BOY, EVERYWHERE
SYNOPSIS
Sami’s privileged life in Damascus is torn apart after a bomb attack on a shopping mall, which forces his family to leave his home in Syria, bound for England. He thinks it’s his fault, but is it? Will they survive the journey, can he trust his new friends – and will Sami ever find somewhere to call home again? From privilege to poverty, across countries and continents, locked up in a smuggler’s apartment, imprisoned and bullied at home in the UK, this is a coming-of-age story of friendship, family, belonging and fighting for a better future.
Boy, Everywhere, my upper middle grade novel was inspired by a news interview in which I saw refugees in muddy camps holding their smart phones, talking about what they’d left behind. Looking around my comfortable living room, I realised that it could easily have been me. Due to media coverage, many people assume that refugees are poor, uneducated and want to come here because they’d have a better life. If it weren’t for the war, most Syrians would never have left. This book challenges stereotypes and conveys the true lives of Damascenes. It shows the colour in contrast to the grey rubble and dust that has dominated TV footage for years. It is a universal story, in which my protagonist is an ordinary boy who loves cars, playing football and his PlayStation.
Published on October 22nd 2020.
Waterstones here
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Hive here
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WH Smith here
Book Depository here
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Letterbox Library with review here
BookwagonUK here
Through The Wardrobe Books here
Bookshop.org US Hardback here
Add it to Goodreads here
ONE OF THE GUARDIAN’S BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2020!
Also featured in BOOKS OF THE MONTH, CHILDREN’S BEST NEW NOVELS on publication:
“Carefully researched, wholly convincing, it’s a gripping, uncompromising debut, super-charged with the power of empathy.”
KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW
“One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.”
“…disrupts stereotypes while tugging at readers’ heartstrings… Compelling, informative, hopeful.”
ONE TO WATCH: ‘poignant and powerful… An impressive, thoughtful debut…’ THE BOOKSELLER – The UK’s definitive book industry magazine and website
BOOKRIOT’S BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2020!
“Essential reading for middle grade students and anyone hoping to gain insight into the plight of refugees.”
NATIONAL LITERARY TRUST’S 50 BOOKS EVERY CHILD SHOULD READ LIST
BOOKTRUST’S BEST KID’S BOOK OF 2020!
“I spend a lot of time talking to teachers and they are in awe of this book.” Chosen by award winning author Dan Freedman
CLPE’S BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2020!
“…powerfully strikes the balance between heartbreak and hope, staying with you well after you’ve finished reading.”
FEATURED IN BOOKTRUST’S OCTOBER REVIEWS
“Timely and honest, this is a story which every school should have in its library.“
Selected in @BookTrust’s NEW BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK WE LOVE feature!
And also featured and reviewed on the BookTrust website
And BookTrust made BOY, EVERYWHERE ‘Book of the Day’ on publication day 22nd October 2020!
FULL PAGE FEATURE IN BOOKTIME
Boy, Everywhere was given a full page feature in the Autumn 2020 edition of BOOKTIME, the free magazine in all UK independent bookshops.
You can read the magazine online or pick it up in store.
FOUR PAGE SPREAD IN PEN AND INC BOOKS
Pen and Inc Books, the magazine published by @CILIPinfo, the library and information association featured me and Boy, Everywhere over a four page spread in its Autum/Winter issue.
LOVEREADINGKIDS DEBUT OF THE MONTH
@lovereadingkids — ‘the biggest and best recommendation site for children’s books chose #BoyEverywhere as DEBUT OF THE MONTH! And then also STAFF PICK OF THE WEEK in October!
‘Written with a deep understanding and meticulous research into similar journeys this is a book that will not leave you for a very long time… Read this book – it’s needs to be in classrooms and on bookshelves everywhere – it will change you and stay with you.’
Read the full review here.
FIVE STAR REVIEW ON READING ZONE
ReadingZone which supports teachers and librarians in helping to grow children as readers gave Boy, Everywhere a five star review.
‘Boy, Everywhere is heartbreaking, beautiful, uplifting and devastating in equal measure and although it’s a work of fiction, it reads like a true account which is testament to the wonderful research and storytelling of A. M. Dassu. She chronicles the beauty and devastation, sights and sounds, friendships and relationships in stunning vivid detail, so much so that you honestly feel that you are living every moment alongside Sami.’
Read the full review here
JUST IMAGINE
Just Imagine, a consultancy that works extensively with schools in the UK and internationally to develop outstanding reading and writing in schools gave an outstanding review:
‘This is such an important and timely novel and deserves attention. A. M. Dassu gives voice to the refugee experience in a powerful story which respects the difficult decisions that every family seeking refuge has to make. Boy, Everywhere would make a good Read Aloud text in Year 5 or Year 6 or it could be used for guided reading as discussions around the experiences in the story would break down stereotypes and build empathy. It also belongs in every primary and secondary school library. There have been quite a few recent releases focusing on the refugee experience but this one stands out.’
Read the full review here
BOOK FOR KEEPS BOOK OF THE YEAR
Waterstones Shortlist
Kirkus Star
Best Book of 2020, BOOK RIOT
Featured in Amnesty’s books that inspire activism list:
“A fantastically well-researched and empathetic story that gives humanity and respect to those seeking sanctuary, busting a number of stereotypes about refugees along the way.”
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
As seen in…
Good Housekeeping Magazine
A. M. DASSU 