Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay

Bone Talk is fiction, but its historical backdrop is something we Filipinos will always share with our American friends. It is what it is. We cannot change what happened but we must be aware of what happened and how it changed us. An engrossing and must read book. Samkad lives deep in the Philippine jungle, and has never encountered anyone from outside his own tribe before. He's about to become a man, and while he's desperate to grow up, he's worried that this will take him away from his best friend, Little Luki, who isn't ready for the traditions and ceremonies of being a girl in her tribe. But when a bad omen sends Samkad's life in another direction, he discovers the brother he never knew he had. A brother who tells him of a people called 'Americans'. A people who are bringing war, and destruction right to their home. A coming-of-age story set at the end of the 19th century in a remote village in the Philippines, this is a story about growing up, discovering yourself, and the impact of colonialism on native peoples and their lives. The author likes to tell audiences that books do not provide answers but help us ask questions. She hopes that Bone Talk will awaken a questioning in all of us. There are still many things about that era we need to be curious about.

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal (UK); Shortlisted for the Costa Prize (UK); Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week; The Guardian Book of the Month; The Times Books of the Year. "Hotly Anticipated Historical Fiction for Young Adults"

Endorsed by Amnesty International: "Amnesty International endorses Bone Talk because it upholds many human rights, including our rights to life, to equality, to have a religion, to enjoy our own culture. It also shows us what can happen when these are taken away from us."

Rich in the customs of the Bontok culture, with its paddy fields, sacrifices to ancestral spirits, and hunting and fighting with spears and axes,this fully imagines a way of life for which the records are sketchy. It also shows us a moment of change, as two worlds meet, and that it takes more than a ceremony to make a man. - The Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week, Nicolette Jones

The culture and the landscape are vividly drawn, a mesmerising world of soulful ritual and community, rendering the impact of the Americans invasion all the more devastating. -Young Adult Books of the Month, The Observer, Fiona Noble

Candy Gourlay's prose takes the reader by the hand beckoning them on Samkad's journey. They will feel every stone under their feet, every whisper from the trees and every laughter and tear shed as they delve deeper and deeper into the book. Only once the last page has been read will they come up for air, wondering how they will ever read anything quite like it again. -My Book Corner, Sarah Broadley

About Author
Candy Gourlay, an award-winning was born in the Philippines, grew up under a dictatorship ( Ferdinand Marcos) and met her husband during a revolution. Her latest novel BONE TALK (published by David Fickling Books) was shortlisted for the Costa and the Carnegie. Last year she was thrilled to publish her first picture book, IS IT A MERMAID (published by Otter-Barry Books), illustrated by Francesca Chessa. While growing up, she wondered why all the books she had ever loved did not resemble her steamy tropical home in Manila. As a result, it took her years to fulfill her dream of becoming an author... and years to learn that Filipino stories, too, belong in the pages of books. Her novels for young readers,TALL STORY and SHINE, have been listed for many prizes such as the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Book Prize. She lives in London with her family.

Pambata

Book Details:

Hardbound Details
Publisher ‏ : ‎ David Fickling Books (November 5, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 133834963-5
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-13-3-834963-4
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 1 x 8.3 inches

Softbound Details
ISBN13: 978-13-3-862022-1
Pages:272
Grades:8 - 10
Language: English
Publisher: Scholastics, Inc.
Published: 2019
Product Dimension: 5.7x1x8.3 inches
Shipping weight: 12.8 ounces