The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling by Cara Thurlbourn: Homeless and desperate, Freddie lucks out one dreary 
night as a family leaves their house to go on a holiday they have won. As he watches the frantic minutes prior to them leaving, the eldest daughter Violet stops to rummage through her backpack in search of something, not realising she hasn’t closed the front door properly. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a notepad has fallen out of Violet’s bag blocking the door and without any real intention, Freddie finds himself inside their home, dry and warm for the first time in what feels like years.
Dressing in one of Peter’s suits, Freddie realises that city folk tend to be more generous to a well dressed person who spins a weave about forgetting their wallet rather than someone who fits the homeless bill, and in a short span of time, Freddie realises he can make enough money in three weeks to potentially get a place of his own – what he ultimately needs to secure a job so he can get his life back on track.
Unfortunately however, a skiing accident brings the family home early and Freddie is forced to flee up into the attic in silence, until one night he rescues Violet from a potential date-rape situation. As one kind gesture leads to another, Violet and Freddie develop a cute routine and a strong friendship until Freddie’s past catches up with him threatening everything that has helped him believe in himself again.
The youthful narrative voice and the young adult energy were the perfect overlay for some fairly serious social issues and the inherent tragedy that sat beneath the story. From beginning to end, the friendship that blossomed between Violet and Freddie was beautifully sweet, yet also had a crazy element of realism, which was ironic given the way our two heroes met and ended up becoming friends. Violets’ high school experience, the dysfunction in her family and her identity struggles were juxtaposed beautifully against Freddie, who had a fairly clear perception of himself and certainly his place in the world.
Naturally, Freddie’s experiences of living on the streets added a level of humility that doesn’t seem to exist for many today and this was without doubt one of the winning elements of the novel. For a small novel, there were no punches pulled and every action kernel was perfectly timed to add the necessary layers prior to the big reveal.
The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling is a fantastic young adult novel that was bursting with romantic magical realism, and for those who love a happily ever after, this definitely won’t disappoint.
Book Info:
Publication: 8th July 2021 | Wise Wolf Books |
Freddie’s life isn’t like it used to be – he’s alone, homeless, and carrying a secret that threatens to swallow him up. Every day is a struggle, until he meets Violet Johnson.
Violet’s life is going down-hill. Her parents argue, her little brother’s stopped speaking, and she’s about to move schools. She used to be popular, she used to be happy, but now she feels as though that is all slipping away.
Having to grow up quickly and find their way in the world, Freddie and Violet grow closer despite their differences.
Focusing on everyday issues faced by teens and young adults, The Boy Who Lived in The Ceiling will leave you asking: Are some people invisible to us?
