Overview
Kevin Brooks is at the top of his YA game in this "provocative, suspenseful" (Booklist) novel. Now in a dynamic new Kevin Brooks repackaging!When Joe meets Candy, it seems like a regular boy-meets-girl scenario. They chat over coffee, she gives him her number, and he writes her a song. But then Joe is drawn into Candy's world --- a world of drugs, violence, and desperation. As the dark truth about Candy's life emerges, Joe finds himself facing real danger at every twist and turn. Soon Joe's conflicting emotions begin to mirror Candy's, and he understands that falling in love just might be worth the struggle. This intoxicating tale of heartache, danger, and hope will enthrall teen readers.
Synopsis
When Joe meets Candy, it seems like a regular boy-meets-girl scenario. They chat over coffee, she gives him her number, and he writes her a song. But then Joe is drawn into Candy's world --- a world of drugs, violence, and desperation. As the dark truth about Candy's life emerges, Joe finds himself facing real danger at every twist and turn. Soon Joe's conflicting emotions begin to mirror Candy's, and he understands that falling in love just might be worth the struggle. This intoxicating tale of heartache, danger, and hope will enthrall teen readers.
Sharon Salluzzo - Children's Literature
On his way to his doctor's appointment in London, Joe meets Candy and is mesmerized from the first moment he sees her. Little does he know at that point that she will so consume his thoughts that he will risk his life, and his sister Gina's life as well. As he attempts to rescue Candy from a life of heroin addiction and prostitution, her pimp Iggy arrives. Candy hits Iggy over the head and runs away with Joe to a cottage owned by his father. Through his connections, Iggy not only discovers where they are, but he has also kidnaps Gina. Brooks has created a tightly written cautionary tale; he sets up an interesting parallel between Joe's obsession with Candy and her addiction to drugs. The author addresses the race issue by contrasting Iggy with Gina's fiance, Mike, who is also black. The book is impossible to put down, and Brooks creates the perfect ending to a story that is tough, gritty and suspenseful. 2005, The Chicken House/Scholastic, Ages 14 up.
Editorials
Children's Literature
On his way to his doctor's appointment in London, Joe meets Candy and is mesmerized from the first moment he sees her. Little does he know at that point that she will so consume his thoughts that he will risk his life, and his sister Gina's life as well. As he attempts to rescue Candy from a life of heroin addiction and prostitution, her pimp Iggy arrives. Candy hits Iggy over the head and runs away with Joe to a cottage owned by his father. Through his connections, Iggy not only discovers where they are, but he has also kidnaps Gina. Brooks has created a tightly written cautionary tale; he sets up an interesting parallel between Joe's obsession with Candy and her addiction to drugs. The author addresses the race issue by contrasting Iggy with Gina's fiance, Mike, who is also black. The book is impossible to put down, and Brooks creates the perfect ending to a story that is tough, gritty and suspenseful. 2005, The Chicken House/Scholastic, Ages 14 up.—Sharon Salluzzo