The Fastest Boy in the World

Author:

Elizabeth Laird

Illustrator:

N/A

Published by:

Macmillan Children's

First Published:

5 Jun 2014

Ideal for readers aged

9-12y

My Review

Elizabeth Laird specialises in writing books that transport children to other parts of the world, and all her books are worth checking out – here, she takes us straight into the world of Solomon, an eleven-year old Ethiopian boy living outside Addis Ababa who dreams of being an Olympic athlete. The story lets us into his rural home, but also gives us a taste of the city seen through his eyes for the first time when he travels to Addis with his Grandfather. In the crisis that ensues the reader is caught up in Solomon’s mission to get a message to his parents back in the village – and the only way he can do it is to run! Exploring the strength of inter-generational relationships and the power of perseverance against the odds, it’s a great book for boys especially, and a pretty easy read that really opens up Solomon’s world to any child who picks it up. Also the perfect length for a class or family read-aloud!

Heads Up!

Elizabeth Laird is a prolific writer, brilliant at transporting children to other cultures and countries.

Publisher Review

Eleven-year-old Solomon loves to run! The great athletes of the Ethiopian national team are his heroes and he dreams that one day he will be a gold-medal-winning athlete like them, in spite of his ragged shorts and bare feet. When his grandfather announces that he's going to take Solomon to Addis Ababa, Solomon cannot believe his ears. A trip to the capital? It's unfathomable. Solomon's joy is increased when he realizes that the Ethiopian running team will be doing a victory parade through the city that day. Maybe he'll get a glimpse of Haile Gebrselassie or Derartu Tulu?! But Solomon's grandfather has other plans. As Solomon follows him through the big, overwhelming streets, he learns something he cannot believe. The strict old man is a war hero who once risked his life to save a friend and has been in hiding ever since. When grandfather collapses, Solomon knows that getting help from his village is up to him. It's a twenty-mile run from the city to home, and grandfather's life hangs in the balance. Can the small bare-footed runner with the big heart do it? Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, The Fastest Boy in the World by Elizabeth Laird is the inspiring story of a small Ethiopian runner with a very big heart.