Seekers of the lost boy (Paperback)


Set in Cape Town, South Africa, Seekers of the Lost Boy is an adventure that brings a homeschooling family face to face with the atrocities of their apartheid past. It begins when 12-year-old Simon finds a bottle on the water's edge during a visit to Muizenberg beach on a cold winter's day. He brings the bottle home, dreaming of adventures, pirates and hidden treasures, only to have the bottle shatter within minutes of returning home. At first he is dismayed, but his disappointment is soon turned to intrigue when he discovers an envelope in the bottle. It contains a letter written 30 years prior by another 12-year-old school boy from the poverty-stricken Cape Flats. The letter is brief and contains one question: Who is God and does he care about me? The letter fascinates the Ward family, so they embark on a journey of discovery. Through clues left in the letter, Simon, his mom and his twin 10-year-old siblings, Nic and Kim, find themselves revisiting their country's apartheid past as they search for their mystery letter-writer.

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Product Description

Set in Cape Town, South Africa, Seekers of the Lost Boy is an adventure that brings a homeschooling family face to face with the atrocities of their apartheid past. It begins when 12-year-old Simon finds a bottle on the water's edge during a visit to Muizenberg beach on a cold winter's day. He brings the bottle home, dreaming of adventures, pirates and hidden treasures, only to have the bottle shatter within minutes of returning home. At first he is dismayed, but his disappointment is soon turned to intrigue when he discovers an envelope in the bottle. It contains a letter written 30 years prior by another 12-year-old school boy from the poverty-stricken Cape Flats. The letter is brief and contains one question: Who is God and does he care about me? The letter fascinates the Ward family, so they embark on a journey of discovery. Through clues left in the letter, Simon, his mom and his twin 10-year-old siblings, Nic and Kim, find themselves revisiting their country's apartheid past as they search for their mystery letter-writer.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating  (8 Customers)

Reviews

Written by a home educating mom of four, about a South African homeschooling family, this story is one to read aloud together! Every one of us was gripped by the unfolding adventure as well as the complexity of characters, each with their own issues to resolve. This is the kind of historical fiction we love – local, exciting and with a profound message. The author skillfully took us back in time, entertained us while educating us and left us with deep things to think about. An excellent achievement.

Taryn’s book is brilliant. She has managed to tell a true South African story in a most authentic way. Not only is it South African but it is Capetonian. By this I mean you can almost smell and taste Cape Town in the story. It’s a book that touches on the struggles of a modern homeschooling family, and reaches into South Africa’s dark past to bring a victim of the “then” into the new “now”. All the way through the author manages to convey the idea of a family with a very specific set of values willing to face up to the history of the place where they are growing up. The cherry on the top is that the author never drops the ball and the Gospel shines out clearly in this lovely and touching story. Well done! More please! Frank Retief

Seekers of the Lost Boy has all the elements of a good story: compelling characters, interesting locations, heroic adventure, and a meaningful quest. With a blend of humour, heart, and seriousness, Hayes crafts a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, following the clues along with Simon & the rest of the Ward family. Enriched with detailed descriptions of South African life past and present, Seekers of the Lost Boy offers a thoughtful look at the legacy of apartheid, the impact of human connection, and the power of redemption. No matter your age, this story of friendship and forgiveness will move and delight you. A must-read!

We as a family enjoyed every moment of this book. It gave us an insight into the Apartheid area and the wonderful truth that can set you free from pain. This book has a happy ending that will truly be an eternal, happily-ever-after. It is well written and flows easily. Will be an easy read for children 9 and up, but as an adult, I too enjoyed it.

I loved this book. There are few books that get to grips with real life in South Africa in such a poignant way. It confronts the hard and ugly apartheid past of South Africa. Yet it is an book that does not leave the reader feeling depressed and hopeless. This is a book full of true hope and meaning right in the middle of the ugliness of real life. It's an easy read. The story flows really well. Kids will love it! (And adults too). You feel like you personally know the characters by the end of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've never read a book quite like this before. It was hard to put down.

Product Details

General

Imprint

Naledi

Country of origin

South Africa

Release date

March 2013

Availability

Expected to ship within 10 - 15 working days

First published

May 2013

Authors

Dimensions

198 x 130 x 15mm (L x W x T)

Format

Paperback

Pages

192

ISBN-13

978-1-920654-04-7

Barcode

9781920654047

Categories

LSN

1-920654-04-6



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