The Soup Movement

This book made me laugh and cry. The author sends a strong and inspiring message yet shares joy grief and pain in the process. You will never forget this story of how to spread forever.

Heartbreaking and sad, hopeful in the worst of times

I love this book, it was fun to read and ended with an amazing message.

It is a nice book. It shows to be kind and I liked it when he gave the homeless man the soup. I like Jordan's character. I would recommend this to someone else.

Loved the story. Loved the writing. Loved the characters. Loved the idea of the mitvahs… Wonder if Ben Davis’ other books are just as good? 📚

Wow! I loved reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It made me laugh and cry.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. In fact, I already have!
I wasn't expecting the themes to be as emotional but I think it is important and teaches us empathy. It takes you on a wonderful heart-breaking journey and it makes you want to be kind and do good deeds!
Thank you Ben for writing an incredible book.

It is wonderful and sweet and great for bringing the topic of cancer to the discussion table.
It also gives children ideas of how to express empathy, think of others, and be kind.
I liked Rio as she is free-spirited but still has lots of human traits.

I found this an extremly significant book to read as it showed me how homeless people are in need and how a small act of kindness can go a long way.This book also showed me how scary cancer is and how we can help people or kids who have it and are going through a tough time.
My favourite character in this book is Rio as she is so kind-hearted and is always ready to do things for anyone in need no matter the challenge.
She is such an inspiration to people and that is why I would absolutely recommend this book as a must read.

This fictional book, which is based on a true story, really pulls on your heartstrings. This is such an inspiring read.

Too long but entertaining. Definitely a good transition read for 11-13 year old children .

This was a hilarious and heartfelt story and my favourite character was Abi. However I was slightly dissatisfied by a rather depressing twist at the end which kind of ruined the book.

A lot of drama

It was just amazing, very sad at times however extremely moving. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books that are realistic and relating to the characters.

A heartwarming tale of friendship and compassion; a small act of kindness can radiate outwards in unexpected ways . The teenage characters are believable & relatable . The story is told with humour and sensitivity.

It was nice and relaxing. I really enjoyed it.

Jordan is trying to adjust to life in a new town following a life-changing illness. After promising a friend to always help others, Jordan finds himself drawn into helping the local homeless community through donations of homemade soup. As the movement gathers pace, Jordan has to face up to his own struggles as well as the barriers others try to put in his way. A real tear-jerker full of heart and warmth.

Beautifully written. Easy read with deep, mature themes. Heartwarming and thought provoking

Jordan has a lot going on in his life. He’s recovering from cancer and his parents have moved the family out from London to the suburban backwater of Pondstead. He’s trying to fit in to his new school and make friends but is not helped in this endeavour by his over-protective mum who keeps on embarrassing him. One day he is asked to go to the chippy with potential new mates, so he has to offload the “wholesome” soup his mum has provided. He gives it to a homeless man in the park, Harry, and so begins an unusual friendship. This act also fulfils a pact Jordan made with his friend, Rio to carry out acts of kindness whenever they could.
Jordan’s older sister, Abi is building a reputation on social media as an influencer and she gets involved with the soup project, extending its reach and telling the stories of the homeless in Pondstead.
This book raises many different issues including social responsibility, family relationships, homelessness, PTSD and serious illness. However, it does so with a light touch and elements of humour and is fundamentally about kindness. It’s also an enjoyable and heartfelt story.
In the introduction to the book, Ben Davis says the book is in part about everyone being able to make a difference in the world. “It’s about being as kind as you can and it’s about seeking that feeling , the one that you get when you know you’ve done a good thing, that’s as warm and satisfying as a bowl of delicious soup.”

This book is a beautiful and emotive story. It needs a disclaimer to say that you must have tissues at the ready - I sobbed, with both joy and heartbreak. Just wow! What a book.

This book is a mixture of a story and a blog written by Jordan, a boy who is receiving treatment for cancer. His family move to the countryside from the city as Jordan’s Mum believes it is healthier for everyone. The story part of the book is about how Jordan struggles to fit into school life and how he feels different from everyone else whilst his Mum wraps him in cotton wool and will not let him do many things. Jordan is even given homemade soup everyday for lunch as it is wholesome for him. When a group of boys invite him to the chip shop at lunchtime Jordan manages to leave his flask of soup outside the tent of a homeless man. It is a small act of kindness that changes everything in as much as the soup movement for the homeless begins, Jordan is spared embarrassment and is accepted by other children in his new school. With the help of Jordan’s sister and Instagram the soup movement gathers momentum and sweeps the country, new friendships are made and new opportunities present themselves to Jordan and his family. The blog part of the book is similar to a diary that Jordan writes whilst he is hospital coping with his treatment and how he forms a strong bond with another cancer patient called Rio. He makes a promise to Rio that he tries to keep at all costs. This is a lovely book about the very sensitive subjects of cancer, homelessness and unemployment. It also shows us how a little kindness is infectious and can make many people happy.

I was inspired to read this book after hearing the author read a small part. I thought it sounded like a good book to inspire our key stage 2 children - so I set about reading it before I recommend. Review: This book is an emotional rollercoaster that follows the life of Jordan (some chapters are about the present, while others are extracts from his diary when he is in hospital having treatment for cancer) It is while he is in hospital that he meets Rio who inspires him to do a year of Mitzvah’s (acts of kindness) to make the world a better place. The pair going on a range of adventures doing their mitzvah’s sometimes getting in to trouble on the way. But it is an inspiration- throughout the story you sense things aren’t always going to turn out well but there are a number of twists that you don’t see coming and things at the end took me by surprise. I laughed along with Jordan, Rio and Harry but I also cried (a lot) There are some really vivid images that are conjured up of cancer treatment, homelessness, war and how life’s events can impact us in ways we don’t realise. I feel that this really is an important story for children - probably upper KS2/KS3 It can inspire a generation that are already doing so much more to help others. Jordan’s one simple act of giving away his soup turns in to so much more a real ripple effect of kindness, friendship and community. Read this book yourself and the. Share it with the children in your lives!