A Different Boy - Softcover

Like all books by Paul Jennings, this one... draws you in immediately and grips you throughout. Like the author's previous titles too, it's superbly written without a wasted word. Having said that, it's also quite unlike any of his previous titles.' -- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub * This perfect jewel of a novella explores loss, isolation and the difficult migrant experience with spare, eloquent prose. -- Alison Brumwell, Chair of Juges

'The ship was a towering fortress looming over the pier. Anton stared enviously at the emigrants lining up in front of the wide gangplank. Heading off on a voyage to a land of peace and plenty. Leaving the land of broken buildings and crushed hopes behind. Looking forward to sunshine and steaks. How he wished that he was one of the lucky ones.' Loosely based on Paul Jennings' journey to Australia as a 'ten pound Pom', the story of Anton, who escapes from an orphanage and successfully stows away on a boat headed for the land of 'sunshine and steaks' has a timeless reality of its own. It is a tale of loss, guilt, mistaken identity and taking risks but also surprisingly heartwarming and heartbreaking. Perfect for reluctant readers in upper primary and lower secondary, it speaks of loss, migration, reslience and courage. Beautifully illustrated by Geoff Kelly.