Benny and Omar

De: Eoin Colfer

Narrado por: Euan Morton

Two very different cultures collide in this hilarious audiobook about a young sports fanatic named Benny who is forced to leave his home in Ireland and move with his family to Tunisia. He wonders how he will survive in such an unfamiliar place. Then he teams up with wild and resourceful Omar, and a madcap friendship between the two boys leads to trouble, escapades, a unique way of communication, and, ultimately, a heartbreaking challenge.©2007 Eoin Colfer (P)2007 Scholastic Inc.

A Story of Friendship

This was a touching story about a selfish boy from Ireland who moves to Tunisia with his family (against his will) and meets a poor African boy who changes his life.

Modern Coming of Age Story

Great book. My son (a 13 year old boy more interested in sports than books) and I are hooked on this story. I thought he wouldn't like it but it is a great book.

This is a great audiobook because the narrator must use numerous voices and accents and does a very decent job of it. The author does a great job of recreating parental lectures and child/parent arguments - my son and I look at each other and laugh because they are so familiar.

The book is well-written, very funny and yet poignant. It's a pleasure to listen to - although Benny can be sarcastic and rude, listening to life from the perspective of a 12 year old is very funny. Eoin Colfer must have sons of his own.

We have about 40 minutes to go to finish the book but, as a parent, the theme is about maturity and decisions that young people must make.

Benny thinks he has adults figured out and is always thinking two steps ahead of them. His parents are frustrated and want him to understand their perspective and, in essance, be mature. Lectures, lessons and chores do not work but a dose of Tunesian reality does.

In rereading this, I make the book sound dull and simple but the book is not preachy while making an effective point to the listener. I strongly recommend it.