The Homeward Bounders

Name: The Homeward Bounders
ISBN: 9780688006785

by Diana Wynne Jones

Jamie discovers mysterious entities playing a game with the world, leading him to become a 'Homeward Bounder' who must travel endlessly through parallel universes. He seeks his way home while encounte

About This Book

In Diana Wynne Jones's intricate fantasy, 'The Homeward Bounders,' 12-year-old Jamie stumbles upon a dark secret: powerful, demonic beings are playing a game with entire worlds. As punishment for his discovery, Jamie is cursed to be a 'Homeward Bounder,' an immortal traveler who must endlessly jump between parallel universes, forbidden to interfere with 'Play' and unable to die. His quest is to find his original home, a task complicated by the passage of time in his own world. Along his journey, he befriends other Bounders, including the Flying Dutchman and Prometheus, and eventually rallies them to confront 'Them.' This book explores profound themes of loss, resilience, identity, and the search for belonging, wrapped in a complex, fast-paced adventure suitable for mature middle-grade readers.

Once he becomes a pawn in a game played by a powerful group he calls them, 12-year-old Jamie is repeatedly catapulted through space and time.

Concepts

Loneliness & Belonging Resilience & Perseverance Fear & Bravery Justice & Fairness Good vs. Evil Curiosity & Wonder Self-Confidence & Identity Sadness & Grief Friendship & Loyalty Freedom & Independence Teamwork & Collaboration Being Different Death of a Loved One Growing Up Fairy Tales & Mythology Friendship & Social Adventure

Heads up, parents

Scary Scenes

peril_danger

Character Death

mental_health_themes

Discussion Prompts

If you were a Homeward Bounder, what kind of worlds would you hope to visit, and what would be the hardest part of your journey?

Jamie meets figures like the Flying Dutchman and Prometheus. What other legendary characters do you think he might encounter, and how would they help or hinder him?

The 'Them' play games with worlds. What do you think motivates them, and how does Jamie's fight against them reflect real-world struggles for freedom?

Jamie experiences profound loss when he realizes his home world has moved on without him. How do you think he copes with this, and what does it teach us about change and acceptance?

The book explores the idea of not interfering with 'Play.' When do you think it's right to follow rules, and when is it important to break them for a greater good?

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