The Bubble Boy is a very sweet read about Joe, who has never left his London hospital room because of a deadly autoimmune disease, so he spends his days chatting online and watching superhero movies. That is, until new nurse Amir comes into his life and things start to change. This book is compelling and sweet, and also vastly hopeful. Although Joe’s situation is hard, Foster creates a full world around him and explores his loneliness and frustrations whilst never losing sight of the importance of hope and curiosity in the world. A beautiful read.

Isobel Moore is the Children’s Book Buyer at Readings St Kilda.