Title: Jelly Baby
Author: Phillip Begho
Publisher: Monarch Books Number of pages: 112Type of Book: Fiction
Age: 9-12
Available here.
It is also available for borrowing at the ZODML library, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Price: N200
MY SUMMARY
Jelly Baby is about a group of 12 boys between the ages of 8 and 10 who are taken from different war camps for boys all over Sierra Leone and sent to a special war camp, Camp Bori-Bori, for a special assignment. The boys found out their special assignment involved special sessions with the evil mind twister, Psycho Doctor who wanted to turn them into mini-killing machines (assassins), so they made up their minds to escape.
Did they come up with a suitable plan and find out the spies among them before Psycho Doctor arrived at the camp? Did they ever get the chance to escape? Find out when you read the book.
THUMBS UP AND DOWNUP: It took a tough subject about children and discussed it in an easy to understand manner without trivializing it. I loved the names of the characters!! Neva SayDai, Nine Lives, NoTongue, Nott 4-Deyung, Warr IsBad, etc. The characters make the book come alive for the reader and the twists and turns keep you turning the pages till the end.
DOWN: None!!
RATING
4.5 stars
TRIVIA
1.Everyone in the camp was scared of him. Psycho Doctor.
2. What was Bull Boy’s nickname for Jelly Baby? Sick Alimal (from animal)
3. How did Jelly Baby get his name? His body shook all the time.
4. Who were the Camp Bullies? Bull Boy and Trigger Kid
5. Which boy blew his nose all the time? Zimboiboy
6. Who were Jelly Baby’s pals? Neva SayDai and Live 4-Ever.CHALLENGE: Jelly Baby
Write a 500-word essay on the following question: What do you know about African Child Soldiers?
Send your answers to ugochinyelu.anidi@gmail.com
Entry requirements: Entrants must be within the 9-12 age range. The best entry will be announced on this page and will win a copy of this book.
Answers must be submitted before 12:00 noon on Wednesday 9th.
