Thursday 14 June 2012

What's Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long


Pages - 249
Published by Macmillan Children's Books in May 2012

Life can be pretty weird sometimes...
It seriously can. 
Sometimes, just when you think you're rocking along nicely and minding your own business, life throws you a complete curve ball and leaves you feeling totally and utterly freaked out. 

Goodreads Summary
Me and my sister are twins. She's Jolene and I'm Jody. We've both got brown hair, we're both left-handed and we both have these weirdly long little toes which make us look like long-toed mutants. But apart from that, I'd say we're fairly different. Well, actually, we're a lot different . . . It's hard enough being one half of the world's least identical twins, without both of you falling for the same guy. Jolene's turned flirting into a fine art, but Jody? Not so much. And as if a twinny love triangle wasn't messy enough . . . there's something nobody knows about Jody Barton. Something BIG. 
**********
This book is really really sneaky! I envisioned one kind of story and was happily working my way through the book, when... Wham! Bam! I discover I am reading a completely different story! The wool fell from my eyes and I couldn't believe I did not see the events coming. Now because I don't want to spoil it for you, I am going to have to be really careful how I write this review. The issues I long to discuss with you, I can't! As it would ruin the story completely. All I can say is this book deals with real teenage issues that need to be addressed. 
This book is a lot deeper than other books I have read by this author. The comical aspect is there is snippets, but to be honest, this subject isn't something to laugh about. You will come away from this book, contemplating the aspects of life that teenagers need to understand and deal with. 
Jody and Jolene were excellent examples of twins! And I should know! The way they bicker and turn on each other, was like genuine scenes from the House of Dacosta! I think my girls may have been passing family secrets to the author on the quiet.  
I think the author captured Jody's inner confusion and turmoil extremely well. Showing the lack of understanding from the adult world on how to deal with this subject really struck home with me. If my children should ever need advice on how to deal with this, I aim to be there. 
I loved the settings in this book. Ah my days of visiting Brent Cross, as I bunked of uni were heaven, and the author brought them all flooding back to me. If Chunky's Diner was real, then I would obviously have  had a breakfast there after a night out at the student union. 
An excellent book with an excellent twist. I think Hayley Long is AMAZING!

9 comments:

  1. A book that deals with issues with humor is perfect for teens. This sounds like a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds good :) I really must read a YA book soon..*realizes that she actually is reading one* oops

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hadn't heard much about this but I saw a couple of reviews of it recently and it sounds pretty good! I might have to give it a go

    The Cait Files

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It just really throws you. You think it is one type of book and turns out to be another.

      Delete
  4. I really like the Hayley Long Author, this sounds really good. x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ok, I have to read this, if only because of the Brent Cross thing! And I am so intrigued by the twist!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't seen very many reviews of this book so far but it certainly comes with an air of mystery! I like :)

    ReplyDelete

Hiya, thanks for stopping by, it is always nice to hear what you have to say, so do leave a comment if you have time.