Overview

The Bonds of Brotherhood begins with an act of vandalism at a prestigious English private school. A statue in honor of the school's founder is defaced, sparking the curiosity of a group of perceptive ninth graders. Was this a routine property crime, or a political statement gone wrong? This is a fresh take on the classic boarding school novel. Stimulating critical thinking for teenagers in an age of cancel culture, the tale is told with gentleness and plenty of humor. The British boarding school setting is the perfect environment to critique elitism and pomposity, and to revisit some of the darker shadows of history. Underneath this story is the biblical notion of our shared value and humanity. Important motifs about inequality, slavery, exclusion, and bullying pervade the text. Strong Christian voices come from the main protagonist, Edwin Fothergill, and the school's chaplain; goodness, generosity, and kindness prevail.

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9781666778960

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Reviews

"""The Bonds of Brotherhood normalizes the faith experience of young adults and gets readers thinking about friendship, privilege, faith, diversity, and social justice."" --Susan Bazzana, head, St Martin's College, Charles Sturt University ""An adventure that draws you in, gently unravelling the dark history of the British Empire and exposing the rhetoric used to justify the past."" --Sue Pickering, minister, Saint Andrew's Uniting Church ""This book offers a poignant portrayal of friendship amidst the backdrop of the effects of colonization. Seamlessly weaving in British and world history, The Bonds of Brotherhood offers a powerful reflection on how friendship can serve as a guiding force in navigating many of the moral dilemmas of the postcolonial era."" --Oskar Pinz, teacher, Nanjing International School ""Story and narrative have been used so effectively through the ages to tackle the big issues. Bob Mitchell has given a portal to younger readers to start to tackle modern slavery. The story of two Year Nine students trying to solve the mystery of what looks like vandalism at their elite private school, ends up with them discovering that it is a political action highlighting historical slavery. Like a lotus flower unfolding in the light, the novel reveals a rich spirituality in their journey."" --Fuzz Kitto, co-director, Be Slavery Free ""The Bonds of Brotherhood is a wonderful story of intrigue, suspense, drama, humor, and a touch of cheek. A good story evokes a myriad of emotions in the reader, and this story does just that. I would highly recommend this novel for any teenager trying to find their way through the multitude of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that being a teenager entails. It comes across as highly accessible, mature, and evoking a sense of goodness that this world needs more of."" --Nils von Kalm, author of Bending towards Justice ""Bob Mitchell's debut novel is a wonderful story that will gently guide teenagers thinking about values, character, ethics, and maturity. The characters come to life as they deal with a range of issues. There is humor and emotion in an engaging story. I am delighted to commend this book."" --Paul Barker, Anglican bishop, Melbourne, Australia"

"""The Bonds of Brotherhood normalizes the faith experience of young adults and gets readers thinking about friendship, privilege, faith, diversity, and social justice."" --Susan Bazzana, head, St Martin's College, Charles Sturt University ""An adventure that draws you in, gently unravelling the dark history of the British Empire and exposing the rhetoric used to justify the past."" --Sue Pickering, minister, Saint Andrew's Uniting Church ""This book offers a poignant portrayal of friendship amidst the backdrop of the effects of colonization. Seamlessly weaving in British and world history, The Bonds of Brotherhood offers a powerful reflection on how friendship can serve as a guiding force in navigating many of the moral dilemmas of the postcolonial era."" --Oskar Pinz, teacher, Nanjing International School ""Story and narrative have been used so effectively through the ages to tackle the big issues. Bob Mitchell has given a portal to younger readers to start to tackle modern slavery. The story of two Year Nine students trying to solve the mystery of what looks like vandalism at their elite private school, ends up with them discovering that it is a political action highlighting historical slavery. Like a lotus flower unfolding in the light, the novel reveals a rich spirituality in their journey."" --Fuzz Kitto, co-director, Be Slavery Free ""The Bonds of Brotherhood is a wonderful story of intrigue, suspense, drama, humor, and a touch of cheek. A good story evokes a myriad of emotions in the reader, and this story does just that. I would highly recommend this novel for any teenager trying to find their way through the multitude of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that being a teenager entails. It comes across as highly accessible, mature, and evoking a sense of goodness that this world needs more of."" --Nils von Kalm, author of Bending towards Justice ""Bob Mitchell's debut novel is a wonderful story that will gently guide teenagers thinking about values, character, ethics, and maturity. The characters come to life as they deal with a range of issues. There is humor and emotion in an engaging story. I am delighted to commend this book."" --Paul Barker, Anglican bishop, Melbourne, Australia"

"""The Bonds of Brotherhood normalizes the faith experience of young adults and gets readers thinking about friendship, privilege, faith, diversity, and social justice."" --Susan Bazzana, head, St Martin's College, Charles Sturt University ""An adventure that draws you in, gently unravelling the dark history of the British Empire and exposing the rhetoric used to justify the past."" --Sue Pickering, minister, Saint Andrew's Uniting Church ""This book offers a poignant portrayal of friendship amidst the backdrop of the effects of colonization. Seamlessly weaving in British and world history, The Bonds of Brotherhood offers a powerful reflection on how friendship can serve as a guiding force in navigating many of the moral dilemmas of the postcolonial era."" --Oskar Pinz, teacher, Nanjing International School ""Story and narrative have been used so effectively through the ages to tackle the big issues. Bob Mitchell has given a portal to younger readers to start to tackle modern slavery. The story of two Year Nine students trying to solve the mystery of what looks like vandalism at their elite private school, ends up with them discovering that it is a political action highlighting historical slavery. Like a lotus flower unfolding in the light, the novel reveals a rich spirituality in their journey."" --Fuzz Kitto, co-director, Be Slavery Free ""The Bonds of Brotherhood is a wonderful story of intrigue, suspense, drama, humor, and a touch of cheek. A good story evokes a myriad of emotions in the reader, and this story does just that. I would highly recommend this novel for any teenager trying to find their way through the multitude of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that being a teenager entails. It comes across as highly accessible, mature, and evoking a sense of goodness that this world needs more of."" --Nils von Kalm, author of Bending towards Justice ""Bob Mitchell's debut novel is a wonderful story that will gently guide teenagers thinking about values, character, ethics, and maturity. The characters come to life as they deal with a range of issues. There is humor and emotion in an engaging story. I am delighted to commend this book."" --Paul Barker, Anglican bishop, Melbourne, Australia Review of The Bonds of Brotherhood"

Author Information

Bob Mitchell is based in Melbourne, Australia, with a professional background spanning law, theology, and community development. As an Anglican minister with an emerging passion for creative writing, he aims to encourage critical thinking in younger people who are navigating a world full of ethical challenges. His chosen vehicle is humor, strong narrative and inspiring characters. Bob is also the author of Faith-Based Development (2017).

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