The Bubble Boy Synopsis

They call it a crash when the blood goes from my head to my feet, pours out into the room and drains through a hole in the middle of the floor. They call it a crash when the walls start spinning and the pictures blur. Then the ceiling turns black and the floor turns black and I don't know which way I'm facing any more.

Eleven-year-old Joe can't remember a life outside of his hospital room, with its beeping machines and view of London's rooftops. His condition means he's not allowed outside, not even for a moment, and his few visitors risk bringing life-threatening germs inside his 'bubble'. But then someone new enters his world and changes it for ever.

The Bubble Boy is the story of how Joe spends his days, copes with his loneliness and frustrations, and looks - with superhero-syle bravery, curiosity and hope - to a future without limits. Expect superheroes, super nurses and a few tears from this truly unique story.

The Bubble Boy has also been reviewed by The Krib. See the video below and click on the video for more information.

The Bubble Boy Reader Reviews

Kids love to read and so in addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Lovereading4kids Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can read their full reviews by clicking here.

• Tomasz Hawryszczuk, age 11 - 'A truly inspirational and unique story. Joe is an eleven year old who has an immune disorder and has spent all his life in hospital. Amir arrives and this is where the story comes to life. Fabulous!'
• Emily Yates, age 9 - 'The Bubble Boy is the best book I have reviewed so far and by far the most realistic...A surprising, thought provoking book which makes me realise how blessed I am. I really enjoyed it!'
• Sam Harper, age 11 - 'A heart-wrenching, emotional character study of a boy in a bubble who lives life through his screens and his dreams.'
• Rose Roberts, age 12 - 'I loved this book. I could happily just read about Joe's everyday life without anything particularly exciting happening, and was hooked from the start. When I did get to the truly thrilling bit: wow!'
• Hattie Benton, age 10 - 'This is a great book which keeps you anticipating what is to come. The characters make you laugh and cry but above all, make you happy and appreciate what you have.'
• Charlotte Cassidy, age 11 - 'A brilliant, thoughtful book that kept me hooked all the way until the last page.  An emotional journey following Joe and his life in his bubble.'
• Alexander Bisland, age 10 - 'Bubble Boy is an emotional debut novel about a boy called Joe...I give it 5***** and it is definitely in my top 10 books.'
• Alexander Butler, age 12 - 'A very sad story but absolutely awesome too.'

The Bubble Boy Press Reviews

Praise for The Bubble Boy:

‘Poignant, hopeful and heartbreaking’ Fiona Noble, Children’s Editor - The Bookseller

‘I cheered and cried and hoped – for Joe, and for the amazing people in his life who care enough to be heroes right alongside him. Simply wonderful.’ Jenn Bennett, author of Night Owls

‘A gripping and deeply moving book’ Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy

If you loved this, you might like these...

All versions of this book

ISBN: 9781471145407
Publication date: 19/05/2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books an imprint of Simon & Schuster Ltd
Format: Paperback

Book Information

About Stewart Foster

Stewart Foster was named a New Author to Watch by the Guardian and was an Amazon Rising Star for his adult novel, published in the UK. The Bubble Boy was his first book for young readers, and he has since gone on to write All the Things That Could Go Wrong and Check Mates. Totally obsessed with soccer, he lives in Bath, England, with his two daughters, Lois and Tallulah.

More Books By Stewart Foster