My Name is Jodie Jones

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+