Epub file on my kindle corrupted (lost old one and had to redownload everything from Amazon) so am unable to access - thank you for the opportunity.

A free copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Joe's Mum and her boyfriend Dean go on holiday to Spain, leaving 13-year-old Joe alone at home. At first it's not too bad - he can play his video games, Dean's not there to bother him and he's beginning to make friends with Asha, a girl staying with her grandfather Otis in the flat next door. But then the end of the week comes and Mum and Dean don't come back.
I actually really liked this book by Joanna Nadin, despite not being the target audience. Joe is a great protagonist and I liked the way that we didn't find out about him and his family situation all in one big go, but instead had hints about Dean's real character and the problems Joe was having as the story went on. I also thought the relationship between Joe and Asha developed really beautifully. It was exactly as awkward as you would expect from two young teens, but it didn't feel forced in any way. The subject matter - Joe's neglect - is pretty heavy-going as you would expect, and the tension in the second half of the story definitely ramps up, but I felt it was dealt with quite sensitively, especially as it's all from Joe's perspective. You can see the moments where he wants to ask for help but doesn't feel like he can because he doesn't want to get his Mum into trouble. It's very well written.
A thoughtful story with lovely main characters that you can root for. 4.5 stars.

I forgot that I had already read this book; I just read my opinions and it's interesting to me how my views on this book have changed.

I do think there are bits that are quite cliche and I do still feel a little let down by Joe's lack of growth as a character. I was hoping for a lot of perseverance and problem solving and inner confidence. Maybe he found a little of that - but then I remember how he caved to the bully, in the later part of the story, and I think, eh, maybe not.

This has a similar theme to Home Alone just a bit grittier. It's a bit of a mixed bag, the main character is quite young but some of the themes are not. It's just horrible thinking a parent could leave a child like that.

Very cool idea for a book, and an excellent execution of that idea. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Recommended. .

Bleak, Tender, Funny, and, Ultimately, Hopeful

So, can you handle melancholy, hope, fear, boredom, anxiety, bullying, youthful optimism, bravery and tenderness? Maybe it's time to find out, because this beautifully written, lyrical, and yet clear-eyed book offers you all that and more. It reminded me very much of New Wave French cinema, (which is now, of course, very old wave), in which neglected street kids carouse and grow up, in grainy shaky black and white, on the tough streets of hard urban neighborhoods. Think of this as kitchen-sink drama narrated from the perspective of an observant, big-hearted, good-hearted kid.

It is hard to convincingly describe a book as both grim and heart-warming, but there it is. Told by Joe in daily journal form we are privy to a stream-of-consciousness sort of view of his life. He confronts neglect and abuse with the equanimity of a child who has known almost nothing else, but everywhere he sees the good, the hopeful and the optimistic. His observations can be tart, bracing, or melancholy, but they are always keen and hopeful. This is not a la-di-dah simpleton view of life, but by allowing for the possibility of change and by introducing us to such a stalwart young hero the author, ultimately, has crafted a moving, poignant and affirmative story.

Is it fundamentally unrealistic and a bit pat? Sure; that's why it's fiction instead of a documentary. But for a confident middle grade reader looking for an introduction to some mature themes and characters this struck me as a solid and rewarding choice.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)