Bird & Sugar Boy

Sofie Laguna

Puffin Books

June 2006 $16.95

164p pb

ISBN: 978-0143004950

Bird & Sugar Boy by Sofie Laguna is about a boy, James, nicknamed Bird by his best friend Sugar Boy. Bird has been nicknamed this because of his great passion for birds.

Bird lives alone with his father because when he was little his mother ‘shot though’. Now it seems Sugar Boy is about to do the same and Bird believes it is his fault for his mother and now Sugar Boy leaving. Bird can’t bear to be around Sugar Boy as the day for him to leave draws nearer. Drawing strength from his love of birds he devises a plan…

I believe the book was intended for about ages eleven to fourteen. I thought it had a good, suitable story line for the intended age group because a lot of children from a young age blame themselves for family problems. I thought it was excellent to address these issues so kids know they’re not alone.

I thought the text was well written but lacked the edge that made me want to keep coming back to read more. However, I don’t think this was from bad writing but because I felt less connected to the issues. I recommend this book for people who have experienced separated parents or friends leaving them. If you have you will probably love this book. Enjoy!

Lauren, aged 15, Brisbane, Australia

Bird & Sugar Boy  is a story about a boy called James Burdell, nicknamed Bird by his best friend Sugar Boy. When Sugar Boy tells Bird that he is moving to Broome, Bird feels like he is losing everyone. He feels like Sugar Boy is shooting through like his mum shot though when he was a baby. At that moment he hates life.

This story has a lot to do with friendship, running away and parents. I could feel the chemistry between Bird and Sugar boy strongly especially when Sugar Boy leaves to go to Broome. Bird has a real character and a lot of personality. I thought it was a little dramatic but satisfying. The ending was rushed so I didn’t really like the ending as much and I’d hoped.

I think Bird & Sugar Boy is a great life story. I was hooked from the very beginning because it started with dialogue and I connected with this style of writing. It was a really moving story and made me think about what would happen if my mum shot through. I loved the book and I just couldn’t put it down. I would recommend it to ages 10 to 14.

Emily-Jayne, aged 11, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia