Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2011. Highly Commended for the Teenage Book Prize 2010. An edgy and contemporary thriller about the life changing dangers of knife crime – and that’s just for the witness. When Ty tells the police what he has seen, his life is changed forever. His enemies are ruthless and will stop at nothing to prevent Ty from testifying.
Given a new look, new names and a new past, Ty and his mother make a fresh start. But forgetting Ty and remembering to be Joe is hard. Ty tells his story of familiar teenage experiences – school friendships, bullying, falling in love – against a terrifying background in which letting out the secret could mean the end.
How Joe survives and grows and, in particular, how he befriends the lonely Claire whose self-harming is an equally important secret, is touching.
This is definitely a novel for 14+ and not younger.
Now there's a sequel to When I Was Joe. Click here to find out more.
Titles shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2011:
When Ty witnesses a stabbing, his own life is in danger from the criminals he's named, and he and his mum have to go into police protection. Ty has a new name, a new look and a cool new image - life as Joe is good, especially when he gets talent spotted as a potential athletics star, special training from an attractive local celebrity and a lot of female attention. But his mum can't cope with her new life, and the gangsters will stop at nothing to flush them from hiding.
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When Ty witnesses a stabbing, his own life is in danger from the criminals he's named, and he and his mum have to go into police protection. Ty has a new name, a new look and a cool new image - life as Joe is good, especially when he gets talent spotted as a potential athletics star, special training from an attractive local celebrity and a lot of female attention.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed When I Was Joe and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-14 years old
When I Was Joe features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Ebook, Paperback. £6.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
When I Was Joe was written by Keren David and published by Frances Lincoln
£6.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..