Where is boy overboard set

I call it the Nameless Faceless Fear story. Which can be lots of fun in the dark in front of a movie screen or curled up late at night with a scary book. But I felt it was very unfair of the government and certain media commentators to tell this type of story about people who seemed pretty scared themselves as far as we could glimpse, and miserable and in danger.

So I decided to tell a different kind of story. A sort of antidote to the nameless faceless fear one. A story where the people on the boats have names and faces, and as we get to know them, thoughts and feelings and hopes and dreams and grumpy moments and anxious moments and loving moments. Afghanistan was a violent dangerous place then, and in many ways still is.

But most of its people are ordinary families who want to live the same peaceful loving lives we all do. I was lucky enough to meet such a family. They had come to Australia as refugees, had been locked up in a detention centre in Western Australia for two years, and then released. I got to know them and they kindly read the first draft of Boy Overboard and helped me hugely with details of life in Afghanistan.

I dedicated the book to them, and the friendship I have with them is one of the most precious things my writing career has given me. Why is the book called Boy Overboard?

At the time I was thinking about writing it a refugee boat started to leak in the ocean between Indonesia and Australia. Not in Australia but in a better place than before. Their parents are on another boat which leaves. The boy from the camp is there too — Omar — with the ball. Girl Underground is the story of Bridget, an Australian girl with some big family problems of her own, who joins forces with Menzies, a boy whose father is an Australian government minister.

Together they become pen friends with Jamal and Bibi, who by this stage are in a detention centre in the Australian desert. In Girl Underground , the sequel to Boy Overboard — the story of a young boy, an Afghan refugee who ends up in an Australian detention centre, Morris continues his exploration of the theme of — as he puts it — locking up kids.

About the author Morris Gleitzman grew up in England and came to Australia when he was sixteen. After university he worked for ten years as a screenwriter. Then he had a wonderful experience. He wrote a novel for young people. Where is Boy Overboard set?

How old is Jamal in Boy Overboard? Jamal is 11 year old. Morris Gleitzman. Morris Gleitzman grew up in England and came to Australia when he was sixteen. After university he worked for ten years as a screenwriter. Then he had a wonderful experience. He wrote a novel for young people. Search books and authors. Buy from…. View all retailers. Also by Morris Gleitzman. Discover more. Teachers' notes. Boy Overboard. Related titles. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.