Jesse Flood is 14 and coming to terms with lots of things. But coming to terms with himself and how he fits in with the world is not going to be too easy for Jesse. He thinks he is doubtful, timid and too gentle - but he is also courageous and brave and when faced with difficult choices he is good at making them. For example he knows he likes a girl with lovely long yellow hair - and he is going to let her know! In Jesse Flood, Malachy Doyle has created an enchanting and utterly believable young man who we watch with concern and admiration growing up over the course of one summer. Who is Jesse Flood? By the end of the book both Jesse and the reader have a much clearer picture than they do at the start and he is not at all bad! "A really good novel. It brings Jesse Flood to life, and allows us to see into his mind and heart." David Almond 'Another story of a teenager suffering the anguish of growing up in a dysfunctional family, coping with his mother leaving and a feeling that he is different and doesn't belong, desperately searching for his own identity Well, yes it is in many ways! But there is something extra here, something which lifts the tale from the ordinary.Certainly the opening is gripping Then there is the feeling that you are right inside the mind of the lad. There are just enough chilling incidents to hold your interest, and lastly, the well written ending is satisfying, even hopeful, without giving the false hope of a completely happy conclusion.' Carousel

 

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards

This book is part of a book series called Junior Library Guild Selection .

There are 176 pages in this book.

It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.

This book was published in 2002 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC .

Malachy Doyle lives in Wales where he works full time as a writer. He has written many other books for children, including our own OWEN AND THE MOUNTAIN and this is his first book for young adults.