Looked After Boy

This book is brilliant, but absolutely tragic. The author has worked as a teacher and is a foster carer, suggesting that while this is a work of fiction, it is surely influenced by her experiences and this just makes it more harrowing. I work in education and so have had training on county lines but reading this story makes it far more real, because we see everything from Joe's point of view.

The story follows a family and the abuse that the children and mother experience at the hands of the father. I don't want to say much more because I think this book was even more powerful for encountering events as Joe experienced them, but I will say that I hope Pete's character is based on someone real. Every child, particularly those in foster care, deserve someone like him in their corner.

For readers 13+, this novel tackles difficult, but topical issues. It is a hard hitting, heart breaking, moving and gritty tale of children facing far more challenges than they should.
The main character Joe, struggles to find his own voice in a world that constantly puts him down. After years of neglect, Joe and his siblings are taken into care and separated. He is let down by the system supposedly protecting him from failures and betrayals but he doesn’t let this stop him from trying to get his family back together. Unfortunately for Joe this is not as straightforward as it could be and he faces yet more betrayal and his own issues before he can look forward to a new future.
Joe’s unique voice speaks out from the very first page, dealing with loss, separation and fear. It also offers hope too.
I recommend this to teenagers, being careful though around the content and trigger points for some.
I would like to thank Netgalley and for an advance review copy of Looked after Boy in return for an honest review.

A hard hitting topic and the author clearly understands what she is writing about. It is a subject area which needs highlighting and this book goes someway to doing this and is not afraid to touch on the reality of the situation which is brave and great to read. The writing doesn't quite match the level of ideas and insight but there is a gritty story here and one which needs to be told.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this hard-hitting, gritty read.

Having worked as a foster carer for teenagers this book leapt at me, I had to read it.

The author has done well to portray the grim reality for many children and young people in the care system, the frustration at social workers not turning up, not being listened to, being labelled, being pushed from pillar to post without good reason or explanation, being targeted, being used.

It is hard-hitting, heart-breaking, scary, and very, very real.

I found the writing to be a bit clunky at times, the main protagonist’s speech patterns (many sentences ending with ‘see’) an irritation and not necessary, I understand he was trying to explain things, but it just felt a grind and detracted away from a great plot unfolding.

I would however still recommend this to the students at my school, being careful though around the content and trigger points for some.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc.

A story about the care system aimed at young readers. Lots of stereotypes are used. I like how the emotions of the children involved are really vivid.

Joe and his brothers and sisters suffer at the hands of an emotionally and physically abusive father with no end in sight. The system fails him and his siblings and they are all place in care, separated from each other. Things go from bad to worse as we see what can happen to young people when placed in care and lost in the system, failed by those who should be looking out for them most. A harrowing story of a boy's attempts to cope with life in care. A must read for young people and educators alike.

This was an emotional, heartbreaking read at times. Joe is a wonderful character who faces heartbreak at every turn. All he wants is to get his family back together but he meets obstacles at every turn. We really get to see Joe's character, his caring nature, his determination to succeed. Lynda Brennan really understands the history of the care system too and how it has failed so many innocent children allowing many to fall through the cracks, suffer neglect and become forever entwined in a life of care for them and their offspring. Although upsetting, I really championed Joe and won't forget him in a hurry.