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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
Part of my 2015 Reading Recap on the blog: http://carolynedineen.weebly.com/blog/2015-reading-recap
Initial thoughts: Gorgeous read exploring what happens when 13-yr old Joe's Mum and her boyfriend go off to Spain, leaving him on his own for a week. Presenting poverty, neglect and other social issues without flinching, yet managing to do so with warmth and humour, this is an excellent read which tugs at the heartstrings without ever feeling heavy.
Joanna Nadin’s Joe All Alone focuses on 13 year old Joe, whose mother goes away on holiday for a week with her boyfriend (of whom Joe is not a fan), leaving him to look after himself. Relatively gritty from the start for a MG book, this brilliantly executed story explores poverty, neglect and the complexities of family life.
I loved Joe and really got engaged in his adventures, willing him on and hoping for things to work out for him. The book introduces a range of vivid and interesting characters and something that I really admired about it was the way it successfully combines realism and hope. With a 13 year old protagonist, the book is clearly aimed at the MG set and I think it offers this age group the perfect blend of (at times) hard realism and hope in friendship and humanity generally. Painful at times but a rewarding and enjoyable read, I’m absolutely recommending this, particularly to those readers who often find themselves between the 9-12 and teen/YA shelves.
Joanna Nadin’s Joe All Alone focuses on 13 year old Joe, whose mother goes away on holiday for a week with her boyfriend (of whom Joe is not a fan), leaving him to look after himself. Relatively gritty from the start for a MG book, this brilliantly executed story explores poverty, neglect and the complexities of family life.
I loved Joe and really got engaged in his adventures, willing him on and hoping for things to work out for him. The book introduces a range of vivid and interesting characters and something that I really admired about it was the way it successfully combines realism and hope. With a 13 year old protagonist, the book is clearly aimed at the MG set and I think it offers this age group the perfect blend of (at times) hard realism and hope in friendship and humanity generally. Painful at times but a rewarding and enjoyable read, I’m absolutely recommending this, particularly to those readers who often find themselves between the 9-12 and teen/YA shelves.
This was an interesting read, not as good as Home Alone, and a bit younger than I expected, but it was alright. I liked Joe, I thought he was sweet and didn't deserve to be left alone for a week, because he didn't seem old enough to handle it. I just wanted to pat him on the head and say "there there".