The book might also encourage students to learn more about the environmental impact of these very real sites. As we encourage our students to be more globally aware, Trash could be used to spark discussion about living conditions in developing countries and possibly as in impetus for our students to affect change. This book will be eye-opening for those of our students who are born into a life of privilege. At first solving the mystery is a matter of survival, but eventually the boys realize that they are compelled to right a wrong that occurred before they were born. The boys do find compassionate people who play a role is helping them solve the mystery.

They all must take drastic measures just to survive in the harsh environment which surrounds them. Gardo takes the leadership role and gives the others strength. Rat (Jun-Jun) is completely alone in the world, living in the midst of filth and trash with the rats as company. The authorities are brutal with Raphael as they interrogate him.

This book is definitely not for younger students, even though young children are the protagonists. Mulligan said, “Behala dumpsite is based loosely on a place I visited whilst living in Manila.” Here is what he had to say about the book: Here I confess that I broke out of my normal routine and skipped to the acknowledgements at the end.

The conditions of squalor in which the characters live are so extreme, how could I think otherwise? Then I started thinking about my trip to Ghana several years ago, and I connected some of the scenes described in the book with some of the poverty stricken areas I had visited then. It took me several chapters to realize I wasn’t reading dystopian science fiction. I rarely read the summaries or reviews before I read the book. My Two Cents: When I choose a book to read I intentionally try to not know much about it. Recommended for: Grades 6 and up, readers who like dramatic stories, readers who like a lot of action, readers who like mystery, inquiry projects for social awareness or environmental issues, discussing character perspective Themes/Content: Poverty, trash, waste, money, corruption, power, survival, courage, fear, friendship, education, codes, standards of living, character perspective, environment, greed Soon all three are running from the police and desperately trying to solve the mystery of why the bag is so important to the authorities. The lives of three “dumpsite boys” become forever entwined when one day Raphael discovers a bag containing a wallet, a map, and a key.

Trash andy mulligan book review