Tyler has seen something he shouldn’t have. He tries to do the right thing and tell his story, but the people he blames are now out to get him and will stop at nothing to silence him. He and his mum, Nicki, go into protective custody and become Joe and Michelle. Being Joe is sometimes difficult, especially as Michelle seems to be only a shadow of the person Nicki was, but sometimes Ty thinks he might like to stay Joe, forever. Joe is cooler that Ty, has potential as a top athlete and even has a girlfriend. But Ty is also someone who has done things he shouldn’t and life can’t stay easy for long. The criminals Ty is trying to put away attack his grandmother, and Joe keeps getting in trouble at school. Ty finds lying to everyone about everything, all the time, tricky, and as he realises what doing the right thing, this time, will cost him and his family, Ty wonders if being Joe is possible at all.
When I Was Joe by Keren David (PB $16.95) is recommended for boys 13+.
Jess
