Boy Overboard
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| Boy Overboard | |
 The first edition of Boy Overboard. |
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| Author | Morris Gleitzman |
|---|---|
| Country |  Australia |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Puffin |
| Publication date | 2004 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback and Paperback) |
| Followed by | Girl Underground |
Boy Overboard is the first novel in the Boy and Girl series written by Morris Gleitzman and featuring the fictional character Jamal Houssini, a young refugee from Afghanistan. It was published 2004 by Puffin in Australia. It tells the story of young Jamal, his sister Bibi and his parents' long journey to Australia. The name originates from the children overboard incident that occurred near Australia.
Jamal and Bibi have to run away with their parents because their mother and father have been caught out running an illegal school. To escape the government Jamal, Bibi and their parents have to escape to Australia. To do this they have to face smugglers, pirates, police and Australian Forces. They make friends and enemies, get sick and well again. A shockingly realistic story about life as a refugee.
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[edit] Main characters
Jamal Houssini (also known as Jamal) is the main protagonist. Jamal Houssini was born to Mohammed and Fatima Houssini, a poor family of a taxi driver and an illegal school teacher respectively. He lives in Afghanistan with his parents and his sister but flee due to illegal schooling. Heroic, quick thinking, fiercely determined, intelligent and loyal. Jamal enjoys soccer and hopes one day to win the World Cup for Afghanistan. On the voyage to Australia he builds a likeness for Rashida.
Bibi Houssini - Bibi Houssini (also known as Bibi) is the second protagonist of Morris Gleitzman's Boy Overboard. She lives in Afghanistan with her parents and her brother, Jamal. Feisty, rude, unwilling and rule breaking. Bibi, alongside her brother enjoys soccer and hopes to be at his side when he wins the World Cup. She builds a friendship with Omar on the journey. Bibi Houssini was born to Mohammed and Fatima Houssini, and was born two years after Jamal. Her parents were taxi drivers and school teachers respectively.
[edit] Media
[edit] Theatre production
In 2005, the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) performed a theatrical adaptation of the novel.[1], Boy Overboard was performed at Riverside Theatres from 19-30 July.
Cast:
- Ashwin Gore: Jamal.
- Emily Edmonds: Bibi.
- James Pike/ Ben James: Omar.
- Sarah Armanious: Rashida.
- Julian Dibley-Hall: Mohammad/Pirate.
- Aimee Falzon/Hannah Liddy: Fatima.
- Leigh Scully/Toby Paramour: Andrew.
- Alice Workman: Preggo Chick/School 8Girl.
- Bella Partridge: School Girl.
- Grace Partridge: School Girl.
- Lloyd Ruz: Zoltan.
- Johnny Lieu: Yusuf.
- Alvaro De Romana: Mussa.
- Nelio Sam: Aziz/Trader.
- Paul He: Mussa/Trader.
- Sorie Bangura: Truck Driver/Pirate/Zoltan.
Directed By: Timothy Jones and Becky Chapman.
It was appropriated to stage by Patricia Cornelius. She won and Australian Writers Guild Award for Boy Overboard and for her other adaption Love.
In March 2006, ATYP took Boy Overboard to South Australia, where it was a part of the 2006 Adelaide Fringe Festival[2] . The successful two week South Australian tour also visited Port Lincoln.
[edit] Sequel
There is a sequel to Boy Overboard, entitled Girl Underground. It is about a young girl who tries to free Jamal and Bibi from a camp.
