A thrilling adventure, The 1,000 year old boy examines the brutal reality of what living forever would entail. Everything from watching those you care about die, to the physical complaints of worn down teeth and being stuck in a body that will never grow up.

When a tragic accident strikes Alfie’s life, he suddenly finds himself totally alone, until he meets Aiden and Roxy. But when they uncover the truth - that Alfie is no normal eleven-year-old, but actually over 1,000 years old - they vow to help him find a way to return to normal. But bad people are after the secrets Alfie holds, secrets that might just cost him - and his friends - their mortal lives to protect …

Ross Welford never fails to wow me with his books. Although I always give him extra points since his stories are set within the North-East of England, in and around the area I grew up. I can’t tell you how nice it is to read about places I know and love so well! With that in mind, this books gets an automatic 5 stars for setting.

Told from the POV of two characters, the reader really gets a sharp comparison between the two storytellers. First there is Alfie (the 1000 year old boy) who is lonely, terrified by technology and annoyed by the inaccuracy if history. Then there is Aidan, a modern day pre-teen who soon realizes his own problems really aren’t that big after all.

Through their journey they are accompanied by their friend, Roxy who - despite not getting her own POV - dazzles upon every page with her strong words and personality. She really was a character I adored!

Together the three of them set out on an incredible adventure that was full of imagination and ingenuity. Like all Ross Welford’s books, this story was set in modern reality, with just enough magic to still remain in the realms of plausibility. It’s a huge “what if…” sort of story and will leave you pondering possibilities long after you turn the last page.

4 Stars!

I really enjoyed this story! I have to first state, I am an adult woman and definitely not the recommended audience, but I absolutely loved it. Taking into account the fact that this is a middle-grade read, the writing isn't fantastic, but captivating enough for the age range and the story isn't anything hugely different or special, but it is the kind of warm story that leaves a big smile on your face. I'll be reading this to everyone in my class at school, and nephews/nieces at home.

I fell in love with Alfie almost instantly.  I mean, what's not to love? He has all the charm and wisdom of an old man (okay, a seriously old man) but still has the spirit and the passion of an 11 year-old.  His situation is one that would soften the heart of the hardiest of readers; he is desperate to be able to grow-up with friends.  He can make friends and has a lot of fun with them, but they age and he doesn't and inevitably he loses them. I just wanted to give him a hug.

As if his story didn't endear him enough to me, Ross Welford then allows a fire to destroy Alfie's life further.  However, Ross can be forgiven but this narrative development allows Alfie to make friends with Aidan and Roxy.  This trio then tries to find a way to help Alfie to grow older.

This MG book has adventure, humour and a lot of heart.  Another fantastic read from Ross Welford and one I will definitely be recommending.

As a teacher (and adult) I really enjoyed this book.

Alfie is a ‘neverdead’ who you like as a character very quickly (along with his friends, especially Roxy!) The twist and turns keeps it interesting and I can imagine children in my Year 5 class enjoying it. The vocabulary used will challenge most children aged 9+ but not deter them from reading it. This book will definitely be finding its way into my classroom.

The 1000 yr old boy

I’ll admit that I don’t read an awful lot of fiction aimed at children and young adults, but I loved time travelling with a hamster so was very eager to read this.

I was not disappointed, what a fantastically charming and delightful tale of a boy who lived for a 1000 yrs. I look forward to my daughter being old enough to enjoy stories like this.

From strength to strength - intelligent and thoughtful writing for young people that covers big issues.

From time travel and dead parents, to invisibility and bullying, now to a long life and issues of not dying.... Welford doesn’t shy away from offering primary and secondary readers a wealth of adult issues through pre-adolescent protagonists.

Like a juvenile ‘How to Stop Time’, Welford’s main character is not ageing (at all). He and his mother, in the times of Viking invasion, both used a mythical ‘pill’ that stopped them ageing, and barring accident - stopped them from dying.

Fast forward ten centuries and they continue to live on in the twenty-first century, and we pick up the story when Alfie meets two children curious about him and his isolated home in the woods.

With an exciting plot that sees a possible old enemy after Alfie, the book gives plenty of time over to letting Alfie tell us about his experiences and how he feels about living on past his natural lifespan.

I loved this, as I have with Welford’s previous two novels for children. It doesn’t talk down to the audience, these books always contain dark aspects (death and bereavement, loneliness and isolation). I did feel the lack of Alfie’s frustrations over never growing up (like Claudia, the young vampire in Interview with a Vampire), but for the audience, it wouldn’t be something they would consider as important.

Alfie talks like an old man in a boy’s body, he’s funny. His new friends Aidan and Roxie feel like real people with backstories and families. The story does become an adventure tale, and will be one book club members or students in school will want to come in and talk about.

One for ages 9 and above.

With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy, sent for review purposes.