VeganYANerds: What's Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long

What’s Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long

Published August 1, 2012 by Pan Macmillan UK

Source: Pan Macmillan Australia

Rating: 4 paws

From the blurb: Sometimes life throws you a massive curveball...
"Me and my sister are twins. She's Jolene and I'm Jody. We've both got brown hair, we're both left-handed and we both have these weirdly long little toes which make us look like long-toed mutants. But apart from that, I'd say we're fairly different.Well, actually, we're a lot different... "It's complicated enough being one half of the world's least identical twins, without both of you falling for the same guy. Jolene's turned flirting into a fine art, but Jody? Not so much. And as if a twinny love triangle wasn't messy enough... there's something nobody knows about Jody Barton. Something BIG.

What’s Up with Jody Barton? by Hayley Long is set in Willesden, a suburb of North West London. Jody and twin sister Jolene are sixteen and attend their local high school. They live above their parents' diner and help out cooking and serving food after school and on weekends. One day a new boy, Liam, comes into the diner and Jody falls a little bit in love with him but so does Jolene although she’s totally unaware of how Jody feels. Jody decides to help Jolene get Liam instead.

I really love being surprised by books and this is a book that definitely stunned me. I read up to page 107 and then when something was revealed I stopped and went right back to the beginning and started re-reading to see if there was anything I’d missed. Obviously I don’t want to give anything away but I was really impressed with how author Hayley managed to paint a picture and then change it all so quickly.

I’m going to keep this short because I’m limited in what I can say but I found Jody to be a smart, funny character who is obsessed with The Doors and River Phoenix. It's always nice when a main character has a hobby or an interest and I really believed that Jody loved the band and the actor, a lot. The story is littered with drawings Jody has done in various notebooks and I liked that addition to the book. Jody’s voice is so strong and both Jody and Jolene sounded like proper teens. The secondary characters felt just as realistic, I had a really clear impression of Jolene as well as the twins’ parents and I really felt for Jody’s friend, Chatty Chong.

This book tackles some topics that teens definitely should be reading about (bullying and sexual orientation) and it does so in a way that will be easy for them to identify with and I hope will provoke some thought on the subjects.

What’s Up With Jody Barton? is a very fun, lively story that’s quick to read while still covering some serious topics relevant to teens today with plenty of pop cultural references that will appeal to teens and adults.

Purchase: Angus & Roberston / Booktopia / Bookworld / Dymocks

Thank you to the lovely people at PanMacmillan Australia for my review copy.

21 comments:

Keertana said...: Oooh, you were THAT surprised? I clearly need to pick this one up ASAP! I love that I always discover new books on your blog, Mandee, and this one seems to be both deep and reflective AND very fun to read. A perfect combination? I think yes! ;) Fantastic review, dear! :D; 11 October 2012 7:39 am
April (BooksandWine) said...: You always read such interesting sounding books and this one is no exception! Jody sounds like my kind of main character :-); 11 October 2012 11:04 am
elena said...: AHH I am so curious about the reveal now! This sounds like my kind of book, it sounds super interesting and I'm glad they handled issues so well. Great review!; 11 October 2012 12:40 pm
Jenn said...: I'm drawn to this one because I'm a non-identical twin myself and my sister and I are so different. There aren't a lot of YA titles that I've scene that have twin girls as main characters.; 11 October 2012 12:57 pm
Sharon ObsessionwithBooks said...: I haven't heard of this one before now but you have me quite curious!

It sounds like a fun read & I like when YA novels touch on thought provoking 'real' subjects.

Thank-you for sharing Mandee :); 11 October 2012 1:06 pm
Alex (A Girl, Books, OtherThings) said...: It sounds fun, so I'm gonna see if it's available in bookdepository
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Thanks for the review, I hadn't heard about this book before but it sounds like something I would like :) I like twin stories :D; 11 October 2012 5:07 pm
Hilda K said...: Aww, I love the sound of this book! Haha, I think I'm going to enjoy the pop cultural reference. :) This sounds like a great book that I'm going to enjoy, especially when I was younger. <3 The fact that something surprised you so much is very intriguing too! x)

Fabulous review as always, Mandee! <3 I always enjoy how I can find new, great books every time I visit your blog! <3 :); 11 October 2012 6:17 pm
Sarah (saz101) said...: Ooooh, Mandee, this sounds FUN!
And I am so so SO INTRIGUED ABOUT THIS SURPRISE. *THAT* big? Seriously?

Ooh.. uh... I maybe just googled and found out the spoiler.

Uh... :O :O :O

OK, seriously. WOW. (please don't hate me)

THis sounds FUN. I'm so glad you loved it, and MANDEE. YOUR REVIEW IS MADE OF WIN! ♥; 11 October 2012 9:12 pm
Andrea @The Bookish Babes said...: You always have the most interesting books for review. This sounds like a great story. I'm dying to know what happens on pg 107! Great review, Mandee!; 11 October 2012 11:37 pm
jowearsoldcoats said...: I love books that make me go back and re-read the beginning all over again!

I've never heard of this one but it sounds fantastic.

Yet again, wonderful review, Mands. You've convinced me. :); 12 October 2012 2:15 am
Adriana (BooksOnHerMind) said...: You get the most prettiest covers. You know that?

I like that there are drawing additions. I don't think I've ever reread more than 100 pages of a book I'm already reading. It;s usually that last couple of pages that I feel like I completely missed because of the new shock.

Like the topics it covers as well. Nice review (:
She’s Got Books on Her Mind; 12 October 2012 10:00 am
Alexa said...: I love how you make it sound like the book completely bowled you over! It makes me absolutely curious to read this book, so thanks for sharing!; 12 October 2012 10:54 am
australianbookshelf said...: The 80s aspect sells this book for me. Great review Mandee, sounds like you really enjoyed it.; 12 October 2012 3:10 pm
Anna @annascottjots said...: I really, really must get hold of this one. There's nothing more satisfying than a clever plot twist that's subtle and not rammed down the reader's throat. Thanks for the review Mand!
Random fact - I bought our gerbils from a guy in Willesden Green; 12 October 2012 8:43 pm
Katja Weinert said...: I'm intrigued! I want to know the really BIG thing that's up with Jody :). Sounds like a lovely read. Thanks for sharing.; 12 October 2012 9:08 pm
Estelle @ Rather Be Reading said...: You know, I've been dying to read a book set in London lately. This one sounds really great, and the fact that you were stunned and turned around and started from the beginning? haha. I love that!

It really sounds like you enjoyed reading this one! Plus that cover is great!; 12 October 2012 11:57 pm
Carly said...: I have this myself, but I keep putting it off for some reason. I'm glad you enjoyed it, I like that it handles tough issues that are relevant to today's teenagers! I think I will have to get round to this one soon! Thanks for a great review. :); 13 October 2012 2:37 am
Leanne said...: Teriffic review, Mandee! It's always the best feeling to have a book surprise you into a dumbfounded silence, isn't it? :) I'll certainly be reading this soon- your review was incredily persuasive!; 14 October 2012 11:41 am
Sam said...: I think this might just be the sort of contemporary read I enjoy. I love it when the main character has a distinct and likeable voice. Lovely review, Mandee! :); 14 October 2012 11:04 pm
Flannery Anderson said...: You've done it again, you jerk. I hate when you make me intrigued.; 18 October 2012 9:42 am
Britt said...: This sounds lovely. I hope I get a chance to check it out soon. :); 23 October 2012 8:04 am