The touching and funny story of family life with a boy with special needs. Based on the author’s own family life.
Joe loves chips and music and ice cream and running away. He doesn’t mean to run away – he’s just running.
Life with Joe is lots of fun but it’s hard work too. You have to remember to lock the windows, hide the sugar, shut the gate. But somehow, Joe always ends up with jam in his hair or missing one of his shoes.
But this is no ordinary Joe. He has a secret superpower. The power to make everyone love him.
No Ordinary Joe is based on Siobhán's childhood with her own brother, so it has a ring of truth. It's not really a story where something particular happens, more a slice of life in this chaotic, loving family.
I enjoyed this. It's funny and realistic and the characters are much more patient than I am. I mean, no one knows how they'd react in that situation, but still. I'm afraid I'd be more Gran than .
I do have a small rant, which I'm colouring to hide it; highlight if you want to read it, otherwise skip on.
He introduces his friend Nadia with that dreadful phrase 'not like other girls', which in this case seems to mean she likes to climb trees and enjoys enviromentalism. Granted, the narrator is a ten year old boy. But the audience is also ten years old, and if they read this, they'll get the message that girls aren't 'supposed' to climb trees or worry about complicated things. I'm sure the author didn't intend this interpretation, but it's there anyway and if I saw it, others will as well.
I loved the way all the characters came together at the end when it mattered, and the ending was great. I'd love to read more about this family if there are more stories to come. I hope there are; Siobhán Daffy is a talent to watch out for in future.
No Ordinary Joe publishes on the 5th of August, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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