The story of Jason, a boy at Heronford School for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The journal tells of the comic and sometimes uncomfortable day to day events at the school, with Jason, his teachers and classmates. And it explores his family life with his mother, who has recently given up taking heroin, and her violent, drug-taking ex-boyfriend, who returns unexpectedly. And then there is the storyteller who works at the school. He tells the boys the Russian folktale of a young man with a faithful horse, who overcomes a manipulative king. Jason is searingly, touchingly honest about his life and relationships, and through his journal he begins to reach an understanding of himself.
This is a brilliant debut teenage novel, to be compared with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
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An insightful and moving account of Jason's life and how he struggles to overcome the odds.
(Bookseller)Gritty and emotional
(Parents in Touch)A very funny, yet moving, novel.
(School Librarian)'A moving, first person story that captures the frustrations and pent-up fury of a boy with a lot of problems… Jason’s journal portrays a journey from despair to hope for a better life ahead.'
(Comment by Julia Eccleshare Love Reading - May 2012 Featured Book of the Month)'This is a very funny book, capturing a compelling teenage voice, and unfolding an ultimately heart-warming story of how broken families can mend.'
(The Tangled Leaves of Anniseed blog)'Utterly heartbreaking … But I also found myself laughing out loud at the brutal honesty in the journal … I loved the book.'
(Teen Titles)From the Back Cover
Friday
Pete says this is a writing book he's only giving ME and it's PRIVATE and I can write what I want. But SORRY PETE there's nothing I want to write...
Wednesday
Pete's alright but it's a DUMB idea he's got about this book because the problem last year was what FATHEAD BARRY and the others were saying about my mum. And what happens if they start DISSING her again?
Saturday
I'm writing this because of what's happened. And that is my mum's ex-boyfriend JON SHOWED UP. And BOTH his arms were BROKEN...
A searingly honest, funny and totally brilliant debut novel
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I was initially attracted to this YA novel as I used to teach French to a wide variety of pupils from top stream to those who faced severe behavioural and emotional challenges on a daily basis. I was keen to see how an author would recreate the voice of a youth who struggles to fit into "mainstream" education and I think he's got it spot on.
The novel takes the form of a journal/diary written by young Jason who has the opportunity to move onto a mainstream school if he's on his best behaviour but as we gradually discover, it's rather hard not to LOSE IT when his mum looks like she might go back on drugs, when he is continually riled by his classmates, when he has to listen to the platitudes of the teachers. At first he treats the diary project as some sort of joke, a way of fooling his teacher, Pete, into thinking he's actually doing some work but gradually he puts down in words the truth about his home situation...but the diary is confidential so how can anyone else help?
As well as gaining insight into Jason's home life we also see life in school, warts and all with the tiniest slight sending some pupils over the edge. One scene reminded me of the time a chair was thrown in my direction...but I had the good sense to duck! I have so much admiration for teachers who can draw on infinite amounts of patience and creativity to help disadvantaged and disaffected children and are happy to see progress on a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute scale rather than throwing in the towel. I think the author does an excellent job of representing the work done by such professionals.
This is a very honest portrayal of one boy's life, with a fair injection of humour too - well worth reading and recommended for both young teens and adults in need of a hefty dose of empathy.
The novel takes the form of a journal/diary written by young Jason who has the opportunity to move onto a mainstream school if he's on his best behaviour but as we gradually discover, it's rather hard not to LOSE IT when his mum looks like she might go back on drugs, when he is continually riled by his classmates, when he has to listen to the platitudes of the teachers. At first he treats the diary project as some sort of joke, a way of fooling his teacher, Pete, into thinking he's actually doing some work but gradually he puts down in words the truth about his home situation...but the diary is confidential so how can anyone else help?
As well as gaining insight into Jason's home life we also see life in school, warts and all with the tiniest slight sending some pupils over the edge. One scene reminded me of the time a chair was thrown in my direction...but I had the good sense to duck! I have so much admiration for teachers who can draw on infinite amounts of patience and creativity to help disadvantaged and disaffected children and are happy to see progress on a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute scale rather than throwing in the towel. I think the author does an excellent job of representing the work done by such professionals.
This is a very honest portrayal of one boy's life, with a fair injection of humour too - well worth reading and recommended for both young teens and adults in need of a hefty dose of empathy.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The book certainly has an interesting format, laid out and written as if it is an actual diary. For those of a certain age, Adrian Mole will ring some distant bells, but this is deeper, darker and much more `real' than anything Adrian would have come across in his banal suburban existence.
It is well written and full of raw emotion, anger, hurt, frustration and at times, joy. The reader is truly given an insight into a darker life, an existence that is fraught and tormented by the unknown and the unexpected. I liked it for its gritty sense of reality and the complex interactions that it lays out in the pages.
For an older teen methinks, and adults of all ages.
It is well written and full of raw emotion, anger, hurt, frustration and at times, joy. The reader is truly given an insight into a darker life, an existence that is fraught and tormented by the unknown and the unexpected. I liked it for its gritty sense of reality and the complex interactions that it lays out in the pages.
For an older teen methinks, and adults of all ages.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
'A Waste of Good Paper' is a young adult novel presented in the format of first-personal narration as a troubled young boy's journal, which he is writing under sufferance as a project set by a teacher at his special school (which he attends as a consequence of his behavioural difficulties). The style takes a little getting used to but the story is engaging and the diary format becomes less jarring once you become acquainted with the characters.
The author taught periodically in a school for boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and this is evident from the authentic tone. A good read.
The author taught periodically in a school for boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and this is evident from the authentic tone. A good read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable and pleasant read, slightly unrealistic,
As someone who occassionally deals with kids with behavioural problems, I was read it, enjoyed it and wondered about the material. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Jack Chakotay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful and well told
Journal style suited the story. Interesting narrator perspective - boy with behavioural difficulties. Frustrating at times - why could he not control himself?! Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. J. Noyes
4.0 out of 5 stars
A thought-provoking read
This story is told from the point of view of Jason, a teen boy who attends a school for troubled teenagers. Read more
Published 9 months ago by L. White
4.0 out of 5 stars
A strong story made even better by its great voice. Recommended...
The extracts given in the blurb are absolutely typical of the whole book. Jason's voice is strong and refreshing and sounds absolutely authentic for a teen boy in his situation. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mrs. B. S. Kemp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Convinced a non-reader to read
I gave this book to a 12 year-old boy who we recently started fostering. He does not normally read novels, thought it sounded like a stupid book, and didn't seem interested at all. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. D. N. Sumption
4.0 out of 5 stars
An insightful read...
I thought I'd reviewed this one, but it's nowhere to be found.. so now it's a while since I've read it. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Michelle Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotionally powerful YA book about pain, rage and isolation
When Jason's teacher gives him a notebook and tells him to write in it every day, Jason doesn't see the point. Writing doesn't change anything. Read more
Published 12 months ago by I Read, Therefore I Blog
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very unlikely hero - should be read by all in teaching.
Not many books written for young teens have a central character like Jason Dooley or deal with such tough topics. Read more
Published 13 months ago by A. I. McCulloch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual and poignant
This book is written on lined paper and the typeface is made to look like an adolescent's writing. This works as it looks like a journal. Read more
Published 13 months ago by P Campbell
4.0 out of 5 stars
a good read
This book is set around Jason who attends a school for children with behaviour problems.
At times it was hard hitting but with strong characters. Read more
At times it was hard hitting but with strong characters. Read more
Published 13 months ago by G. Cook
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