The Boy in the Bubble (novel) facts for kids
The Boy In The Bubble is a children's novel written by Ian Strachan. It was published in 1993. The story is about a boy named Adam. Adam was born with a serious health condition called Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Because of this, he had to live inside a special oxygen tent. This tent kept him safe from germs and sickness. The novel also follows a schoolgirl named Anne. She decides to make her school project about Adam. This book won the Red House Children's Book Award. It was also named the 1994 Lancashire Book of the Year.
Contents
The Boy In The Bubble Novel
What is the Story About?
The story begins with Anne, a young girl. One day, while walking home from school, she meets Adam. Adam has SCID, which means his body cannot fight off illnesses. To stay healthy, he must live inside a plastic oxygen tent. This tent protects him from the outside world.
Anne starts visiting Adam often. They become very close friends. Over time, their friendship grows into a special relationship. However, Adam worries that he is holding Anne back. He feels bad that he cannot leave his tent to go out with her. He shares his concerns with Anne.
Anne misunderstands what Adam means. She thinks he has lost interest in her. Because of this, she breaks up with him. Anne then starts a relationship with another boy named Tony. This helps her feel better after her breakup with Adam.
But soon, Anne realizes she misses Adam. She decides to go to his house to apologize. When she arrives, Adam's mother tells her something important. Adam is at the hospital. He is having a special operation called a bone marrow transplant. This surgery is meant to give Adam healthy cells. These cells would help him build his own immune system. If it works, he could finally leave his protective bubble. However, the operation also has risks.
After the surgery, Adam is able to live outside his sterile bubble. He can hug Anne and his family for the first time. But sadly, two weeks after Christmas, Adam passes away.
Understanding SCID: The 'Bubble Boy' Disease
What is SCID?
SCID stands for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. It is sometimes called 'bubble boy disease'. This is a rare condition that babies can be born with. Children with SCID do not have enough special cells. These cells are called T- and B-lymphocytes. They are a very important part of the body's immune system.
Without these immune cells, even common infections can become very serious. They can be frequent and even deadly. Also, weakened germs used in vaccines can be dangerous for SCID patients. This is because their bodies cannot fight off these germs.
David Vetter: The Original 'Bubble Boy'
The name 'bubble boy disease' comes from the 1970s and 1980s. This was when the story of David Vetter became well-known. David was a child with SCID. He lived inside a sterile, germ-free environment for 12 years. This was his only way to stay safe from infections.
How SCID is Treated Today
Today, SCID can often be cured. It is important to find out if a baby has SCID very early. One main treatment is a stem cell transplant. This is also known as a bone marrow transplant.
During this treatment, healthy stem cells are taken from another person. These cells are then put into the patient's bloodstream. These new stem cells can grow into the immune cells that the patient is missing. This helps the patient build a working immune system. The earlier SCID is found and treated, the better the chances of a cure.
About the Author: Ian Strachan
There is not a lot of detailed information about Ian Strachan's early life. We know that Ian Strachan is a British writer. He writes books for young adults. Strachan was born in 1939 and is still alive today.
He has written several books about children who face challenges. These challenges often involve illness or disability. Strachan was nominated for the Angus Book Award. This award is given by the Angus Council in Scotland. He has also won many other prizes for his books.
