Johnny Hazzard

by Eddie de Oliveira

The personal meet the political in this "rare find" (Booklist) of a novel from promising author Eddie de Oliveira.

Johnny Hazzard's an American boy living in London for the summer. He's not used to being a foreigner, and even less used to fending for himself. Then he meets an older girl named January and suddenly his quest for experience is taking some unexpected turns.
This is a novel about growing up American, growing up in the world, and growing up in the face of love. Eddie de Oliveira writes with vim, vigor, and verve about coming of age in our very uncertain, complicated age.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Teen, London, Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

I was born in London to an Argentinian mother from an Italian family and a Brazilian father with Scotland, Portugal and Spain in his family tree. This mix made for entertaining football World Cup parties. I write screenplays and YA novels. I also work in publishing as a writer/editor of books and magazines, and I’m a freelance journalist. I like to cook and I like Fulham FC.

Reviews

[Angélique (Angel) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out greatly. The author writes with a unique yet enjoyable style and easily depicts realistic, entertaining characters; however, for me, the novel had two major downfalls. The first being its overly political nature at times. Throughout the first major part of the book and the ending, the politics are scattered and small, which I felt was bearable; yet, during the Belgium trip, I felt that the political presence was overwhelming. The second being the trip to Belgium in general. Besides the high political level, I had a problem with the length of that section. For such a long section, it moved the plot a long very minimally and only a small portion provided any character development. Fortunately, the ending was just as great as the beginning(though not great enough to completely negate the problems of the Belgian holiday).

[Lali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting a book about teenage nostalgia to make me feel so many things. I'm going to have to let my thoughts simmer for a bit on this one.

[Kristin Fletcher-spear · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book proves to me that once again I like dialogue driven writing better than descriptions. I didn't enjoy the style and the trip to Belgium felt that it was added to have a teaching moment about war. I read it for work as a patron thought it was too explicit to be in the teen collection. I hope the patron never picks up Doing It by Melvin Burgess!

Seriously though, I think many teens may get bored of the writing after awhile. Johnny felt like a realistic teen most of the time--especially when he spoke about skateboarding, January, and sex-- but his political views felt a little like the author wanting to have ateachable moment rather than the character having such strong beliefs from nowhere.

All in all, a mediocre read that I would have put done after 50 or so pages if I didn't have to read it.

[Kricket · Rating 3 out of 5]

i adored the first half of this book. johnny hazzard, 15, of texas, is spending the summer in london with his father, stepmother, and older sister. at a skate store, he meets the lovely january and falls in love for the first time. but halfway through the summer, they are parted to go on vacation with their families. this is where the book practically grinds to a halt. johnny goes to belgium and has an epiphany about The Horrors Of War. to be fair, i actually found this really interesting but it felt out of place, like it should have been its own book. and this section was lonnnnnnng. compared to the rest of the summer, johnny hazzard is in belgium for an eternity.

with some heavy editing in belgium, this could have been one of the best teen dude POV romances i've read. as it is, i'm not sure teens will have the patience to wade through.

[William YU · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnny Hazzard by Eddie De Oliveira was a interesting book. The idea of a teenage boy going away to another place during the summer might not be the most original idea, but i thought the author did a decent job making the story interesting to read. I thought the best part of the story is his actual trip and what he did. The reason why liked this book was because of his trip and how much i wished that was me. I would have loved to go to london and meet a girl and party. Overall Johnny Hazzard is a book i would recommend to most teens because its a light and fun read.

[Keith Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of those kinds of books where you felt like it was this forbidden fruit that you couldn't have but you look at it with such hungry curiosity that you can't help yourself once you start to get a taste of it. A unique and ultimately bittersweet love story between a teenage skater boy and a beautiful Londoner who's almost old enough to be his older sister that is truly riveting and provocative.

[Tiana Pearson]

Johnny Hazzard is a good romantic book. It is kind of funny and helps people relate to some new experiences that Johnny wnet through, and how it's okay to just wing it and be nervous. i learned that there maybe isn;t such a thing as true love too quick. that you shouldn't jump into a relationship so fast and let your feelings take over.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

the crappiest book of all time. i didn't even finish it, it was soooo bad. all the random Belgium history lessons and about how moved he was from all the dead soldiers. sooooo bad. nvr reading again or nor should have i read it in the 1st place.

[Roberta love youuuu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally done!
The ending was good, but confusing.
But everything else was okay.
Didn't like this book!

[Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was aite.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book because it talked about a boy who was madly in love with this girl he met while on vacation. It would have earned 5 stars but it got kind of slow at some points.

[Allen Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

wont normally give a book like this a four star, but very well written.
very good book.