A gripping and emotionally searing novel from a talented author, Looking for JJ explores the circumstances and motives behind the murder of a child - by her friend. Six years later, JJ has now been released, and has a new identity. But is there any way that she can lead a "normal" life?
Looking For JJ
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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By Sunfish
Format:Paperback
Ignore what everyone's saying: this book isn't a murder mystery. It's the story of Alice Tully, seventeen years old, outwardly normal but a mess inside. Alice is deeply disturbed and insecure. At the age of ten, Alice murdered another child and was imprisoned. Newly released, she's trying to forget the incident, start a new life and cast off her old baggage. Somehow she can't get rid of her past trauma.
In the book, we follow Alice through a short period of her life: she's working in a coffee shop, living with a carer/social worker and trying to avoid the press.
The novel is interspersed with chilling vignettes from Alice's childhood. We see her neglected as a little girl, her depressed mother working sporadically as a model. We see her packed off to live with Gran, to live in a care-home, until finally Mum turns up and takes her away. We see her mother sinking lower and lower, and the child's tension building up and up - until the intense climax.
This is a fine novel that questions our habit of labelling people. As a killer, Alice is labelled EVIL and UNREACHABLE. The author shows that she's not evil, not unreachable: just deeply miserable and confused. The labels only serve to alienate Alice.
This novel made me resolve to take care of the children I might have, and never to neglect them. As Ms Cassidy so wisely points out, neglect in all its forms can be worse than any abuse.
In the book, we follow Alice through a short period of her life: she's working in a coffee shop, living with a carer/social worker and trying to avoid the press.
The novel is interspersed with chilling vignettes from Alice's childhood. We see her neglected as a little girl, her depressed mother working sporadically as a model. We see her packed off to live with Gran, to live in a care-home, until finally Mum turns up and takes her away. We see her mother sinking lower and lower, and the child's tension building up and up - until the intense climax.
This is a fine novel that questions our habit of labelling people. As a killer, Alice is labelled EVIL and UNREACHABLE. The author shows that she's not evil, not unreachable: just deeply miserable and confused. The labels only serve to alienate Alice.
This novel made me resolve to take care of the children I might have, and never to neglect them. As Ms Cassidy so wisely points out, neglect in all its forms can be worse than any abuse.
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By "mail18619"
Format:Hardcover
Every now and again something quite extraordinary is written that sweeps away any doubts you may have. This is the story about a child who, aged 10, killed another child, an appalling crime, and yet the child is not a monster. The plain, unadorned style is perfectly suited to the subject matter; the subject matter is handled so dexterously that you do not fear to read it, especially the crime itself, which is important. But most of all this is a masterly exercise in organisation and structure of material. There are a thousand ways this book could have been written badly and so ruined. Anne Cassidy avoids them all. I gave this book to my daughter, aged 15, when I finished. She hasn't been reading a lot lately, and she didn't read this: she DEVOURED it.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Looking for JJ is an excellent novel for young adults. It tell Alice Tully's story as she settles into life after being released from prison. She has been given a new identity and hopes to start a new life. At the start of the book this seems possible; she has a place at university and a loving, if slightly possessive, boyfriend, but things will never be easy for Alice Tully. In a series of flashbacks her crime is revealed - when she was only ten she murdered her best friend.
In this novel Anne Cassidy examines several themes. The friendship between the young girls is shown to be a battleground, with a power struggle at the centre. The different sets of parents show how selfish some parents can be, and what effect this can have. The media treatment of Alice show us just how vindictive they are, how they stop at nothing to get their story. The characterisation of the girls when they are young is excellent as is Alice's Mum; however her social work seems like a bit of a stereotype.
However, I feel the main theme 'children killing children' is skimmed over, probably because there is so little evidence to go on or maybe because it is too horrific to think about, never mind write about. Having read this novel I did some research into child killers on the internet and it is a very disturbing topic, it is too easy to write these people of as freaks of nature, but they were all ordinary kids at one point and they have to live with the crimes they have commited.
Overall, a good, thought-provoking novel.
In this novel Anne Cassidy examines several themes. The friendship between the young girls is shown to be a battleground, with a power struggle at the centre. The different sets of parents show how selfish some parents can be, and what effect this can have. The media treatment of Alice show us just how vindictive they are, how they stop at nothing to get their story. The characterisation of the girls when they are young is excellent as is Alice's Mum; however her social work seems like a bit of a stereotype.
However, I feel the main theme 'children killing children' is skimmed over, probably because there is so little evidence to go on or maybe because it is too horrific to think about, never mind write about. Having read this novel I did some research into child killers on the internet and it is a very disturbing topic, it is too easy to write these people of as freaks of nature, but they were all ordinary kids at one point and they have to live with the crimes they have commited.
Overall, a good, thought-provoking novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read!!!
I remember reading this book when I was a lot younger about 7 years ago I think. Reading it again as like a breath if fresh air. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Mohima
5.0 out of 5 stars
READ THIS BOOK !!!
I read this book in yr 7 after my primary school years were made up of reading Jacqueline Wilson. This book was fantastic. It's relevant, mature and a very interesting read. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Voke :D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looking for JJ
My daughter loves this book, I gave it to her for Christmas along with a few other of Anne Cassidys book, but she loved this one the most. She and I would recommend it to anyone!
Published 4 months ago by Po
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
I absolutely love this book, it is definately one of my favourites. I read it last year at school and as a 13 year old i adored it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by megan l
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, gripping, and deadly!
I will say first of all, this book is one of the best I have ever read, I have now read it three times and it is still as breathtaking as the first time I read it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looking for JJ
I am a 15 year old girl and this is one of, if not THE best book I've read in my albeit short lifetime. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Alison
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK, but ultimately not gripping enough (considering the topic...)
In an age where everything has already happened at least once before and nothing can shock us anymore, it's hard to find just that one truly horribly shocking event. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Els De Clercq
5.0 out of 5 stars
Playing the blame game
Powerful and thought-provoking; this novel challenged my perceptions and tugged on my heartstrings. The character of Alice will always be haunted by what she did; much like John... Read more
Published on 17 April 2011 by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Open your eyes
Looking for JJ is a book about a girl called Alice Tully, and her hard, miserable and indescribable life. It is the story of her childhood, with very disturbing flashbacks. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2010 by Bobble Head Readers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looking for JJ - a unique book, very well written
A very moving book which has been cleverly written by Anne Cassidy. This book is in my opinion the best book that Anne has written. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2010 by Molly
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