Genetics, Sickle Cell Anemia, transplant, donor, South Africa, magic, family
Boom Boom
by Jude Idada
Key information
Author: Jude Idada
Illustrator: Thy Bui
Release Date: 21st September 2023
Star rating: ★★★★★
Book type: Chapter, 213 pages, paperback
Reader level: Confident reader (9+)
Age: Year 4+ (advanced scientific content)
Overview
Osaik is faced with the realities of losing those he loves to Sickle Cell anaemia and must do whatever he can to protect his little sister, Eghe (Boom Boom) from the same fate as his mother.
With the only hope being to find a bone marrow donor, and donor match seeming near impossible to find, the family begin to lose hope. One night, Osaik and his talking dog Kompa have a spark of hope as Kompa senses a donor match nearby. Putting every ounce of faith into his beloved dog, Osaik and his family rush across the city to see if their prayers have been answered.
At first, the donor's parents are reluctant to help Eghe and demand payment for their services to Osaik's family despite their desperate pleas. Determined to save his sister, Osaik sets his goal to fundraise as much money as possible to cover the costs. However, his plan falls apart when his sister is taken critically ill and his fundraising disappears for good. With time running out, Osaik's family can only hope that their prayers will be answered and Eghe's donor will save a desperate family.
Key concepts/themes
- Family
- Disease
- Fundraising
- Magic
- Hope
- Love
- Medicine
Key considerations
- Grief
- Loss of parents
- Illness
- Trauma
Curriculum links
Science - genetics, genetic diseases, transplants, donors, health, medicine
Additional teaching opportunities
1. Writing
- Letter (from Osaik pleading for a donor)
- Diary entry (Osaik)
- News appeal (for donor)
- Fact File/Report (about Sickle Cell Anemia)
- Narrative (Adventures of Kompa)
- Persuasive writing (convince the donor to help Eghe)
2. PSHE
- Discuss moral duty to help others
- Discuss risks of transplants
- Money vs life
- Grief/loss
- Importance of fundraising
3. Geography
- South Africa
4. Art
- South African landscape
Vocabulary
Boom Boom is an excellent resource for introducing young readers to the concept of genetic diseases and biochemistry. Although the concepts are quite advanced, they are presented in a child-friendly way that can be made accessible to young readers with a little help!
| Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|
| squint, examine, lingering, dose, complexion, summoned, frequently, miraculous, fiesty, mesmerising | crisis, sickle cell anemia, red blood cells, specialised, white blood cells, lymphocytes, oxygen, haemoglobin, blood vessels, sickles, anemia, bone marrow, stem cells, transplant, donor, HLA (A,B,C,D), antigens, molecules, |
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