Anton dreams of being able to do as his family had planned, and travel from a broken land to a new one, where it's possible to prosper and grow.
But Anton is an orphan -- his father killed in war and his mother recently drowned.
Through a series of incidents, Anton escapes from what looks like being a dark future at Wolfdog Hall, and crosses paths with Max and his mother.
There are moments of sadness and humour.
Although short, with themes that include loneliness, grief, being different, and hope, A Different Boy is a story that is probably best read by slightly older children, or jointly with parents, so it can be discussed.
Paul Jennings is at his best with A Different Boy, which is is full of plot twists and surprises.
You will find yourself uncertain of just what is going on, right up until the very end. I certainly didn't guess the final secret that is revealed.
You can listen to Paul Jennings reading an excerpt from A Different Boy and download teacher's notes from the book's page on the Allen & Unwin website.
A Different Boy was longlisted for the 2019 Carnegie Medal.
Title: A Different Boy
Author: Paul Jennings
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $14.99
Publication Date: 2018
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760523503
For ages: 10--14 years
Type: Junior fiction