they go half way and then start to walk across the Serengetti reserves with all it's wild animals. They are sleeping by the side of the road when a hunter picks them up in his jeep. It turns out that he is the worst type of villain, the kinds that makes your skin crawl. His name is Alasiri. He takes the boys on a 'hunt' with him and they see a dead elephant and witness the cutting of the ivory tusks. Later in the novel we find out that albino people are prized by the witch doctors for good luck Habo is an albino. this same Alasiri comes to kill Habo and sell him to the tribal leader for his body parts. He is worth a lot of money. Habo runs a away and is able to steal some money from his aunt, and take some food and clothes for his trip. He buys a train ticket to Dar Es Salaam which takes 40 hours. He is lucky enough to find a blind sculptor when he gets there. He is taken on as an apprentice. At first he is so glad that the man doesn't know that he is albino. He is given jobs and treated like any other person. When he finally finds out it doesn't change a thing. We learn from the blind man that Habo should accept his color and become a person, and quit hiding. He learns that he has a skill carving and the man teaches his more than just carving. They work together to capture the evil Alasiri who comes to the blind artist to carve ivory. The police arrest him and take him away to jail. Just then his sister finds him, and he is reunited with family. They call to let the rest of the family know all is well. Happy ending. It is a growing up book, but it is more. We learn being polite, obedient, thinking before we talk, and accepting our fate and dealing with it. Great story-- made for middle school!! 6-8 grades!! less

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