The Freezies by Farrukh Dhondy
My take on the book:
Kai Armstrong(Kai), Suleikha (Sully) and Leonard(Leo) referred to themselves as Freezies as they have been frozen out of the popular groups at school. When an old battered school bus with a trailer attached arrived in their village Jolyton, parked on the open green Mead, the residents of the village turn hostile towards the owner of the bus — Mr Christaki. Multiple attempts are made to evacuate the stranger, but Leo’s parents allow Mr Christaki to park his bus in their garden.
Christaki initially bought old musical instruments from flea markets, repaired them and sold them as seconds, but slowly started repairing all sorts of items for Leo’s family. He later on started teaching musical instruments to the Freezies and was also invited by their school to teach the chorus for a Christmas school play. Christaki renovated the Water Meadow House and stayed there, brought home a four-year-old girl Miriam during his last visit to London and slowly became part of the small community.
Just as Christaki seemed to have settled down in Jolyton, he and Miriam go missing one day. Will the Freezies be able to find the reason behind Christaki’s disappearance and will he return back to Jolyton forms the rest of the story.
Set in a fictional quaint Britain village, Freezies narrates the story of three best friends and how their life changes with the arrival of a stranger. The story begins slowly introducing the three friends, their parents and backgrounds, but picks pace once Christaki starts getting involved in their lives in multiple ways. I loved the story being narrated from POVs of the three kids, alternating between each of them, giving the story varied nuances.
I liked the backdrop of a small village as it gave the story old-world-charm that we miss around us now. The fact that everyone knew everyone else in such small places meant people looked out for others but also involved local politics and people plotting against each other. The three kids are smart, and mature beyond their age but are also naughty at times.
The author maintains the mystery around Christaki’s character till the end which keeps the reader intrigued. In Young Adult fiction, we often see either fantasy or high school romance; this story is such a fresh idea — that YA fiction can be about kindness, immigration and journalism. The underlying theme of the kids’ talent in music gels well with the narration.
Pick this one for the message on prejudice is subtle but effective.
My rating:
4.5/5.