The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket

Written by John Boyne · Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

A boy defies gravity, embarking on a global journey to discover his true self.

3.9 Goodreads · 6,163 ratings

288 pages· 980L

$7.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Eight-year-old Barnaby Brocket defies gravity, much to his parents' dismay. When an unexpected event propels him on a worldwide adventure, Barnaby encounters diverse characters from Brazil to space. As he floats through life, he must confront what it means to be different and find his place in a world that demands conformity. Will Barnaby embrace his uniqueness or succumb to the pressure of being 'normal'? This whimsical tale invites readers to explore the true meaning of identity and acceptance.

From the publisher

Barnaby Brocket is an ordinary 8-year-old boy in most ways, but he was born different in one important way: he floats. Unlike everyone else, Barnaby does not obey the law of gravity. His parents, who have a horror of being noticed, want desperately for Barnaby to be normal, but he can’t help who he is. And when the unthinkable happens, Barnaby finds himself on a journey that takes him all over the world. From Brazil to New York, Canada to Ireland, and even to space, the floating boy meets all sorts of different people–and discovers who he really is along the way. This whimsical novel will delight middle graders, and make readers of all ages question the meaning of normal.

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