What is it about the UK that prompts its authors to be so "in your face" with the text and language? The cover of this book looks like it would appeal to younger readers but four pages in and the swearing starts thick and fast! Admittedly the F-word is represented with an F*** but other slang terms are not. There's discussion of masturbation, being gay, watching porn and a whole lot more which spoils the actual story. Josh is in his final months of school, wants to be a death metal guitarist, loves his ferret Ozzy (named after Ozzy Osbourne), doesn't know why girls don't like him, misses his Dad who died when he was a child, has an ok relationship with his older sister and is actually quite good at his schoolwork. He works as a dishwasher at the Duck pub, goes to Scouts, walks his neighbors' dogs and helps his mum keep housebound people company. Josh also has three similarly odd-man -out friends : Peter (I think I'm gay), Ollie ( rich but not the brightest tool ) and Davey (possibly has an eating disorder) to keep sane and happy.
This could have been such a better book if the author has just cleaned it up a little. As it is, I can only recommend it to the higher levels who will think it is a little kids' book! Pity. ( )