My Name is Jodie Jones

Jodie Jones is struggling with school and home life. Traumatized by an incident and harangued by a controlling parent, she uses her love and obsession of words to distract from the myriad of pressures that are being thrown her way. Worried her father is planning to leave and hanging on by a thread, she begins sessions with a new counsellor in the hope it will uncover something that will help her cope with her life.

My Name is Jodie Jones, Emma Shevah's debut young adult novel, is a revelation. A tongue-twisting, titillating, teetering triumph (see what I did there), My Name is Jodie Jones explores and examples the beauty, diversity and usefulness of language at the most difficult and urbane times. Although the use of words and language is obsessive in this book, and at times seemed extraneous, that is perhaps the point. Language and its uses has evolved over the years into at times quite simple and banal colloquial dialect. This book turns words on their head and questions the use of even the simplest of terms.

Alongside Jodie Jones's use and love of words is the overriding sense of injustice and control that many teenagers face in their day to day lives. Governed by decisions often out of their control and with emphasis put on exams, often to breaking point, it is easy to understand why some teens may rebel or try to distance themselves in some way from reality.

My Name is Jodie Jones covers many relevant topics from teacher/pupil communication, friends and abuse, to first love and familial relationships. Although it centres on difficult and abusive topics there are also genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. There are so many characters to love, and detest, which makes for an engaging and edgy read.

The final plot reveal and revelations of Jodie Jones's traumatic experiences are truly horrifying, with the book ending a little too easily and accommodatingly. That being said, I feel students will engage with the main characters and may find themselves yearning to read further from some of the quoted works. With many topics for discussion, this book could also make an interesting tool for PSHE lessons. Recommended.

336 pages / Reviewed by Lorraine Ansell, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+

Jodie Jones is intelligent, enigmatic and never short of a pithy comeback. Unfortunately, she's also dealing with trauma, a fractured family and rapidly dwindling grades at school. She finds solace in words and interesting sentences, collecting and storing them, her verbal arsenal against her domineering and possibly disturbed mother.

But home life is increasingly difficult and her school teachers are beginning to tire of accommodating her various needs - educational and otherwise. Seeking a way forward and bucked by the support of her best friend Becca, her kindly Dad and older boy Moses, she plots to expose her mother's abuse and save the family she loves.

Jodie's mother is almost cartoonish as the evil villain of the piece - slowly eroding the confidence of both of her children and completely lacking in empathy. Her brow-beaten Dad seems unable to protect his children and her brother - once the family golden boy - seems ready to flee the disintegrating family set-up. Psychiatrist Dr Kumar is recruited to help diagnose her mother (ignoring all sorts of ethical issues!) and he proves a worthy ally when her mother finally reveals the extent of her abusive tendencies.

Jodie Jones (remember to use both names!) is a compelling heroine and the story is entertainingly littered with lively wordplay and literary references. In amongst an array of issues and difficulties, there is still plenty of room for friendship, humour and hope.

My Name is Jodie Jones  is a sharp-witted and thought-provoking take on contemporary family life and an exploration of mental health in all its nuances.

352 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+