Alem is a refugee from Ethiopia. His parents are both Eritrean and Ethiopian. Alem then escapes to England from a violent civil war in Badme, which at the time of the novel (2000/1999), was disputed to be either in Ethiopia or in Eritrea. In 1991, 14-year-old Alem and his father are in the capital of Eritrea, his mother's home country. When Alem is ten years old, he and his family move to Harar in Ethiopia, his father's country. In Ethiopia, his father gets a better job within the postal service, but Alem's mother loses her job because the Ethiopian workers say they are "at war with Eritrea, so they will not work with someone from Eritrea." Alem's father is then told by his co-workers that he must leave his wife because she is Eritrean and therefore "the enemy". The mother was held at point blank before pushed on the bus. I think Benjamin Zephaniah is a great writer. He has obviously listened to people in Alem’s shoes and he’s a deep thinker and he’s done the research and you can feel that he is so inspired.

I really enjoyed ‘Refugee Boy’ I found it a fascinating and thought provoking novel. This book mentions problems such as racism, war, violence and murder. Organise a Fundraising Event: Collaborate with your classmates to hold a fundraising event in your school to support organisations aiding refugees. Present your plans and ideas to the local community to increase awareness. Alem thought it was wonderful." I really wanted to read that part of the book to you, because this story is about acceptance, for Alem to be accepted as part of Britain but in that particular section, Alem gets accepted by his foster sister, Ruth. And from that moment onwards, their relationship does blossom. So this book might seem like a serious readChapter 5 is very important to the story because it shows Alem and no mater where he is aggression follows him. I felt this chapter have really emotional attach to it. Many characters are introduced in this chapter because some of the characters encouraged Alem to become a stronger person and some of the characters are shown to bully him so he can show his strength to stand up for himself. In this chapter it showed the position of each character. He learns to make a judgment on other characters. This chapter is very important because it shows how the system works and it's the beginning of all the struggles for Alem for e.g. living independently, getting bullied etc.

Chapter 11: Alem is informed of the date of his appeal hearing. It will be early in the New Year. He continues to work hard at school the rest of the term. He spends his Christmas money on a bike. So Alem is excited to spend a holiday in London with his father – until he wakes up to find him gone. What seems like a betrayal is in fact an act of love, but now Alem is alone in a strange country, and he must forge his own path... How do you think being a young refugee, like Alem, differs from the experience of an adult refugee? Chapter 16: Alem and Robert enjoy their bike ride however Alem’s bike is stolen on his way home. Unexpectedly, Mr Kelo comes to see him. He and Alem go out for dinner. The novel was the recipient of the 2002 Portsmouth Book Award in the Longer Novel category. [1] Plot [ edit ]Chapter 24: The News There is a news report about Mr Kelo’s death. The police think the killing was political. Alem looked on terrified as the soldier shot a number of bullets into the floor around the feet of his mother and father. His father screamed with fear. 'Please, leave us!''We only want peace.' I think that chapter 5 is a real turning point in the story because it reveals more of Alem's character then other chapters so it makes it easier for the audience to formularise themselves with Alem's character. Robert (Roberto) Alem’s friend from school, he always smokes and he tried to get Alem to smoke. His real name is Roberto Fernandez. And he is the enemy.' Then he turned and pointed the rifle at Alem's forehead. 'And he is a mongrel."

For his own safety, Alem's father brings him to England to escape the dangers at home. At first, Alem is delighted to be having a holiday with his dad, until he wakes up one morning to find his father has left him in England alone. I also enjoyed chapter 27 (last chapter), I felt it sends a powerful message out and it certainly made the book feel finished and complete. Refugee Boy is about a boy whose parents are from Ethiopia and Eritrea. It’s set at a time of civil war between the two countries; his mum is from Eritrea and his dad is from Ethiopia. The story is really about their son Alem. He went from living with the two people he loved most in Africa to being all alone in the world in the UK. His father brought him to England to get him away from the war, to safety, and after three days he left him and returned to Africa. Alem was left in a care home and it was an awful experience. He got bullied, he was an outsider. It’s about a family who were connected becoming disconnected. but I assure you it's not. It's full of humour, and the roller-coaster ride that you go on with Alem. It's definitely, definitely one to read. Alem was sent to live in a care home for boys. He slept in a room with Stanley Burton. He also made a friend named Mustafa. Later, the caretakers decide to put Alem in a foster home with Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald and their daughter Ruth. At one point during his stay with the Fitzgeralds, he receives a letter from his father stating that Alem's mother was murdered.Chapter 9: Alem begins school and makes friends with a boy named Robert. That evening Mariam comes to see Alem, he brings a letter from his father. It contains news that Alem’s mother is missing.