From then on, I collected sentences like other people collect keyrings. I searched for them everywhere . . .
Jodie Jones is obsessed with words. Yet she can't find the ones to say what happened that day five years ago, with her mum, on the bridge.
Struggling in school and at home, she takes comfort in her safe places: her books. Her best friend. And her brother's friend, Moses - who makes her feel something new.
But when hidden family truths come to light and life starts to implode, can Jodie Jones find the words she needs to save herself?
A compelling, witty, moving love letter to the magic of words.
A highly original story exploring coming-of-age, language and hidden trauma, with a whip-smart, complex and unforgettable protagonist.
| ISBN: | 9781788453516 |
| Publication date: | 11th September 2025 |
| Author: | Emma Shevah |
| Publisher: | David Fickling Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 320 pages |
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
This is a powerful story about resilience, friendship, and finding your voice.
My Name is Jodie Jones is an emotional and inspiring story about a fifteen year old girl who sees the world in her own unique way. While most people around her care about grades or fitting in, Jodie is obsessed with words. She loves how they sound, how they flow, and the rhythm they make. For her, language is like music, and that makes her different.
At home, though, being different is not celebrated. Jodie’s mom is harsh and obsessed with looking perfect.... Read Full Review
An enthralling novel about an inquisitive teen who hides a painful secret but powers through and emerges victorious! You will fall in love with Jodie Jones just like I did!
This is definitely one of my best reads this year! Emma Shevah is a brilliant author who weaves her tales with wordy skill and creates enthralling characters including the incredibly intelligent and perceptive Jodie Jones. As someone who find beauty in poetry and books, Jodie... sorry! I mean Jodie Jones, felt like a character I could relate to. Disguising her passion as a theraphy needing, word-obsessed syndrome, Jodie Jones weaves her way around a dangerous figure close to home in order to save her family from abuse and neglect in an ingeniously brave and admirable manner that can only be described as pure brilliance and wit. Her compelling thought process will fascinate the reader and make them rethink literature and poetry with a new vision.... Read Full Review
My Name Is Jodie Jones needs the recognition for displaying neurodivergency that it deserves! The words dance on the page, and ignite emotion! A riveting, provoking read. I almost cried.
My Name Is Jodie Jones is an exceptionally enjoyable book. It is extremely well-written and accurately portrays autism and neurodivergence. As an avid logophile myself, I admire Jodie's sentence collecting, and her passion for her friends, Moses and Becca. My main issue is with Jodie Jones' mother, who, it is eventually revealed, is a narcissist. This was obvious, throughout the book, that the mother is dysfunctional, and my question is how people didn't notice it. I understand that the mother puts on a front in the presence of strangers and friends, but surely, they would notice how she never had anything good to say about Jodie or Champ/Charlie? Regarding Charlie, I think more could be said about his homosexuality, and his coming out to Moses, his closest friend?... Read Full Review
