Get our latest book recommendations, author news, and competitions right to your inbox.
Table of Contents
About The Book
Winner of the 9+ category of the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award.
What would you do if you could never leave your bubble? A poignant, heartwarming tale from inside the hospital walls that teaches children the importance of treating people with kindness and empathy. Perfect for fans of Wonder and The Boy At The Back of the Class.
Amir is mad. He’s crazy. But the hospital wouldn’t let a crazy person in. They must have interviewed him and checked his qualifications. But maybe he didn’t even meet them? Maybe he hasn’t even come from India. He might have arrived on an alien spaceship and snuck in here in the middle of the night.
Eleven-year-old Joe can't remember a life outside of his hospital room, with its beeping machines and view of London's rooftops. His condition means he's not allowed outside, not even for a moment, and his few visitors risk bringing life-threatening germs inside his 'bubble'. But then someone new enters his world and changes it for ever.
THE BUBBLE BOY is the story of how Joe spends his days, copes with his loneliness and frustrations, and looks - with superhero-style bravery, curiosity and hope - to a future without limits. Expect superheroes, super nurses and a few tears from this truly unique story.
‘Poignant, hopeful and heartbreaking’ Fiona Noble – Children’s Editor, The Bookseller
'Deeply moving and utterly gripping . . . Stewart Foster carries off an astonishing feat of storytelling in this exceptional book' Julia Eccleshare, lovereading.co.uk
‘A gripping and deeply moving book’ Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy
'One thing we know about good books is their amazing ability to inspire empathy in the reader; to explore ideas and viewpoints that arise from experiences that are out of our own realm. The Bubble Boy does this with warmth, quirkiness and a light-hearted touch' The Guardian
What would you do if you could never leave your bubble? A poignant, heartwarming tale from inside the hospital walls that teaches children the importance of treating people with kindness and empathy. Perfect for fans of Wonder and The Boy At The Back of the Class.
Amir is mad. He’s crazy. But the hospital wouldn’t let a crazy person in. They must have interviewed him and checked his qualifications. But maybe he didn’t even meet them? Maybe he hasn’t even come from India. He might have arrived on an alien spaceship and snuck in here in the middle of the night.
Eleven-year-old Joe can't remember a life outside of his hospital room, with its beeping machines and view of London's rooftops. His condition means he's not allowed outside, not even for a moment, and his few visitors risk bringing life-threatening germs inside his 'bubble'. But then someone new enters his world and changes it for ever.
THE BUBBLE BOY is the story of how Joe spends his days, copes with his loneliness and frustrations, and looks - with superhero-style bravery, curiosity and hope - to a future without limits. Expect superheroes, super nurses and a few tears from this truly unique story.
‘Poignant, hopeful and heartbreaking’ Fiona Noble – Children’s Editor, The Bookseller
'Deeply moving and utterly gripping . . . Stewart Foster carries off an astonishing feat of storytelling in this exceptional book' Julia Eccleshare, lovereading.co.uk
‘A gripping and deeply moving book’ Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy
'One thing we know about good books is their amazing ability to inspire empathy in the reader; to explore ideas and viewpoints that arise from experiences that are out of our own realm. The Bubble Boy does this with warmth, quirkiness and a light-hearted touch' The Guardian
About The Author
Photo (c) Tallulah Foster
Stewart Foster is an adult and children's novelist, born in Bath. His books have won multiple school and library awards and are recommended by Empathy Lab and Reading Well.
His first adult book, We Used to be Kings, was published in 2014, to the accolades of being selected as The Observers' Author to Watch, and Amazons' Rising Star, in the same year.
His first children's book, The Bubble Boy, was published in 2016, winning Sainsbury's Children's Book Award in 2016 (Age 9+) and many schools and libraries awards, as well as being nominated for The Carnegie Book Award. The book was published as BUBBLE, in USA and has been translated into eleven languages. Since then, Stewart has written four more children's books – All the Things That Could Go Wrong, Checkmates, The Perfect Parent Project and Can You Feel the Noise?
His first adult book, We Used to be Kings, was published in 2014, to the accolades of being selected as The Observers' Author to Watch, and Amazons' Rising Star, in the same year.
His first children's book, The Bubble Boy, was published in 2016, winning Sainsbury's Children's Book Award in 2016 (Age 9+) and many schools and libraries awards, as well as being nominated for The Carnegie Book Award. The book was published as BUBBLE, in USA and has been translated into eleven languages. Since then, Stewart has written four more children's books – All the Things That Could Go Wrong, Checkmates, The Perfect Parent Project and Can You Feel the Noise?
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK (May 19, 2016)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781471145414
- Ages: 10 - 99
Browse Related Books
Raves and Reviews
One thing we know about good books is their amazing ability to inspire empathy in the reader; to explore ideas and viewpoints that arise from experiences that are out of our own realm. The Bubble Boy does this with warmth, quirkiness and a light-hearted touch.
– The Guardian
'Poignant, hopeful and heartbreaking’
– The Bookseller
Heartbreaking in its simple affirmation of the importance of embracing what makes life worth living
– Daily Mail
Deeply moving and utterly gripping . . . Stewart Foster carries off an astonishing feat of storytelling in this exceptional book
– Julia Eccleshare, lovereading.co.uk
‘A gripping and deeply moving book’
– Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy
‘Brimming with heart and soul, The Bubble Boy is a life-affirming story of a boy with superhero-sized dreams who longs for a chance to be brave. I cheered and cried and hoped – for Joe, and for the amazing people in his life who care enough to be heroes right alongside him. Simply wonderful.’
– Jenn Bennett, author of Night Owls
One of the best books that I've read this year
– mrripleysenchantedbooks.com
The Bubble Boy will speak to many readers, as they might find it is their similarity to Joe that surprises them, despite their apparently dramatic differences
– Booktrust
For many readers, this will be one of the best – the most moving and thought-provoking – books they read this year…5 stars won't be enough
– Bookbag
An uplifting, positively life-affirming story with a very memorable hero
– Parents in Touch
A heart-warming story teens and adults alike will love
– Rebecca Smith, Family Traveller magazine
Never before have I experienced such an emotional attachment to a character…Stewart Foster has created a character who will steal your heart and possess your thoughts, you will get completely lost in this fantastic tale
– Book Lover Jo
I'm not much of a book person myself, however reading this book may have changed that as this was one of the only books I didn't want to put down. From the very beginning to the very end this was by far one of the best books I have read.
– Molly, Totally Tween
Funny, sweet and emotionally bruising, The Bubble Boy is incredibly affecting
– Ella Walker
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Bubble Boy eBook 9781471145414
- Author Photo (jpg): Stewart Foster Photo (c) Tallulah Foster(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
