Jess has just been caught for shoplifting – for the third time. She is now doing community service, helping to clean up the local park. Nicu has also been caught shoplifting, also for the third time. He is part of the same community service, where they weed, sweep and pick up rubbish. This is where they meet. Jess comes from an unhappy home with her mum and her abusive stepdad, and Nicu, from Romania, is continually racially abused by the boys at school. His dad’s main aim is to make ‘sacks of cash’ so that he can pay for a ‘lady wife’ for Nicu when they go back home. This, says Nicu, who is only 15, ‘causes gigantic sore in my head’.

Nicu thinks Jess is very beautiful but Jess isn’t interested. He’s really not her type. But somehow the relationship grows and the bond becomes stronger as they learn about each other’s problems. As the problems get more serious, however, they both agree that they are probably the only ones who can save each other.

I really admire how these two authors have co-written this book. The story is told from dual points of view. Jess expresses herself so capably, while Nicu tugs at our heartstrings with his broken English. The book is written in verse, which means, with fewer words on each page, the impact is so much greater.

It’s so shocking that young people are stuck in difficult situations such as this, with little or no understanding from others around them. Here are two kids, two voices, and some of the most powerful and emotional verse that you’ll ever read in a novel. Heartbreaking but so true to life.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age guide 15+