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Watermelon
How far would you go to belong? Alone, rejected, and living in a kids' home, 15-year-old Mikey will do whatever it takes - even if it means running for a local drug-dealer. But as violent clashes with a rival gang escalate, loyalties get torn apart, and the cost of belonging spirals, what risks will Mikey be prepared to take? How will he live with the desperate and dangerous decisions he is forced into? And ultimately, can he survive the brutality and betrayal that surround him? A hard-hitting account of the alienation, conflict and power that rule the streets, Watermelon will drag its listeners along at a breakneck pace. Follow Mikey's authentic voice and compelling narrative as he leads you through his story, and right into its fatal, nail-biting conclusion.
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First published November 8, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 12, 2014
Ever read a book that just becomes a movie running in your head? The one you play over and over because it has that kind of dramatic impact – from the troubled characters, to the snappy dialogue, to the tense action sequence. This is one of those books. I didn’t think it was possible to be so ‘involved’ in the story as a reader. This is like the British version of ‘Goodfellas’, young adult edition. It details the beginnings of a life of crime, not by choice, but by circumstances, really dangerous ones too.
Let down by the system, and more tragically, by his own mother. This is Mikey’s life.
It’s as gritty as they come.
Let down by the system, and more tragically, by his own mother. This is Mikey’s life.
It’s as gritty as they come.
January 26, 2013
This review written by my 14 year old son who read the book in one sitting today.
"Watermelon" was dramatic, shocking and pulsating, with action on every page. The next moment of joy, horror or despair was always just around the corner, with real-life scenarios applied to a book that shadows a troubled teenager, this is a must-read book for those wanting excitement" - Jamie
"Watermelon" was dramatic, shocking and pulsating, with action on every page. The next moment of joy, horror or despair was always just around the corner, with real-life scenarios applied to a book that shadows a troubled teenager, this is a must-read book for those wanting excitement" - Jamie
December 19, 2012
I begrudge giving out another five star rating, as I've read a few brilliant books recently - for which I had to give a five stars rating.When I say the last book I read was Pushkin's 'Eugene Onegin' (five stars of course) you see the sort of competition this book had.
I found 'Watermelon' excellently crafted,tersely written, and full of gritty detail,wry humour, vivid characterisation and understated pathos and horror.
Teenage gangs in deprived areas and drug use amongst teenagers in care are not topics that make for pretty reading. Neverhthleless, at the end of this book the reader is left with a sense of affirmation. Two of the characters have fallen in love and hope to do better then their own parents with the new life they are bringing into the world.
The author avoids intruding her opinions; the disturbed, but potentially warm and bright Mikey speaks for himself, and his language is often crude and bitter, though usually wonderfully witty. Ugly details aren't spared the reader in this story, and the dismal sexism that pervades this culture is depicted as vividly as the state of the bus shelter in the road where Holly House, Mikey's new 'home' is: - 'Somebody had used the plastic seats of the bus shelter to scrape the dog shit from their shoes'.
Mikey dreads going to live at Holly House so much that 'If Hannibal Lecter had stopped by, I'd've gone with him.'
In default of Hannibal Lectur, Mikey becomes involved with Donny the cold eyed drug baron and his gang,including the generous rascal Shane, a Lothario who has a surprise coming his way in the form of quiet, shy,pretty Jasmine, who's relatives just happen to belong to the rival gang. It's a case of a Romeo and Juliet situation in the ugliest or areas...
I'm sadly not a YA, but I loved it,and I think YA's are sure to as well.
Recommended.
I found 'Watermelon' excellently crafted,tersely written, and full of gritty detail,wry humour, vivid characterisation and understated pathos and horror.
Teenage gangs in deprived areas and drug use amongst teenagers in care are not topics that make for pretty reading. Neverhthleless, at the end of this book the reader is left with a sense of affirmation. Two of the characters have fallen in love and hope to do better then their own parents with the new life they are bringing into the world.
The author avoids intruding her opinions; the disturbed, but potentially warm and bright Mikey speaks for himself, and his language is often crude and bitter, though usually wonderfully witty. Ugly details aren't spared the reader in this story, and the dismal sexism that pervades this culture is depicted as vividly as the state of the bus shelter in the road where Holly House, Mikey's new 'home' is: - 'Somebody had used the plastic seats of the bus shelter to scrape the dog shit from their shoes'.
Mikey dreads going to live at Holly House so much that 'If Hannibal Lecter had stopped by, I'd've gone with him.'
In default of Hannibal Lectur, Mikey becomes involved with Donny the cold eyed drug baron and his gang,including the generous rascal Shane, a Lothario who has a surprise coming his way in the form of quiet, shy,pretty Jasmine, who's relatives just happen to belong to the rival gang. It's a case of a Romeo and Juliet situation in the ugliest or areas...
I'm sadly not a YA, but I loved it,and I think YA's are sure to as well.
Recommended.
November 25, 2013
Watermelon is one of those books that manages to take the reader (in my case a middle aged, middle class woman) into the mind of the main character (in this case a teenage boy named Mikey who has suffered more deprivation in his short life than all the people who live on my street combined). So, for the duration of this book I had to live in his world, and I didn’t like it one little bit! I liked him a lot though, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book (despite wanting to bring Mikey home to enjoy the life and love that my sons do). I am giving this book five stars because it made me consider the nuance of every sentence in order to make sure I didn’t miss any of the very importance messages – love, family, friendship, loyalty, mistakes, growth – they are all in this book. The ending was crisp and perfect; the whole book a ‘must read’.
September 12, 2014
The sequel "Hearts and Arrorws" is even better than Watermelon. I would rate it five stars if it was on good reads list.
January 20, 2013
This is a YA book that walks a thin line between what may be deemed suitable for its audience and the realism of the story. Fortunately the author has a real skill in building such an empathy with her characters that you genuinely care about what they are doing and feeling. Getting inside the skin of a 15 year old boy isn't easy - when he's a care-home kid, abandoned, unloved and on the verge of self-destruction, it's even harder to do and this novel paints a harsh picture of the reality of life in care in an inner-city environment, when there's sex and drugs on the doorstep and nobody to hug you at night.
Mikey has to make tough choices in his life and with every choice comes a consequence. But when he has to choose between the two things that mean the most to him, is when he finally grows up and accepts some responsibility for himself and his life.
This the first book I've read by the author. I'm impressed. Faultlessly written and deeply moving. I will look out for more.
Mikey has to make tough choices in his life and with every choice comes a consequence. But when he has to choose between the two things that mean the most to him, is when he finally grows up and accepts some responsibility for himself and his life.
This the first book I've read by the author. I'm impressed. Faultlessly written and deeply moving. I will look out for more.
October 9, 2014
What a great book. The language is rough but realistic. Young Mikey's mother doesn't want him. The last "carers" were terrible. Now he has no where to go but for the group home. And things go downhill from there. School was okay but hanging with his new mate, Shane, is much more exciting. Shane is involved in some shady things. I love that the author paints Mikey with multidimensional hues. He isn't bad, but he makes some unwise decisions. He realizes they are unwise but then it's too late.
Highly recommended - new adult level novel.
Highly recommended - new adult level novel.
August 2, 2013
Loved it from start to finish! Loved the characters and how I really got emotionally involved with all of them. The ending was very exciting, surprises around every corner!
June 12, 2015
This is the type of book that truly throw me into a tizzy as I liked the book when I really shouldn't. The chavy language seemed coarse and offensive (sometimes ensuring non UK readers resorting to a dictionary) but may that's what reality and honesty sounds like. I can vouch for the authenticity of the plot as I have lived in east London for quite a while and can relate to the storyline completely.
I will be keeping her(Hanney) in my mind as I assume great things coming from her and to her.
I will be keeping her(Hanney) in my mind as I assume great things coming from her and to her.
January 19, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book, but the characters didn't make me love them. The plot was interesting and I can see to younger readers (who it was aimed at) that the speed of the story would keep their interest but for me I think some more character development would have improved it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews