In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city. One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong. Andy Mulligan has written a powerful story about unthinkable poverty—and the kind of hope and determination that can transcend it. With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel. "Rafael" read by Chris Nuñez "Olivia" read by Elissa Steele "Rat" ("Jun") read by Everette Plen "Gardo" read by Ramon DeOcampo "Father Juillard" and "Jose Angelico" read by Fred Sanders "Frederico Gonz" read by Ozzie Rodriguez "Grace" read by Michelle Gonzalez
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"At first, I thought I was going to be proud because a writer made Philippines his main concept but then when I was turning the pages as I read on, I felt humiliated at first, but when I came to understand his point, I really took back my anguish towards the book because the book really shows the situation in the Philippines, I am a Filipino so i can really understand his point. and that's the bigger part of my inclination towards this book but the small part was the adventure theme, I really esteemed how Andy linked the adventure to the social calamities in our homeland. And the three dump-site boys really represented every Filipino not as a dirty man, although some of my fellow countrymen are indeed dirty inside and out, but as a man with justice in every part of our body that seems to run through our veins like it makes our body move and makes us alive and like the boys, Filipinos are endless dreamers wherein they didn't want their dreams to be dreams forever, we want to make it happen without doing any harm to others. And even street children or dump-site boys have their own dreams and also have their own sense of justice towards what's right and wrong just like I said, every Filipino has it. I really love this book! and I learned a lot from it. May other people be inspired as I am with it!"
— Gabriel (5 out of 5 stars)
" I bought this book for my daughter and decided to read it myself as she was really impressed with it. It's a wonderful story about 3 boys who live and work on a rubbish tip. One day they find something which turns their world and life as they know it upside down. Taking them on a dangerous and thrilling adventure. A wonderful read for all ages. "
— Kerry, 2/20/2014" The beginning of the book was very well written and I was into the book, however as the storyline progressed, I just got confused. It was the first time in a long time that I just wanted to stop reading a book. "
— Jen, 2/17/2014" This book has an interesting plot, but it wasn't cohesive enough for me. It's told from multiple perspectives and randomly inserts a different type of print to make it not just a first person narrative. However, the voices aren't nearly distinct enough and the non-narrative pieces to few and far between. I had higher hopes. It was okay. "
— Bridget, 2/16/2014" Interesting story - told from several points of view. Three boys who live on a garbage dump find something valuable in the trash - the find involves corruption, murder, and scandal: they are not the only ones after the package. Set in a fictional version of the Philippines (although the country is never named). A good read for high school students. "
— Arlie, 1/28/2014" This was a great mystery. I had a hard time with the setting in the beginning because I cannot imagine people living the way that they do in the book. (Adults, if you've seen "Slum-Dog Millionaire," this is the same setting.) These kids live at the city landfill and come across a piece of trash that can change their lives. You must read it to see if they can and do get out of the dump! "
— Jessica, 1/21/2014" Lots of levels to this fast-paced adventure of trash dwellers in a developing country. Who/what is "disposable" in our world? "
— Maribeth, 1/14/2014" Its is about how 3 kids find somthing in a trash site and it is a key to 6 million dollars and one of the kids get taken by the police and is being tortured to get that key because it belongs to the vice president "
— Devin, 1/3/2014" This is a truly wonderful book, very touching, exciting and thrilling, but over all just one of the best books I have ever read. I loved how the book seemed to be written by different people at there point of view. But over all, this is brilliant, I highly recommend it. "
— Aldo, 12/6/2013" RAP 2012-2013 Book I liked this one. It had a lot of suspense. I enjoyed how you got each character's viewpoint. However, I could see how that would be confusing at times. I was expecting a little more bang at the end of the book... "
— Kathleen, 11/28/2013" A very touching novel, gives readers a better insight of child labour and dump site families. "
— Jasmine, 5/17/2013" It liked it. The description and narration was really good. the book gives you an idea of what life is like when you are poor and it teaches you to be grateful for what you have "
— Vishala, 12/27/2012" Part Slumdog, part Millions, part City of God, all action, and utterly compelling. "
— Dan, 8/5/2012" Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2011-2012 "
— Marla, 7/28/2012" This is a good mystery that would be well-liked by my junior high students. It seems a bit too young for high school. "
— Dee, 4/23/2012" This book just makes you stop and think. It's so sad to think that people - kids - actually live like this! "
— Julie, 4/19/2012" Fun, fast-paced mystery. Perhaps more suited for reluctant high school readers or the middle school level. "
— alexandra, 1/13/2012" Well written-- fast paced action. Took me to third world locale and to a place I had never read about before. "
— Michelle, 8/29/2011" Wanted it to be better, but certainly a refreshingly different setting (extreme poverty living in and off mountainous garbage dump). "
— Gmit, 6/24/2011" I give 2 stars for the audio--one narrator used a zha zha gabor accent that was out of place, even though the setting was not specified. Did not like many narrators--I prefer one narrator to do all the voices. Good for younger teens. "
— Wendy, 6/24/2011" I finished this book in a day. It was a great story but not worth a reread as once the ending was reviled it ruins the story. "
— Danielle, 6/23/2011" Best book I've read for kids in a long while. Absolutely amazing! "
— Cindy, 6/4/2011" Grim story of three trash picker boys in a third world country. Their fortunes turn when they find a wallet filled with money, a cryptic letter and other items. Police brutality and the starkness of poverty reign for a good part of the book. "
— Sharon, 5/24/2011" A good one for teens looking for a book for novel studies or on global issues. Not as depressing at Libertad and the're enough suspense and mystery to keep the reader engaged. "
— Melanie, 5/10/2011Andy Mulligan was brought up in South London. He worked as a theater director for ten years before travels in Asia prompted him to retrain as a teacher. He has taught English and drama in Britain, India, Brazil, and the Philippines. He now divides his time between London and Manila.
Bleak December Inc. is a multimedia company founded by Canadian actor and filmmaker Anthony D.P. Mann.