Boy 87
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Books |
Boy 87 (also known as Refugee 87) is a modern novel by Ele Fountain that explores the refugee crisis. It was published by Pushkin Children's Books in the UK and under the title Refugee 87 by Little Brown in the US. The author composed the book while residing in Ethiopia.
Plot summary
The narrative centers on Shif, an intelligent boy living under an unnamed dictatorship, who is preparing to enter early military school after advancing through grades rapidly. When soldiers begin selecting boys for compulsory military service, Shif discovers that his father, previously believed to be deceased, is actually imprisoned.
Facing increasing government scrutiny, Shif’s mother insists he escape alone. However, when soldiers find his packed belongings, Shif and his friend Bini are arrested and taken to a prison where political detainees are confined inside cargo containers under brutal conditions. There, they encounter Yonas, an older inmate who shares a plan to help young prisoners like them escape and hints that Shif’s father might still be alive.
Shif manages to flee during the escape attempt, but Bini is caught. Resolute, Shif travels northward toward the Mediterranean Sea, aiming to reach Italy and reunite with his family.
Characters
Shif (Shiferwa Gebreselassie): The central character, a bright boy whose father—an educator advocating for better wages against the regime—is missing. His closest companion is Bini. Shif also has a younger sister named Lemlem and a devoted mother who conceals information about his father’s situation.
Bini: Shif’s trusted friend, possibly even more intelligent. His mother’s name is Saba.
Yonas: An elder prisoner who assists Shif and Bini with their escape effort.
Lemlem: Shif’s little sister who enjoys vibrant colors.
Almaz: A new acquaintance from Shif’s homeland whom he meets after fleeing. Her family includes her mother Shewit, father Mesfin, and a brother taken by military forces.
Reception
Kirkus Reviews characterized Boy 87 as "a gripping debut novel about greed and love influencing a refugee's destiny," while BookTrust described it as "a relevant and significant work shedding light on refugee experiences."
Additional praise came from Publishers Weekly, which highlighted Shif’s "direct and empathetic narrative voice," along with positive critiques from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, The Sunday Times, and The Guardian, emphasizing its suspense, emotional depth, and themes of fear, sorrow, and optimism.
Awards
Boy 87 has earned several British literary honors, including winning the 2019 Southwark Book Award, the 2019 Portsmouth Book Award Longer Novel category, the 2019 Sheffield Children's Book Award Longer Novel category, and the 2019 Sefton Super Reads Award. It was shortlisted for accolades such as the 2019 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for older readers, the 2018 Northeast Book Award, the 2019 Teach Primary Key Stage 2 Book Award, the 2019 Warwickshire Secondary Book Award, and the 2019 North Herts Schools’ Book Award (Younger category). Additionally, it appeared on longlists for the 2019 Redbridge Children's Teenage Book Award and the 2019 UKLA (Ages 7–11) Book Award.