The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon -- Starting October 21st 2016

[T.J.]

Subhi is a refugee. Born in an Australian permanent detention center after his mother and sister fled the violence of a distant homeland, Subhi has only ever known life behind the fences. But his world is far bigger than that—every night, the magical Night Sea from his mother's stories brings him gifts, the faraway whales sing to him, and the birds tell their stories. And as he grows, his imagination threatens to burst beyond the limits of his containment.
The most vivid story of all, however, is the one that arrives one night in the form of Jimmie—a scruffy, impatient girl who appears on the other side of the wire fence and brings with her a notebook written by the mother she lost. Unable to read it herself, she relies on Subhi to unravel her family's love songs and tragedies.
Subhi and Jimmie might both find comfort—and maybe even freedom—as their tales unfold. But not until each has been braver than ever before.

[T.J.]

Please join Elizabeth and me in this buddy read!

[Betwixt the]

YAY so excited!

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "YAY so excited!"
Me too! This has been getting some great reviews.

[Betwixt the]

Alright, I went ahead and started (and finished) this read!

Going to leave my notes below, though I stopped writing things down after the 39% mark--my goooooodness, this book broke me!

[Betwixt the]

(view spoiler)[First and foremost: that dedication is GORGEOUS and has immediately become my favorite dedication of all time!

Second, Disney-Hyperion has put out some amazeball reads this year. I'm SUPER excited to dive in to this one--I'm sure it'll be just as beautiful and boundary-pushing as the others I've read so far! (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

3%

(view spoiler)[ Okay, the descriptions of the food they're given? Stomach-churning. No wonder Subhi's mom isn't hungry often; I don't blame her. I wouldn't be, either. (hide spoiler)]

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6%

(view spoiler)[ I think the hardest part of this read is going to be knowing that this can--and does--happen. That people are out there living just like this today, with no options and no ways to change it themselves. (hide spoiler)]

EDITED:

(view spoiler)[Having finished, I know now that this detention center is based off those in Australia. I just... I cannot even... This book broke my heart. How can people be so cruel?! (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

7%

(view spoiler)[ I like Harvey so far. At least he tries to change things or make things better, in his own little way. I wish more people like him existed in the world. Maybe things could be different that way. (hide spoiler)]

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9%

(view spoiler)[ OH, perspective shift!

So who is Jimmie, and what role does she play in this story? (hide spoiler)]

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20%

(view spoiler)[ Jimmie's going to go into the fence, isn't she? Will be caught by the "Jackets" ? If she IS caught...what will they do with her? (hide spoiler)]

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36%

(view spoiler)[ LMAO I'm sorry, but the rubber duck is the snarkiest bath toy I've ever come across and his timing/delivery is SO spot on. I absolutely adore him. (hide spoiler)]

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39%

(view spoiler)[ I just... I don't understand how people can treat people like this. How do you grow so cold-hearted? So cruel? How do you go home to your families and your friends, knowing THIS is how you treat others behind metal fences? It just... it makes no sense to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

And my review, if you're interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[T.J.]

2%
I started this, but I was moved so much just reading the prologue and a bit of the first chapter... I wasn't sure I was ready to continue.
(view spoiler)[
Ten years in a detention center for refugees? Harsh. This topic is so pertinent right now here in Germany with the huge influx of refugees, mostly from war-torn Syria. I've heard so many awful stories of their escapes and travels to get to a safe country. But 10 years waiting in a detention camp? Subhi's entire life? It breaks my heart. And now it seems like Subhi's mother is sick. I will be absolutely heart broken if something happens to her. This is just so hard to swallow and I've just started.

My daughter is almost 10, so I can just picture her in this camp.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "First and foremost: that dedication is GORGEOUS and has immediately become my favorite dedication of all time!"

I actually neglected to read the dedication, so I went back and did that now. Oh, wow! Fantastic! Maybe that should motivate me to keep reading, despite the difficult subject matter...

Elizabeth wrote: "Second, Disney-Hyperion has put out some amazeball reads this year. I'm SUPER excited to dive in to this one--I'm sure it'll be just as beautiful and boundary-pushing as the others I've read so far! "

Totally agree! If I can get my act together, I'd love to buddy read some more with you! (I'm curious. Which were your favorite Disney-Hyperion this year?)

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "3% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, the descriptions of the food they're given? Stomach-churning. No wonder Subhi's mom isn't hungry often; I don't blame her. I wouldn't be, either."

I'm worried that Subhi's mother is seriously ill. She's probably been sacrificing her food portions for her children.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "6% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "I think the hardest part of this read is going to be knowing that this can--and does--happen. That people are out there living just like this today, with no options and no ways to change it themselves."

That's what's been so hard for me. I have a 9-year-old daughter who speaks Arabic and has been translating for the Syrian refugees in her school. We've often visited the refugee house in our town and we've learned a lot about their plights -- families being ripped apart, some members still back in their war-torn countries, others spread around the world and can't reunite. But this story -- 10 years in detention camp is absolutely horrible! Treating refugees like criminals is inexcusable!

(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "7% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "I like Harvey so far. At least he tries to change things or make things better, in his own little way. I wish more people like him existed in the world. Maybe things could be different that way."

I would have expected to find more like Harvey. These people are not criminals after all... :(.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "9% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "OH, perspective shift!

So who is Jimmie, and what role does she play in this story?"

At first I was relieved to have another perspective, but then learning that Jimmie tragically lost her mother at age 7 pulled at my heart strings as well... Had to take a little break from reading yet again...
(hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "First and foremost: that dedication is GORGEOUS and has immediately become my favorite dedication of all time!"

I actually neglected to read the dedication, so I went back and di..."

Oh boy. Some of my favorites have included:

--The Bone Sparrow (I gave it 5/5 Penguins!)
--
--

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "3% [spoilers removed]"
Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, the descriptions of the food they're given? Stomach-churning. No wonder Subhi's mom isn't hungry often; I don't blame her. I wouldn'..."

(view spoiler)[ That's a great guess, and was what I was guessing while reading actually! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "6% [spoilers removed]"
Elizabeth wrote: "I think the hardest part of this read is going to be knowing that this can--and does--happen. That people are out there living just like t..."

(view spoiler)[ Yes, I so so agree with you! I live in Wyoming so I don't think there are any refugee houses near me, but I live about 10 minutes away from an old Japanese Internment/Relocation Camp, and just... Ugh. The things people put other people through disgusts me. (hide spoiler)]

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TJ wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "9% [spoilers removed]"
Elizabeth wrote: "OH, perspective shift!

So who is Jimmie, and what role does she play in this story?"

At first I was relieved to have another perspective..."

(view spoiler)[ This is SUCH a heart-wrenching, difficult read--I don't blame you for needing to take some breathers here and there. You take care of you and read at a pace you're comfortable with! (hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

I'm still plugging along. This is an amazing story -- I just can't take too much at once. I am definitely the target audience here. I know little about Burma or its ethnic groups, but I care deeply about the plight of refugees worldwide (especially children) and desire (need) to know more.

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "36% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "LMAO I'm sorry, but the rubber duck is the snarkiest bath toy I've ever come across and his timing/delivery is SO spot on. I absolutely adore him."

I love Shakespeare Duck! He's sooooo funny. It shows how clever Subhi really is. I highlighted a bunch of brilliant rubber duck comments -- I'll have to dig them up and post them here! :D

...it's also nice to have a few moments of comic relief with such an intense story.

74%
"What would you know? You're just a stupid boy. In some countries in the world, ducks are kings, you know."

The duck says I'm the quackers one, sniffing at a napkin, but then he asks for a sniff, and we start up laughing.

(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "39% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "I just... I don't understand how people can treat people like this. How do you grow so cold-hearted? So cruel? How do you go home to your families and your friends, knowing THIS is how you treat others behind metal fences? It just... it makes no sense to me."

Seriously.

It seems like someone should be making publicity for these people and their fates. The jackets are the ones who know the most -- they should be stirring up publicity to get these people free.

(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "Oh boy. Some of my favorites have included:

--The Bone Sparrow (I gave it 5/5 Penguins!)
-- Holding Smoke by Elle Cosimano
-- The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass"

I loved Holding Smoke too. That was an exciting story with an original story line. Haven't read/finished the other two.

[T.J.]

Chapter 30 (86%)
(view spoiler)[
Well, this book brought me to tears... yet again! I suspected from the start that Eli wouldn't make it to freedom, but it breaks my heart! What an amazing kid -- so resourceful, so caring, so thoughtful, so brave.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Wow! That was a difficult read. But I'm glad I pushed through.

The Bone Sparrow was amazing -- tragic, heart-breaking, tear-jerking... yet hopeful, showing the power of friendship, family, love, story-telling, remembering...

I'm going to need some time to process this book.