A gritty, deeply moving story that shows how the human spirit can triumph in the harshest of worlds. The deserved winner of the Children's Book Award when it was first published. This is the story of children who live on the very edge of destitution. Dani and Mamo, and the gang of street boys that they join, have nothing and share everything. Their courage, loyalty and determination enable them to survive in the harshest of worlds.
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This is an absolutely touching story which reaches the heart. Whilst it is full of tragedy, it is also filled with hope and heart-warming scenes. The storyline is extremely engaging, weaving together the lives of two boys with strikingly different experiences. It is definitely worth reading and has become one of my favourite books yet!
This is an absolutely touching book which reaches the heart. Whilst it is full of tragedy, it is also filled with hope and heart-warming scenes.
As some books start slow, this book kept me utterly engaged right from the start making me feel a sense of suspense and horror.
I love how the narrator switches from one character to another, as it keeps me fully mystified at the cliff hangers and urges me to read on. The story follows three children, Dani, Mamo and Tiggist, as they struggle to find their place and their future both in the countryside and in the capital city.
Laird touches on sensitive topics, such as, slave labour, child beggars and death on the streets.... Read Full Review
From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning edition of The Garbage King, with a cover illustration by Zeamanuel Abera, an author letter and additional content from the author, including discussion notes. Inspired by the true story of an Ethiopian childhood lived on the edge of destitution, it takes readers on an unforgettable emotional journey.
When Mamo's mother dies, he is abandoned in the shanties of Addis Ababa. Stolen by a child-trafficker and sold to a farmer, he is cruelly treated. Escaping back to the city, he meets another, very different runaway. Dani is rich, educated - and fleeing his tyrannical father. Together they join a gang of homeless street boys who survive only by mutual bonds of trust and total dependence on each other.
This edition includes brilliant extra material, such as:
- An introduction by Elizabeth Laird
- Extra content from the author, including reading group questions
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Garbage King and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-12 years old
The Garbage King features in the following genres: Gritty Reads, Recommendations, PSHE: Bullying and Discrimination, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 11+ readers
The Garbage King is available in Paperback
The Garbage King was written by Elizabeth Laird and published by Macmillan Children's Books an imprint of Pan Macmillan
The Garbage King has 339 pages
£7.19
