Boy in the Tower cover art

Boy in the Tower

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Boy in the Tower

By: Polly Ho-Yen
Narrated by: Jervis Amfo-Gyamera
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About this listen

When they first arrived, they came quietly and stealthily as if they tip-toed into the world when we were all looking the other way.

Ade loves living at the top of a tower block. From his window, he feels like he can see the whole world stretching out beneath him. His mum doesn’t really like looking outside - but it’s going outside that she hates.

She’s happier sleeping all day inside their tower, where it’s safe. But one day, other tower blocks on the estate start falling down around them, and strange, menacing plants begin to appear. Now their tower isn’t safe anymore. Ade and his mum are trapped, and there’s no way out....

©2014 Polly Ho-Yen (P)2021 W F Howes Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Fiction Adventure

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Critic reviews

Nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

“An unusual and very impressive debut.” (The Bookseller)

All stars
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OUTSTANDING I loved it and listened for hours and was such a good book loved it

Amazing

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This is a very good book! It scared me but was brilliantly gripping and I would definitely read again. I would say that parents should be careful when children under 12 years read but it can be enjoyed by anyone who takes the time to enjoy it.

Amazing but very frightening

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What a book! So much detail we felt we were with them in the tower. Thank you

We felt we were with him in the tower

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Love it it’s a beautiful story for a beautiful family <3 amazing kids with power

Amazing

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I’ve wanted to read this for a really long time and now am angry I have put it off for so long!
Brilliant MG SciFi/Adventure- think Day of the Triffids meets Word War Z (no zombies, but you get the idea!)
The story is told through the eyes of Ade a young boy trapped in a London tower block with his sick mum, while the world outside is changing in a way that is beyond control. He discovers a bravery he didn’t know he had and new friends all while trying to overcome impending disaster as buildings mysteriously begin to collapse around him.

This book 100% needs to become a film/tv series.
Fabulous

Outstanding!

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I love the story and being able to listen to it any day any where was just wonderful.Anyone could enjoy it.The speaker was great too and the two tied together just fit perfectly.

It was amazing!

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I was thrilled by the start and middle but I think they could have ended it better.

The narrator was really good at portraying the emotions and thoughts of the little boy in the tower.

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A thought provoking look at a dystopian world. Polly Ho-Yen avoids the rules of children’s writing by facing fear head on presenting a story that uncovers the strength of a child. I read this with my class and while sceptical about how they would receive a book that is so sad, they were hooked by the story helped by Ho-Yen’s ability to leave the faintest of glimmers of hope in the darkest corners of the book. My class groaned as I closed the book at the end of each session wanting to know what would happen next. Ade is so normal that the children felt great compassion for him and could fully immerse in the book. Not suitable for younger readers but mature 10+ can definitely access and engage. Also a great read for adults.

A new take on a children’s novel

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The performance of this novel lacked any fluidity. As a result, I struggled to enjoy it.

Disappointing performance

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