"A novel based on historical events – a story filling in some blanks behind the current news headlines"
This novel, by Birmingham born poet Zephaniah, is the fifth book in the Scholastic Voices series – highlighting the situation and stories behind the myriad of people who have arrived from all over the world to the UK. Leonard’s father is one of the many Jamaican born men who came to Britain at the request of the UK government to help rebuild the country after the second World War. So, when Leonard and his mother arrive in Southampton the 10-year-old had to get to know a father he barely remembers and learn to live in a climate, both physical and social, that was alien to him.
This is a carefully written account which does not shirk from exploring the society and the racism that Leonard encounters in his school and in being a part of 50’s and 60’s society in Manchester – where Leonard’s father was a bus driver. It’s aimed at KS2 children and the language, plus seeing everything through Leonard’s often confused eyes makes it a valuable lesson for children to read.
The book takes Leonard’s story to the present day where he is one of the Windrush generation who now struggle to prove his right to be in the UK – making this a strong story on which to base vital lessons on the morality of government policies. Highly recommended.
Leonard is shocked when he arrives with his mother in the port of Southampton. His father is a stranger to him, it's cold and even the Jamaican food doesn't taste the same as it did back home in Maroon Town. But his parents have brought him here to try to make a better life, so Leonard does his best not to complain, to make new friends, to do well at school - even when people hurt him with their words and with their fists. How can a boy so far from home learn to enjoy his new life when so many things count against him?
Windrush Child features in the following genres: Young Adult Fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: True stories told as fiction, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Racism and anti-racism, Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Diversity, equality and inclusion, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Lives of children in the past, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Discovery and exploration, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Self-awareness and self-esteem, Children’s / Teenage general interest: General knowledge and interesting facts, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: Personal and social topics, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics, Children’s / Teenage general interest: History and the past, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Windrush Child is available in Paperback
Windrush Child was written by Benjamin Zephaniah and published by Scholastic
Windrush Child has 208 pages
Yes it is part of Voices series
£7.19
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