Looking for JJ [Paperback]

Anne Cassidy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2009

Three children walked away from the cottages on the edge of town toward Berwick Waters. Later that day, only two of them came back. . . . Alice Tully knows exactly what happened that spring day six years ago, though it's still hard for her to believe it. She'll never be able to forget, even though she's trying to lead a normal life--she has a job, friends, and a boyfriend whom she adores. But Alice's past is dangerous, and violent, and sad . . . and it's about to rip her new life apart. Includes a reader's guide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dark, chilling and clever."--Celia Rees, author of The Wish House and Blood Sinister

"Compassionate, unsensational and unflinching."--The Guardian (London)

"A skillful tale. . . . The ethical issues and solid, suspenseful storytelling provide many discussion possibilities."--Booklist

"A sympathetic look at someone who has done the unspeakable and now has to live with the results."--KLIATT

About the Author

Anne Cassidy started writing fiction more than fifteen years ago and is a well-known author of several novels for teenagers, including "Looking for JJ", "Missing Judy", "Talking Judy", "Talking to Strangers", "Tough Love", and "Birthday Blues", all published in England. Looking for JJ was shortlisted for both the Whitbread Award and the Carnegie Medal; it won the Booktrust Teenage Book Award in 2004. Ms. Cassidy lives in East London.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Graphia; Reprint edition (April 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152066381
• ISBN-13: 978-0152066383
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,641,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars look around you, June 28, 2009

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Looking for JJ (Paperback)

Jennifer Jones murdered her best friend and buried her alive. She was only 10 years old. She has done her time in a prison for 5 and a half years. Jennifer has been released and has to try and put her past behind her. Only Jennifer's probation officer Jill and reporter friend Rosie know the truth. The novel follows Jennifer as she tries to make a new life for herself. The book was very thought provoking. In today's society we never really know who is around us. They may be hiding a big secret, and who knows how they may react when the secret comes out. I would only recommend the book to mature readers. There are adults theme and violence in the book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, October 4, 2007

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking for JJ (Hardcover)

How well do you know the people around you? How do you know they are not hiding a huge secret like their past?

This is the second book I've read recently that casts light on how murderers who are children fit into society after serving time for their crime. Anne Cassidy's new book, LOOKING FOR JJ, will keep your interest until the very end. Not only does the author give details about what happened but she lays the framework as to possible causes of why it happened -- because that is just as important. I actually found myself feeling sorry for Jennifer, the girl who committed the crime, wishing it hadn't happened to her.

Michele Livingstone is dead. She died six years ago at the hands of her friend, JJ. Jennifer Jones has paid for what happened to Michele. There is no denying that Jennifer is responsible for Michele's death, but while reading the book I came to the conclusion that she wasn't the only one to blame. Is there one thing that controls when and how aggressive someone becomes? I really believe that genetic factors may contribute to behavior, but if a child is engaging in delinquent behavior it is probably due to peer influences and lapses in parenting.

Jen's home life while growing up wasn't exactly the "Leave it to Beaver" atmosphere. Her mom certainly wouldn't win any parenting awards and from an early age Jen learned how to get by on her own, alone. Craving love, it is understandable that Jennifer had anger issues. The question is can people change? Can violent deeds of the past be forgiven with the passage of time?

Jennifer is about to be released from jail and the press has made it front page news once again. Is JJ still a danger to other children? Where is she going to live now? Will the family of the dead girl try to get revenge?

Alice Tully, like everyone else, follows the stories in the paper with keen interest. The only thing is that Alice knows something no one else does. She knows where Jennifer Jones is. Only three other people know her whereabouts. What is the connection between Alice Tully and Jennifer Jones? Why does Alice live in constant fear? Who is Alice Tully exactly? Read the book to find out.....

Reviewed by: coollibrarianchick

2.0 out of 5 stars Looking for JJ, January 26, 2012

By 

morgomaniac - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking for JJ (Paperback)

This book from my collection of books named after family members. It wasn't about the JJ I know, as I first thought it might be.

I thought the book was rather interesting, but it was written to a junior high level audience; except, some of the content seemed a bit beyond that age group (but not as bad as some TV). And some of the behavioral patterns of the main character just seemed to be inconsistent---being such a caring person, then such a jerk. A single event in JJ's life destroys her childhood, then she is reformed; but she can not get her life back.

The story seems to be telling young teens that mistakes in life can be forgiven and won't destroy you, so get back on your feet. While at the same time, it seems to be telling young teens not to make a mistake because your life will be ruined forever, and you will need to live in obscurity. Best just to skip teen years.