Boy In The Tower

I sometimes struggle to get into the world of a new book, but this text transported me instantly. I loved the world created by Ayo and could so easily see it. It was hard to believe this was written before the pandemic, as the themes feel so shaped by it. I found the exploration of mental heath really interesting. I felt the author portrayed the different way mental health can impact peolple as well as the different ways individuals may in return react to someones poor mental health (be it through stigma or understanding) was very impactful and importantly accessible to students. Words such as 'depression' or 'panic attacks' are never used but the experiences of them are described in clear, emotive ways, making them understandable to young readers. To make this book a 5, I think adding in a final chapter or piece at the end of the book which fleshed out what these 'experiences' were and given them names would be valuable for young readers - to help strengthen their undestanding, widen their vocabulary and hopefully reduce the stigma. Overall a great and gripping read. I would recommend to confident Y5 students who I felt wouldn't be too scared by the story and to all Y6 students.

AliceRBM

As someone who can sometimes struggle to get into the fictional worlds of books, I felt transported with this book. It is hard to believe it was written before the pandemic. I felt the themes around mental health were explored in really clever ways. Words such as 'depression' or 'panic attacks' are never used, but the experiences of them are described in a clear, emotive way, which I believe would make them understandable to young readers.

AliceRBM

Loved reading how the character's developing relationships with one another, in the strange situation that they find themselves in. Gripping and interesting - right to the end!

Mrs Bils

I struggled to get into this at the very beginning but I’m so glad I stuck with it. When Triffid like plants appear and begin eating the buildings around where he lives, Ade and best friend Gaia start to plot their trail of destruction as building after building crumbles to the ground. Then people start to die, others move away to escape and eventually Ade is left alone in his tower block with his agoraphobic mum who just can’t go out, overlooking what has become a flat ghost town. Slowly Ade realises that he’s not as alone as he thought, others have stayed behind too and an amazing multi generational friendship begins as they all learn to cope and survive trapped indoors. Filled with love, trust and determination, what for me started our slow became an absolute page turner of a book and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

SarahC39

Star Reviewer

This story is told from the viewpoint of a boy who is living in a tower amongst others which are falling down. The reader is taken on a journey with the young boy, who experiences many troubles and difficulties along the way as well as support from nearby neighbours. I enjoyed the suspense in this book and the mystery behind the falling towers. I would recommend this book for children aged 10 and above.

fjaconelli

Wow, what a read! I couldn't stop, I was hooked!! Definitely worth the 5 stars. I could picture the characters and the events unfolding as Ade's life was turned upside down when the buildings in his home town of London started mysteriously falling down. A spectacular read!

Pip3

This book was great, lots of amazing description and building tension.

georgialeeder98

This book is fantastic and I really enjoyed it! It’s all about Ade who lives in a tower block with his depressed mum. When there is a sort of apocalypse and plants start growing which kill people and destroy buildings, Ade is trapped in the tower and it’s only because of the other survivors (Obi and Dory) who are kind to him that he survives. This book is like nothing I’ve read before and I wasn’t expecting it to be so interesting. I read in two days because I couldn’t put it down!

[email protected]

Good fast paced story. Too scary or triggering for younger or more sensitive readers I wonder?

Miss Upton

This book is so different from anything I have ever read. I appreciated how it pulled in a child’s perspective on survival and supporting their parent who needed to be cared for. I connected strongly with Dory as I am similar to her. I was on edge the whole time; but found the pace of the book ideal for young readers particularly with all of the danger unfolding. Exceptional debut x

Lisa_Reads_89

This was a great book which felt very relatable in terms of the characters. I particularly liked the mum character as she highlighted the mental health issues which are a high priority in today's society.

[email protected]

I told my class that I had no idea where this story was leading but I was utterly intrigued and compelled to grab reading time wherever and whenever I could! After reading the opening in one of our Reading Fluency sessions, I was desperate to know more about the Bluchers and I wasn't disappointed. A dystopian/sci-fi feel with characters I really came to care about. Top drawer!

BookNerd

Interesting and original. I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down!

motherease

Enjoyed this book from start to finish. Even though it was written long before there is definite links to be made in things that have happened in recent years. Ending was quite quick but it left you feeling satisfied without more questions.

Jess_r1994

I read this dystopian novel to my Year 6 class as a class reader and they were gripped from start to finish! It is an amazing example of how to write suspense well and there is a great complementary English unit for it for UKS2 from HfL.

Larnett

An excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I fact I couldn't put it down. Please read it.

Historystone

Another great children’s book. Gripping and quite heart wrenching. Dory was my favourite character as she made Ade feel so comfortable and kept him well fed when his mum wasn’t well. The friendship between ade and Gaia was lovely. Friendship seems to be the centre of all books I read.

rpage

It took me a while to get into this book but the ending took me by surprise. This is a thought provoking book.

Kazgrat

A really interesting book. Very atmospheric themes- mysterious plants reminded me of trifids! While it has a sci-fi theme, the book tackles lots of other themes too. The book explores issues of mental health from the perspective of a child, friendship, fear and belonging. The pace of the story changes to adapt to what is happening in the outside world and has a monologue feel. Can be a hard read in places as feels quite desperate but great for prediction and suspense!

twest