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samanthas92's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
sparker94's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
waddlealot's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Like 'Wonder', The Bubble Boy forces readers to see their life if they were not so fortunate. Joe has spent his entire life in a hospital ward of his own, protected from the germs in the everyday air outside that could kill him.
What a life to lead, at 11. What a start for a children's story.
We get to see Joe's routine - the boredom and the medication, the TV and the visits. Joe only has a sister to come and see him (we learn what has happened to his parents early on), who he feels he is holding back from a life of university and friends.
He does get to share the frustrations with a fellow 'bubble boy' over in America, both dreaming of the day they might be allowed out in special NASA suits, what they would do, where they would go.
We also get to meet the busy nursing staff, for whom Joe is just one of many patients in the children's hospital, a long-term occupant amongst cancer patients and those fighting for their lives around him.
A new face turns the story in a new direction - Amir, a new carer talks about aliens - and about helping Joe escape his everyday trappings.
Joe is adorable, more worldly than you'd expect for someone caught in a hospital ward for a decade. His technology keeps him up-to-date with the world around him and a contemporary of readers his own age.
It's a situation you can't imagine, but through Joe you get a feel for his life and how hard it must be. Amir, I wasn't sure about, but the ultimate direction of the story was heart-warming and I really loved it.
Unique story, a protagonist young readers aged 10-13 will root for, and a great book for book clubs and class discussions.
What a life to lead, at 11. What a start for a children's story.
We get to see Joe's routine - the boredom and the medication, the TV and the visits. Joe only has a sister to come and see him (we learn what has happened to his parents early on), who he feels he is holding back from a life of university and friends.
He does get to share the frustrations with a fellow 'bubble boy' over in America, both dreaming of the day they might be allowed out in special NASA suits, what they would do, where they would go.
We also get to meet the busy nursing staff, for whom Joe is just one of many patients in the children's hospital, a long-term occupant amongst cancer patients and those fighting for their lives around him.
A new face turns the story in a new direction - Amir, a new carer talks about aliens - and about helping Joe escape his everyday trappings.
Joe is adorable, more worldly than you'd expect for someone caught in a hospital ward for a decade. His technology keeps him up-to-date with the world around him and a contemporary of readers his own age.
It's a situation you can't imagine, but through Joe you get a feel for his life and how hard it must be. Amir, I wasn't sure about, but the ultimate direction of the story was heart-warming and I really loved it.
Unique story, a protagonist young readers aged 10-13 will root for, and a great book for book clubs and class discussions.
carolineroche's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't a great read, but it was an endearing one. Told from the POV of a boy who has never been out of hospital because he has no immune system. One tiny infection, one bug, could kill him. It's about his life, his isolation, and the friendships he makes with the staff. And it's about Amir, who bursts into his life and brings fun, interest - but also danger.
hoserlauren's review against another edition
3.0
Joe is a boy of 11 who has lived in a hospital room since he was 2 months old because he has no immune system to stop himself from getting sick. Joe only has a few things to keep him entertained: tv and video games, his laptop where he in touch with another boy in the States with the same disease, his sister, and his nurses. His sister, Beth, struggles with the decision to move away for school because their parents died a few years ago. That's right. This poor kid is stuck in a bubble and his parents have both died in a car crash. His favourite nurse is Greg and he gets a new on Amir who is a bit of an odd character. He always looks out the window, supposedly looking for UFOs. But maybe Amir can help Joe experience a little more of life?
This book is a very easy read and a fairly emotional one at that. However something was a bit off about it, that keeps me from giving it a higher mark. I think it was a couple of things. First, I didn't fully understand Joe's illness. It makes sense that he has no immune system and needs purified air. But why does that make him consistently tired? The other oddity was Amir's obsession with aliens. Was there any point to it other than for conversation? He seemed a pretty smart guy but then had this weird obsession with aliens. Why?
I'm sure kids would enjoy this book. It wasn't bad, just not fantastic.
This book is a very easy read and a fairly emotional one at that. However something was a bit off about it, that keeps me from giving it a higher mark. I think it was a couple of things. First, I didn't fully understand Joe's illness. It makes sense that he has no immune system and needs purified air. But why does that make him consistently tired? The other oddity was Amir's obsession with aliens. Was there any point to it other than for conversation? He seemed a pretty smart guy but then had this weird obsession with aliens. Why?
I'm sure kids would enjoy this book. It wasn't bad, just not fantastic.
missevey's review against another edition
4.0
Great insight into life with a rare illness - particularly important to consider what is really valuable in life. Less materialistic, more experiences.
Would recommend that KS2 children delve into this book!
Would recommend that KS2 children delve into this book!
sacajaguido's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows the story of a young boy, Joe Grant, who has been hospitalized his entire life with a rare genetic disorder. This genetic disorder confines him to a hospital room that is sealed and monitored for bacteria at all times and because of this Joe has lived a very solitary life.
This was a very good book (especially for any reader that enjoyed Wonder) because Joe is such a positive and yet realistic character. We experience his ups and downs and they feel realistic to that of an eleven year old in this situation.
The best part of this book is the way that Joe interacts with the people in his life and the friendships that he makes. His sister, the hospital staff, Amir (a new nurse), and Henry are all fantastic characters that add to the depth of this story and help tell this both heartwarming and (at times) heart wrenching story.
This was a very good book (especially for any reader that enjoyed Wonder) because Joe is such a positive and yet realistic character. We experience his ups and downs and they feel realistic to that of an eleven year old in this situation.
The best part of this book is the way that Joe interacts with the people in his life and the friendships that he makes. His sister, the hospital staff, Amir (a new nurse), and Henry are all fantastic characters that add to the depth of this story and help tell this both heartwarming and (at times) heart wrenching story.
alifromkc1907's review
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 3.5
Character Score: 3.5
Believability Score: 5
Uniqueness Score: 5
Writing Style Score: 4.5
Excitement Factor Score: 3
Story Line Score: 4
Title Relevance Score: 5
Artwork Relevance Score: 5
Overall: 4.27
Character Score: 3.5
Believability Score: 5
Uniqueness Score: 5
Writing Style Score: 4.5
Excitement Factor Score: 3
Story Line Score: 4
Title Relevance Score: 5
Artwork Relevance Score: 5
Overall: 4.27