Review: "Child I" by Steve Tasane

Today is my birthday, at least I think it is... I haven't got my lifebook so the Guards don't believe me when I say it's today. But I'm ten today, I know I am...

Synopsis:

I'm not going to tell you the story of my past. I'm going to tell you the story of my life, right now, here in the Camp begining today..

Overview:

Child I follows the stories of five children in a refugee camp. These children have lost their parents, and their passports - or lifebooks as they call them, and so are trapped inside the camp. They're names are lost, and so we know the children only as children I, V, L, E and O.

The children try and make do in the Camp, finding food and ways to play. Around the camp Child I picks up small figurines, and together the children laugh and play.

But when they're not doing that they're on the search for food. From making mud cakes to trying to catch a bird in the pit, the children do everything they can to survive.

Within the Camp are charity workers who try to help the children, and Guards who only ever seen to cause problems for the residents - although all in the interests of their protection of course...

Overall:

This is a fascinating insight into the plight of children in refugee camps around the world. It perfectly reflects the innocence of children, and how they seek to survive, and play, even at the worst of times.

It is a great read for anyone wanting to know about the camps, as it draws on real tales of children trapped in camps around the world.