Boy 87 facts for kids

Boy 87 (also known as Refugee 87) is an exciting modern novel by Ele Fountain. It tells a powerful story about the challenges faced by young people during a refugee crisis. The book was written while Ele Fountain lived in Ethiopia. It was published by Pushkin Children's Books in the UK and by Little Brown in the US.

Story of Boy 87

Shif's Life in a Dictatorship

The story of Boy 87 follows a smart boy named Shif. He lives in a country ruled by a dictatorship (a government with one powerful leader). Shif and his best friend, Bini, are at school, just like any other day. They are both very bright students. They have even skipped grades in school. Soon, they expect to start military school early.

One day, soldiers start appearing near the school. They are looking for young people who might be trying to avoid joining the military. Shif then learns a big secret from his mother. She had told him his father died in a hospital. But Shif discovers his father is actually alive, held in prison.

Escape and Separation

Soon after, Shif sees soldiers close to his home. When a soldier tries to stop him, Shif runs back to his house. Things become more serious when Bini does not show up at school the next day. When Shif gets home, his mother tells him he must leave without her or his sister. The government is looking for him.

Shif quickly packs a bag with what he needs. Soldiers then enter his home and search for anything that shows he plans to leave. They find his packed bag. Shif and Bini are put onto a truck. This truck takes them to a prison.

Life in Prison

The truck travels for a whole day to reach the prison. The prison uses large cargo containers to hold people called 'traitors'. Shif and Bini are very thirsty when they arrive. They are thrown into a container with other prisoners. Some of these prisoners have been there for many years.

Shif and Bini are confused and still very thirsty. The older prisoners explain the rules of the prison. They are forced to march in the hot desert every day. One of the prisoners tells them about a plan to escape. He also shares surprising news: Shif's father might still be alive. He says they were sent to the same prison years ago.

Journey to Freedom

Shif and Bini decide to try the escape plan. They make a run for it, but guards chase them. Shif manages to escape, but Bini does not. Shif knows he must keep going. He decides to travel north towards the Mediterranean Sea. His goal is to reach Italy and wait for his family there.

Main Characters

Shif (Shiferwa Gebreselassie)

Shif is the main character of the story. He is a very smart boy. His father had disagreed with the government, which led to trouble for their family. Shif's best friend is Bini. The story mostly follows Shif's journey. He has a younger sister named Lemlem. His mother cares for him deeply, but she kept the truth about his father a secret.

Bini

Bini is Shif's best friend. He is also very intelligent, perhaps even smarter than Shif. His mother's name is Saba. Bini shares many experiences with Shif, especially at the beginning of their difficult journey.

Yonas

Yonas is an older prisoner who helps Shif and Bini. He has been in the prison for many years. He plays a key role in their escape plan.

Lemlem

Lemlem is Shif's younger sister. Not much is known about her, but she is young and loves colorful things.

Almaz

Almaz becomes Shif’s new friend after he leaves his home country. She also comes from the same country as Shif. Her mother's name is Shewit and her father is Mesfin. Almaz had a brother who was taken by the military.

Awards and Recognition

Boy 87 has received many awards and honors. It won the 2019 Southwark Book Award. It was also a winner of the 2019 Portsmouth Book Award Longer Novel. The book also won the 2019 Sheffield Children’s Book Award Longer Novel. In 2019, it won the Sefton Super Reads Award.

The book was shortlisted for several other awards. These include the 2019 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for older readers. It was also shortlisted for the 2018 Northeast Book Award. Other shortlists include the 2019 Teach Primary Key Stage 2 Book Award. It was also recognized by the 2019 Warwickshire Secondary Book Award. The 2019 North Herts Schools’ Book Award in the Younger category also shortlisted it.

Boy 87 was longlisted for the 2019 UKLA (Ages 7-11) Book Award. These awards show how much readers and critics appreciate the story.