Illegal: A Graphic Novel

"Illegal" is a beautifully illustrated and heart-wrenchingly told cautionary tale about (and for) young Africans who are considering risking everything, including their lives, to seek what they think will be a better life in Europe. Crossing deserts and seas, getting bilked of their few coins, having their lives threatened daily by people who don't share their hopeful idealism, these young people -- as personified by main character Ebo -- have thrown caution to the wind to escape their misery at home. On its surface and at its most basic level, the title "Illegal" can be seen as referring to these immigrants' status if and when they reach their imagined Promised Land. But it also relates to everything they do, and go through, along the way. Stark, sad, scary, heartbreaking, and beautifully done.

I was sad ther wasn’t a hardback available. Had to by a used one, but it we like new.

Bought this for my son's 5th grade assignment and it was great for PoV (point of view). Great discussion and vocabulary.

IllegalBy Doin Colder, Andrew TonkinThis was a terrific book showing the desperation and extent and plight many people go through to get a better life. They actually risk their lives rather than live where they started at. Death would be a better option. What a sad choice.

If you are a human being, or know a human being, then I would highly recommend this book. It's unbelievable what Ebo has to go through, and yet completly believable. And although the characters in this book are fictional, the situation they're in is very real. I've been a fan of Eoin Colfer's work for some time, and he never disappoints. The artwork is stunning and the book is high quality. I belive if everyone reads it, everything would be so much more clear. I loved this book and will definitely be reading it over and over again. "How can a human being be illegal?"

Great art and a powerful story. I had to fight back tears while reading it aloud to my kids. Definitely go for the hardcover edition

This was a Christmas present for my grandson. I read it first at school. A very powerful story in graphic novel form by the author of the Artemis Fowl series.

It's a beautiful book. So glad I bought it.

Brilliant book, read this with my autistic son as his year 6 study. Lots of opportunities to explore the themes of the book, nice pictures that helped him understand the story. Kept us both interested and allowed us to work on empathy, emotions, economics, travel and much more (we home school). Great book! Recommending to everyone.

I very much like the idea. The story is very simply told and is designed almost as a "lesson" on how tough the journey is for many immigrants. There are no subtleties and it's presumably aimed at kids/teenagers but is also very hard-hitting (so not suitable for kids). Graphics are well drawn but also designed to portray the grimness of the situation and therefore not appealing or suitable for kids. I had intended to give it to an 11 yr old but decided it wasn't appropriate.

This soberly told, yet inspiring tale offers a very human perspective on how a boy comes to take great risks to reach a better life on a far away continent.It is entirely based in reality and is clearly a valuable resource for young readers. It pulls no punches in tastefully depicting the dangers and tragedies that must be overcome, offering many opportunities to examine not only the emotions of the journey, but our own feelings on the situations involved.This comes from creators of great pedigree, with much past success to recommend them.

It is not often that I read a book that grabs you by the scruff of the neck and immerses you in a world that you only hear about in the news. The story challenges us to see illegal immigrants through their eyes, rather than through the suspicious, judgemental eyes of the UK mainstream media. The book skilfully shows us that illegal immigrants are not 'cockroaches' as one right-wing columnist wrote (I can't even bear to say her name!), but real human beings. After reading this book, you will see Christmas in a new light. Inspiring, thought-provoking and challenging, it is a book that stays with you and reminds you how lucky we in the UK are.

My boy loves to read English Novels and he came to know through his friend circle and bought it, no disappointments, good book to read :)