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The Beauty Is in the Walking
In the bestselling tradition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Wonder.
'Sometimes you've got to show some mongrel. There's mongrel in you, little brother, more than you realise.'
Everyone thinks they know what Jacob O'Leary can and can't do - and they're not shy about telling him either.
But no one - not even Jacob - knows what he's truly capable of. And he's desperate for the chance to work it out for himself.
When a shocking and mystifying crime sends his small country town reeling, and fingers start pointing at the newcomer, Jacob grabs the chance to get out in front of the pack and keep mob rule at bay.
He's convinced that the police have accused the wrong guy; that the real villain is still out there. And he's determined to prove it - and himself - to everyone.
'Sometimes you've got to show some mongrel. There's mongrel in you, little brother, more than you realise.'
Everyone thinks they know what Jacob O'Leary can and can't do - and they're not shy about telling him either.
But no one - not even Jacob - knows what he's truly capable of. And he's desperate for the chance to work it out for himself.
When a shocking and mystifying crime sends his small country town reeling, and fingers start pointing at the newcomer, Jacob grabs the chance to get out in front of the pack and keep mob rule at bay.
He's convinced that the police have accused the wrong guy; that the real villain is still out there. And he's determined to prove it - and himself - to everyone.
248 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2015
2 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
James Moloney
54 books193 followersMy full name is James Francis Moloney and I was born in Sydney, Australia on 20 September, 1954. When I was seven years old, my family moved to Brisbane and except for the odd year or two, I have lived in Brisbane ever since. At school, I was into every sport going - cricket, footy, swimming - you name it. It's hard to believe now but in High School, I was a champion Long Jumper! After University I became a teacher and then a Teacher Librarian. I moved around from school to school and in 1977-8 found myself in Cunnamulla, a little "outback" town where many Indigenous Australians live. These turned out to be important years for my writing.
In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.
1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.
In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.
Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.
In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.
1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.
In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.
Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 28, 2021
I felt like I was the main character in the story, probably because I have cerebral palsy too. I loved that throughout the book you can really see that Jacob is yearning to have a taste of freedom, but the sad thing is his potentials is being overshadowed by disability. Now no two people can have the same cerebral palsy, but we all want the same thing, and that is to be heard and understood.
August 1, 2016
3.5 stars
Fantastic male perspective about Jacob who has cerebral palsy and is sick of his life being dictated by the people around him. When the opportunity comes up, he leads a protest against the injustice of villainising a Lebanese Muslim whom he barely knows. Definitely brought issues of racism and blaming the 'outsiders' to light.
There is a powerful and inspirational message behind this book which shows no matter who you are and what limits you face, you can make a difference in people's lives, however big or small by simply speaking up. Jacob's voice and passion rang true, especially when he really chooses to get behind the cause without being lead astray by his friends or family.
I was interested in the mystery behind the murder of a horse, but it kind of loses traction towards the latter half of the book after Jacob makes his point. It seems to have a convenient solution in the end and I would've liked to have it explored further.
Jacob also deals with the societal pressure of disability, in particular how people treat you with kid gloves and immediately dismiss you as meek anf don't take you seriously. This is also explored in the relationship that is portrayed here.
I also felt like these teenagers were quite mature and acted much older than they were. Most of them seemed to have it all figured out and at times I felt like I was reading a story set in university or college.
Overall a great Aussie YA story about disability and challenging yourself with an underlying mystery which addresses racism and societal injustice.
Fantastic male perspective about Jacob who has cerebral palsy and is sick of his life being dictated by the people around him. When the opportunity comes up, he leads a protest against the injustice of villainising a Lebanese Muslim whom he barely knows. Definitely brought issues of racism and blaming the 'outsiders' to light.
There is a powerful and inspirational message behind this book which shows no matter who you are and what limits you face, you can make a difference in people's lives, however big or small by simply speaking up. Jacob's voice and passion rang true, especially when he really chooses to get behind the cause without being lead astray by his friends or family.
I was interested in the mystery behind the murder of a horse, but it kind of loses traction towards the latter half of the book after Jacob makes his point. It seems to have a convenient solution in the end and I would've liked to have it explored further.
Jacob also deals with the societal pressure of disability, in particular how people treat you with kid gloves and immediately dismiss you as meek anf don't take you seriously. This is also explored in the relationship that is portrayed here.
I also felt like these teenagers were quite mature and acted much older than they were. Most of them seemed to have it all figured out and at times I felt like I was reading a story set in university or college.
Overall a great Aussie YA story about disability and challenging yourself with an underlying mystery which addresses racism and societal injustice.
December 30, 2015
sometimes you've got to show some mongrel. there's'a mongrel in you. little brother more than you realize.
I liked how quickly this book was quick and easy to read and i was transported into aussie young adult novel the genre that i'm beginning to love more and more.
i loved the aussie slang and setting it just made me feel warm and normal like it was just a right story for me to read. However the story wasn't gripping enough it didn't have that factor to pull me into the story that i needed.
I liked how quickly this book was quick and easy to read and i was transported into aussie young adult novel the genre that i'm beginning to love more and more.
i loved the aussie slang and setting it just made me feel warm and normal like it was just a right story for me to read. However the story wasn't gripping enough it didn't have that factor to pull me into the story that i needed.
August 23, 2015
Brisbane author James Moloney has once again shown what a wonderful author he is in this modern coming of age story with a tremendous young male protagonist. When a rural community is rocked by a violent attack on an animal, Jacob O’Leary, a year 12 student with cerebral palsy, is determined to defend newcomer Mahmoud and his family from the townsfolk accusations. Moloney confronts the prejudices and preconceived notions that are held in small communities against the unknown as Jacob deals with the opinions of his parents, friends, teachers and the authorities. At its heart this is Jacob’s story as he learns to navigate what it means to have ideals and opinions and to make a stand, all the while as he copes with Year 12 and the challenges and decision making that this final year of school brings.
Themes: coming of age, first love, discrimination, standing up for rights, bullying, disability
Suitable for 12+
Themes: coming of age, first love, discrimination, standing up for rights, bullying, disability
Suitable for 12+
July 29, 2015
4.5 stars
I received a copy of this title from the publisher for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
When animals are brutally attacked in Palmerston, Jacob reacts against the knee jerk accusations being levelled at the new Muslim family in town...but he's not quite sure what's behind his obsession with proving Mahmoud innocent.
One of my Top Books of 2015!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is something about books by Australian writers, set in Australia that ooze familiarity and comfort. From the moment I took in the exquisite cover of The Beauty is in the Walking, to the first few laid-back chapters, I knew I would be in for an immersive and understated tale of growth and change.
The best thing about this book is that it is unexpected in many ways.
*Please note that I am about to ruin some of that unexpectedness so if you would like to discover the unexpectedness for yourself, you should probably skip the next two paragraphs*
After reading the blurb, I thought I knew generally what this book would be like, but I was unprepared for a main character with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and a resultant mobility impairment. It’s obvious from the beginning that there is something different about Jacob, but the actual naming of his disability doesn’t come straight away, allowing the reader to meet him as he is, rather than having a preconception of what he might be like, based on a label. I feel that Moloney has done an excellent and realistic job of creating a character with a medical condition that imposes certain limitations on how that character moves through the world.
Being that I sit on the shelf of a fleshling with a similar mobility impairment (although not CP) I was surprised at how Moloney has so authentically incorporated this aspect of Jacob’s life into the story. Sometimes the impairment is right at the forefront – embarrassing, painful and inconvenient – and sometimes it’s part of the scenery, unworthy of notice or mention. Similarly, the different reactions of various people to Jacob’s disability run the gamut from overcompensation to celebration. This was part of what made the book feel realistic and it’s no wonder I was drawn in so deeply to Jacob’s quest to break out of the bonds of expectation.
*Alright skippers, you can start reading again now!*
When a number of animals around country Palmerston are killed in vicious attacks, the flimsiest of evidence points toward newcomer to the town, Mahmoud Rais, a Muslim student whose father has taken over the supervision of halal preparation at the local meatworks. Jacob doesn’t fully understand his motivation for doing so, but immediately leaps to Mahmoud’s defence as he is chased by an angry mob of kids. As the town grows more and more convinced that Mahmoud is the guilty party, and the local press and police seem to be encouraging that conviction, Jacob faces a choice about whether it’s worth protesting Mahmoud’s innocence.
Partway through the book I began to worry that this was going to become a clunky sort of declaration of the dangers of leaping to conclusions, with two-dimensional Islamic characters and a cursory diatribe against kneejerk prejudice. Of course, I should have known better and trusted in the talents of Moloney as an experienced writer, because the direction that the story takes could not be further from what I have described.
Instead of attempting to defy stereotyping of a minority by creating characters that would end up being a very small sample of the minority being stereotyped, Moloney has focused the story on Jacob and his thought processes as the events of the investigation are played out. The reactions of others – his parents, schoolmates and teacher – are presented for Jacob to navigate and the pr0s and cons of voicing one’s platform on social media are also explored.
The thing I enjoyed most about this story though, was the fact that the events are presented in the context of Jacob’s final year of school and the decisions that he has to make about his future, both in terms of what he wants to do and who he wants to be. Along the way the story touches on first love, bullying and discrimination, challenging authority and trust – in others and oneself.
If you are looking for an engrossing, surprising and authentically told story – whether you are a reader of YA or otherwise – allow me to suggest The Beauty is in the Walking as a worthy choice, featuring a young male protagonist with an original voice and content that is both topical and perennial.
I received a copy of this title from the publisher for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
When animals are brutally attacked in Palmerston, Jacob reacts against the knee jerk accusations being levelled at the new Muslim family in town...but he's not quite sure what's behind his obsession with proving Mahmoud innocent.
One of my Top Books of 2015!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is something about books by Australian writers, set in Australia that ooze familiarity and comfort. From the moment I took in the exquisite cover of The Beauty is in the Walking, to the first few laid-back chapters, I knew I would be in for an immersive and understated tale of growth and change.
The best thing about this book is that it is unexpected in many ways.
*Please note that I am about to ruin some of that unexpectedness so if you would like to discover the unexpectedness for yourself, you should probably skip the next two paragraphs*
After reading the blurb, I thought I knew generally what this book would be like, but I was unprepared for a main character with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and a resultant mobility impairment. It’s obvious from the beginning that there is something different about Jacob, but the actual naming of his disability doesn’t come straight away, allowing the reader to meet him as he is, rather than having a preconception of what he might be like, based on a label. I feel that Moloney has done an excellent and realistic job of creating a character with a medical condition that imposes certain limitations on how that character moves through the world.
Being that I sit on the shelf of a fleshling with a similar mobility impairment (although not CP) I was surprised at how Moloney has so authentically incorporated this aspect of Jacob’s life into the story. Sometimes the impairment is right at the forefront – embarrassing, painful and inconvenient – and sometimes it’s part of the scenery, unworthy of notice or mention. Similarly, the different reactions of various people to Jacob’s disability run the gamut from overcompensation to celebration. This was part of what made the book feel realistic and it’s no wonder I was drawn in so deeply to Jacob’s quest to break out of the bonds of expectation.
*Alright skippers, you can start reading again now!*
When a number of animals around country Palmerston are killed in vicious attacks, the flimsiest of evidence points toward newcomer to the town, Mahmoud Rais, a Muslim student whose father has taken over the supervision of halal preparation at the local meatworks. Jacob doesn’t fully understand his motivation for doing so, but immediately leaps to Mahmoud’s defence as he is chased by an angry mob of kids. As the town grows more and more convinced that Mahmoud is the guilty party, and the local press and police seem to be encouraging that conviction, Jacob faces a choice about whether it’s worth protesting Mahmoud’s innocence.
Partway through the book I began to worry that this was going to become a clunky sort of declaration of the dangers of leaping to conclusions, with two-dimensional Islamic characters and a cursory diatribe against kneejerk prejudice. Of course, I should have known better and trusted in the talents of Moloney as an experienced writer, because the direction that the story takes could not be further from what I have described.
Instead of attempting to defy stereotyping of a minority by creating characters that would end up being a very small sample of the minority being stereotyped, Moloney has focused the story on Jacob and his thought processes as the events of the investigation are played out. The reactions of others – his parents, schoolmates and teacher – are presented for Jacob to navigate and the pr0s and cons of voicing one’s platform on social media are also explored.
The thing I enjoyed most about this story though, was the fact that the events are presented in the context of Jacob’s final year of school and the decisions that he has to make about his future, both in terms of what he wants to do and who he wants to be. Along the way the story touches on first love, bullying and discrimination, challenging authority and trust – in others and oneself.
If you are looking for an engrossing, surprising and authentically told story – whether you are a reader of YA or otherwise – allow me to suggest The Beauty is in the Walking as a worthy choice, featuring a young male protagonist with an original voice and content that is both topical and perennial.
January 5, 2018
3.5
Reminds me a lot of the books I read growing up. Smalltown vibes. Some strange Australian slang.
Jacob was an extremely interesting, complex protagonist. Loved the coming of age/maturity building/self-asserting/discovery elements.
Reminds me a lot of the books I read growing up. Smalltown vibes. Some strange Australian slang.
Jacob was an extremely interesting, complex protagonist. Loved the coming of age/maturity building/self-asserting/discovery elements.
March 15, 2021
A delightful surprise, this book. A quiet tale of a boy struggling with the last year of high school, his cerebral palsy, the parochialism of his small Queensland town, and, of course, romance. My only regret is that I was unable to read it in a single sitting.
February 15, 2017
This book dealt with some issues surrounding racism and disabilities and the bullying that arises with hear topics well but the actual story line was pretty boring.
December 5, 2017
good book! an easy read with a simple plot and enough suspense to keep you interested. Nothing extravagant but makes for a nice light, beach read. A mix of heart warming characters and a nice simple story line that is easy to follow, makes for a nice novel that is worth a read.
January 21, 2016
This book isn't the type I thought I would be into BUT I GUESS I LIKED IT ?? It brought about some of the issues we face today in society e.g. problem of racism, crime, disabilities, bullying etc. but on some occasions I found the characters rattled on a bit too much about 'oh I gotta fix this; gotta fight some crime mm yeah' and then I was pissed because of course that's gonna cause a bit of an uproar what were the characters thinking ?!
It was a tad cliche the whole 'protective family with some issues because the son has a disability and now his life is so very restricted and he has to fight his way out of it, out of the dome' idea ? I mean, I still enjoyed it but something ticked me off about it, also how it was likened to 'The Truman Show'? The movie with Jim Carrey? It's a great movie but in some instances I found that this was symbolised a bit too much throughout the novel. Especially when its linked in with Amy?? oh no jake. Jake? James? I've forgotten the main characters name already !! I keep thinking that he was referred to as Jake for some reason or maybe it was James or maybe it's just the authors name and Australian heat getting to me.
I liked Chloe a lot. Like a heck of a lot. And all the other pissy characters (Dan, Mitch, Bec and now Amy damn you Amy) helped me like Chloe more. AND I'M SUPER PISSED AT THE KILLER WHOM I SHALL NOT NAME BUT LIKE IF YOU WANNA FIND OUT READ THE BOOK!!
I was definitely on the edge like some of the characters were in those thrilling scenes which touched on the crime of the killings, that definitely made the book more intriguing and not just your average 'character discovers themselves' book.
Definitely an easy read, went through it in a couple hours. I don't get what all the fuss is about though?? I seemed to be highly acclaimed hence why I borrowed it from the library - wouldn't buy it though sadly.
It was a tad cliche the whole 'protective family with some issues because the son has a disability and now his life is so very restricted and he has to fight his way out of it, out of the dome' idea ? I mean, I still enjoyed it but something ticked me off about it, also how it was likened to 'The Truman Show'? The movie with Jim Carrey? It's a great movie but in some instances I found that this was symbolised a bit too much throughout the novel. Especially when its linked in with Amy?? oh no jake. Jake? James? I've forgotten the main characters name already !! I keep thinking that he was referred to as Jake for some reason or maybe it was James or maybe it's just the authors name and Australian heat getting to me.
I liked Chloe a lot. Like a heck of a lot. And all the other pissy characters (Dan, Mitch, Bec and now Amy damn you Amy) helped me like Chloe more. AND I'M SUPER PISSED AT THE KILLER WHOM I SHALL NOT NAME BUT LIKE IF YOU WANNA FIND OUT READ THE BOOK!!
I was definitely on the edge like some of the characters were in those thrilling scenes which touched on the crime of the killings, that definitely made the book more intriguing and not just your average 'character discovers themselves' book.
Definitely an easy read, went through it in a couple hours. I don't get what all the fuss is about though?? I seemed to be highly acclaimed hence why I borrowed it from the library - wouldn't buy it though sadly.
February 13, 2017
This is an excellent novel for YA and adults. The themes of disability, coming of age, multiculturalism, violence, small town life are all interwoven in a realistic way it's like eves-dropping on a particularly dramatic period in a boy's life, his last year of school as he tries to work out what's important to him and who are his real friends.
June 26, 2016
Moloney's writing seems effortless as he explores the tight world of a small country town, spiralling out of control as an unknown mutilator attacks local animals. Who's guilty? Who's innocent? Jake O'Leary, in his final school year and battling a life-time disability, feels like his life is unravelling - literally, one step forwards, two steps back. His friends - Amy, Bec, Mitch, Dan and even Chloe - always have his back, but as they year goes on, even those certainties become uncertain. As Jake finds his voice and courage despite his vulnerabilities, he comes to the end of his school life, the end of what he has always known, and the start of his ability to see a new horizon. The truths that Moloney distills are poignant and real. A book that makes you think long after you read the last word.
If you want to get inside the head of Year 12s and the struggles involved in their life, some other great fiction includes: Dead Dog in the Still of the Night by Archimede Fusillo
If you want to get inside the head of Year 12s and the struggles involved in their life, some other great fiction includes: Dead Dog in the Still of the Night by Archimede Fusillo
March 27, 2016
I admit that I picked this book up based on the reputation of the author. Australian author, James Moloney has over 40 books for children and teenagers in his writing swag, along with a collection of literary awards. But the title had me puzzled....
Set in a fictional country town in Queensland, the story raises issues about outsiders, racism, fitting in and the adolescent search for romance, against the mystery of a series of violent crimes. Jacob shows strength, determination and commitment when he beleives that the police have accused the wromng person for the shocking crime that has impacted the whole community.
More at: https://crewsreviews.edublogs.org/201...
Set in a fictional country town in Queensland, the story raises issues about outsiders, racism, fitting in and the adolescent search for romance, against the mystery of a series of violent crimes. Jacob shows strength, determination and commitment when he beleives that the police have accused the wromng person for the shocking crime that has impacted the whole community.
More at: https://crewsreviews.edublogs.org/201...
August 17, 2016
I had higher expectations for this book because it was written by James Molony. I was not disappointed.
This book is about a boy called Jacob that has a disease called CP. Someone is killing the animals In his home town and the cops blame it on a person who Jacob thinks is innocent.
So, Jacob tries to prove that the person wasn't the one who started killing animal
I hated that Amy was leading him on and that all his friends just left him like that. I was also confused on how he jumped straight away to Chole.
I give it a 4/5 stars because:
* it was written by James Molony
* I love the cover
* the writing was beautiful
* I like how Jacob overcame his CP
This book is about a boy called Jacob that has a disease called CP. Someone is killing the animals In his home town and the cops blame it on a person who Jacob thinks is innocent.
So, Jacob tries to prove that the person wasn't the one who started killing animal
I hated that Amy was leading him on and that all his friends just left him like that. I was also confused on how he jumped straight away to Chole.
I give it a 4/5 stars because:
* it was written by James Molony
* I love the cover
* the writing was beautiful
* I like how Jacob overcame his CP
June 7, 2021
This story is about finding your place in the world, and deals with the issues surrounding race, identity, and media in contemporary society. It was brilliant.
When I first read this, I had never seen such diversity in a book before. The main character, Jacob, has cerebral palsy and, prior to this, I had never read a book with Muslim representation.
Moloney tackles the issues here in a very real, simple way that is oh so Australian. It’s a really great depiction of rural Australian town life, and I felt so at home and connected while reading it.
It’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after it’s finished, and I would highly recommend!
When I first read this, I had never seen such diversity in a book before. The main character, Jacob, has cerebral palsy and, prior to this, I had never read a book with Muslim representation.
Moloney tackles the issues here in a very real, simple way that is oh so Australian. It’s a really great depiction of rural Australian town life, and I felt so at home and connected while reading it.
It’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after it’s finished, and I would highly recommend!
July 27, 2019
*second time reading*
PROS- I loved the exploration of CP in this book, as you don’t really see that in YA. I liked how it’s an Australian book set in Australia and I enjoyed reading about Jacob,his relationship with his mum and his friendship group. It also highlights the importance of racism issues in the media and politics. I love the cover too!
CONS - the plot could have been stronger, and some parts aren’t as attention grabbing. I also would have liked the ending to explain more about what happens to Mahmoud and his family.
PROS- I loved the exploration of CP in this book, as you don’t really see that in YA. I liked how it’s an Australian book set in Australia and I enjoyed reading about Jacob,his relationship with his mum and his friendship group. It also highlights the importance of racism issues in the media and politics. I love the cover too!
CONS - the plot could have been stronger, and some parts aren’t as attention grabbing. I also would have liked the ending to explain more about what happens to Mahmoud and his family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2016
I highly recommend this to everyone!
This is a light hearted novel about a courageous young man, Jacob O'Leary, that pushes the boundaries. He fights for what he feels is right, and doesn't let anyone persuade him into thinking otherwise. He also struggles daily with Cerebal Palsy, but doesn't let it define the person who he is.
See the full review here: https://rachwithbooks.wordpress.com/2...
This is a light hearted novel about a courageous young man, Jacob O'Leary, that pushes the boundaries. He fights for what he feels is right, and doesn't let anyone persuade him into thinking otherwise. He also struggles daily with Cerebal Palsy, but doesn't let it define the person who he is.
See the full review here: https://rachwithbooks.wordpress.com/2...
January 2, 2016
Great read. Definitely discusses issues that need to be addressed in contemporary society but in a different text that is understandable for youth. The only aspect that disappointed me was the weakness of the crime aspect of the book. Despite that, I would still give this book a read if you're interested in an easy quick read.
November 12, 2015
This is a lovely story of a boy's fight to be accepted and recognised as someone of worth rather than just someone who needs protecting. Friendships and prejudices are laid bare as the future opens up with possibilities. Very well written and enjoyable to read.
July 26, 2019
A very unique, relatable and inspiring story about a boy with a disability trying to prove his world wrong and defend innocent people from discrimination and ignorant accusations. Loved the little extra about first love and making mistakes and the ending was really sweet.
September 24, 2015
A great story. I was hooked in early and I had a lot of sympathy for the main character. Year 7 and above. Recommended.
October 16, 2015
This was an interesting read, and one that I will be recommending, even if it wasn't a fave. This novel is well constructed, with engaging characters and story. A good read!
August 29, 2021
[CBCA Notable for older readers 2016]
I usually enjoy James Moloney but I found this to be rather hard to read probably because the story meandered too slowly for me.
I usually enjoy James Moloney but I found this to be rather hard to read probably because the story meandered too slowly for me.
January 20, 2016
Really good book and was amazing to read one where the main character lives with CP
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews