When I Was Joe
Published on 7. January 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-84780-100-5 (ISBN)
Description
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. Joe's cracking under extreme pressure, and then he meets a girl with dark secrets of her own. This wonderfully gripping and intelligent novel depicts Ty/Joe's confused sense of identity in a moving and funny story that teenage boys and girls will identify with - a remarkable debut from a great new writing talent.
Reviews / Votes
Wow. I'm just in a sort of daze at the moment, because I have just finished one of the best books I have ever read. Honestly, I have had one of the most outstanding reading experiences ever. When I Was Joe is amazing! Booked Up! blog 'Beautifully written. ... A gripping read.' The Library Mouse Selected in Top Ten Favourite UK Young Adult Fiction - 'David's taut style, fast paced plot, and believable characterisation make these books completely impossible to put down. She's created a male narrator who is really easy to like and who has a truly compelling story.' UKYA blogMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 12 to 15 years
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84780-100-5 (9781847801005)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
KEREN DAVID was brought up in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and went to school in Hatfield. She left school at 18 and got a job as a messenger girl on a newspaper. She was freelancing as a reporter on the old Fleet Street by her mid-twenties and, after living and working in Scotland for two years, was appointed as a news editor on the Independent at the age of 27. She and her family then went to live in Amsterdam for eight years where she was editor in chief of a photo-journalism agency. On returning to the UK in 2007 she decided to attend a course on writing for children at the City University. When I Was Joe started out as a project for that course. She lives in London with her husband and two children. Her other titles for Frances Lincoln are Almost True, Another Life and Lia's Guide to Winning the Lottery (9781847801913).