Coram Boy facts for kids

Coram Boy is an exciting children's novel written by Jamila Gavin. It was published in 2000. This book won a special award called the Whitbread Children's Book Award. It tells a powerful story about friendship, betrayal, and finding your way in the world.

The Story of Coram Boy

The novel Coram Boy weaves together three main stories. They are all set in 18th-century England.

The Coram Man

One part of the story follows a man known as "The Coram Man," whose real name is Otis Gardiner. He travels around England, especially in London and Gloucester. Otis pretends to help women who cannot care for their babies. He promises to take these children to a famous place called the Coram Hospital in London. This hospital was a real place that cared for abandoned children. Otis has a son named Meshak, who is kind-hearted.

Alexander's Musical Dream

Another part of the story is about Alexander Ashbrook. He is the oldest son of a wealthy family. His father, Sir William Ashbrook, wants Alexander to learn how to manage their family estate. But Alexander loves music more than anything. He dreams of becoming a composer and musician at Gloucester Cathedral. This difference in dreams causes problems between Alexander and his family. Alexander is also very close friends with another choir boy named Thomas Ledbury.

Aaron's Journey

The third story is about a young boy named Aaron and his friend Toby. Aaron is Alexander Ashbrook's son. He faces many dangers but is saved by Meshak, Otis's son. Together, Aaron and Meshak escape and find their way to the Coram Hospital. The novel shows how these different lives connect in surprising ways. It explores themes of music, family, and finding a safe place in the world.

The Play Adaptation

The book Coram Boy was turned into a play by Helen Edmundson. Adrian Sutton wrote the music for the play. It was performed at the National Theatre in London for two seasons in 2005-2006 and 2006–2007. The play also had a short run on Broadway in New York City in 2007.

The play received many important awards and nominations. It was nominated for several Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Actress Xanthe Elbrick won a Theatre World Award in 2007 for her performance. In 2006, Coram Boy was nominated for four Olivier Awards. These included nominations for Best New Play, Best Director (Melly Still), Best Sound Design, and Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

In 2011, the play was performed again by Bristol Old Vic at Colston Hall. Melly Still directed it once more. This production featured a cast, choir, and orchestra from Bristol.

Images for kids

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  First edition (published by Mammoth Books)