Boy Overboard Sparknotes

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The book Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman shows Afghanistan through the eyes of a boy named Jamal. Gleitzman is expressing his sympathy for refugees. The story follows Jamal as he and his family daringly escape to Australia to evade the government. Jamal grows and pushes himself as he comes across difficult situations, and is forced to adapt and be versatile. Jamal has to be brave to help his family, or they will perish, and he has to take a leadership role to survive and make it to Australia. Jamal is forced to grow up quickly, and his personality changes to fit. As Afghanistan is constantly overshadowed by war, Jamal has to be brave to survive, and keep his family together. He looks out for his little sister Bibi, as girls are prevented from going outside without an adult male. So Jamal is surprised when playing soccer with friends in the desert, and Bibi joins them, alone. He tries to get Bibi to go back home, but when she steps on …show more content…

They are officially asylum seekers. Unfortunately, when the family boards the two boats, they get separated. Jamal and Bibi board one boat, and their parents board the other. With nothing but a soccer ball for hope, Jamal and Bibi have to survive in the tough conditions. Jamal has to display his leadership skills to not only pull through, but also to control Bibi’s hot temper. And when pirates board the ship to steal jewellery and the girls, Jamal takes charge of the desperate situation, disguising Bibi and another girl, Rashida, as boys to fool the pirates. I take the knotted t-shirt off my head… put the t-shirt hat on Bibi’s head… “Quick, give Rashida your hat…” (pg. 142). Luckily, the pirates were fooled and Rashida and Bibi stayed on the boat. We see in this predicament, Jamal is able to develop his leadership skills and act quickly, and his personality continues to change from a boy to a young man as the setting

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