They Told Me I Had to Write This

by Kim Miller

Clem is a boy in strife. Blamed for the death of his mother, carrying a terrible secret from Grade 5 and in trouble with the police, he’s now in a school for toxic teenagers. And that rev-head school counselor wants him to write letters.

Through his writing Clem goes deep into the trauma that has defined his life. Then he comes face to face with his mother’s death.

In a rush of bush bike racing, the death of one student and the consequent arrest of another, an unexpected first girlfriend, and some surprising friendships, Clem's story is the celebration of a boy who finds an unexpected future.

Tackles multiple issues affecting today’s bullying; family dysfunction; grief; mental illness; friendship with a fast-paced plot. Adults who are looking for insight into how to approach instances of deep teenage trauma will also find something here, as well as a good story, well told.

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clem is a troubled teenager who manages to turn his life around with the help of his friends and some caring adults. The story unfolds through Clem's letters to his dead grandmother as he talks about his day-to-day life as well dealing with the past and its dark secrets. At times the letters are very touching, at other times humorous. However, I think this book will appeal more to teenage boys than girls as there is a large proportion of the book focusing on bikes, dirt tracks, motor bikes and other such vehicles which I found detracted from the book.

[Meaghan Mallia · Rating 3 out of 5]

its mostly letters to the boys gran.....didn't really take the time to understand it properly so i didn't really enjoy it.

[Esther]

Clem is in reform school. He works through his problems there with the Rev. He sees his dad as a 'motorbike' with a cover on the passenger seat, which is eventually lifted.

[Robyn Donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Deserves to be a best seller!