Hello guys. In this article, I will be reviewing a book called Boy Overboard, which is written by world-renowned author, Mortis Gleizman. This book was published in 2002 and is the first of a two-book series, the other book being Girl Underground.
Jamal and Bibi are just two normal siblings. They live with their parents, argue a lot, and are very competitive. They are also very skilled at soccer and are equipped with various skills and techniques. One day they want to represent Afghanistan in the world cup and show the government that they should not enforce these bad laws. However, they live in Afghanistan, a place full of war violence, landmines, and making women stay at home. People are allowed zero education as boys are supposed to join the Taliban and girls are supposed to stay at home. Despite the various risks, Jamal’s mother and Father decide to open a school for their kids and other children. However, news breaks out and soon, they are forced to leave the country or get killed. Jamal cannot believe it. But he has to go. However, on the ship, they are separated from their parents, and face pirates and various problems just to get to Australia.
The main characters in this book are Jamal and Bibi, who are quite unlike each other. While Jamal is quiet, shy, and usually likes to keep to himself, Bibi is a boisterous girl, who gets into all sorts of trouble, expresses her feelings all the time and whose favorite word is “camel poop”. Together these two navigate life on a boat.
This book brilliantly captures an asylum seeker’s hardship-not only through the sea, but leaving your friends that you have known for so long, and settling into a new country. This is also a heartwarming book about love, courage, and working together. I would recommend this book for 10-12-year-olds and would rate this book a 4/5. You can also check out the book review of the sequel, Girl Underground.