Joseph

In an ideal world, teenagers aren't responsible for taking care of their parents. Joseph doesn't live in an ideal world, though. As a matter of fact, he lives about as far from it as humanly possible. Forced to change schools yet again due to the fact he and Mamma are living in a new shelter, Joseph isn't worried about fitting in as much as he's worried about the other students finding out that Mamma is an addict. Desperate to keep family services from finding out about Mamma's lies, alcohol, and drug abuse, and worried about Daddy, who is away fighting in Iraq, there doesn't seem to be room for something as seemingly unimportant as the tennis team. But Joseph wants to play, just like Daddy did. JOSEPH is a story of love and loyalty, of hardship and determination, and of the cruel, ugly reality of addiction. It's also a story of will; the will to survive and the will to succeed, regardless of one's circumstances and background. It's a story that every person, young or old, should read before they consider using their childhood as an excuse to be a victim. Reviewed by: Angie Fisher

Sheila Moses tells the story of Joseph, an impressionable teenager with something to hide. He has just been transfered to a new high school and he is looking forwarded to trying out for the school's tennis team. Finding his way through high school is the least of his worries. Joseph and his mother are living in a shelter and his father is in Iraq. Joseph wants to live with his aunt but not without his mother. No one wants to put up with loud talking, lying Betty. Betty is addicted to drugs and hopelessly in love with Jospeh's father. What's a young man to do? Moses paints a very dark and realistic story of a young man who desparately wants a normal life but his love for his mother prevents him from leaving. Despite everything that his mother has done, Joseph believes that he his love can save his mother. Having worked with foster kids, I have witnessed plenty of kids like Joseph. Moses's story is written for young adults. I strongly recommend this book for all to read.

"Joseph" is a moving story about a young high school student facing many problems for someone his age. His father is away fighting in Iraq; he left Joseph's mama because he was fed up with her and her addictions. Joseph is living in a homeless shelter in a rough North Carolina ghetto. He tries to keep his life a secret but his mother always finds a way to mess that up. He has just enrolled into a new school and tries to act like he's a normal 15-year-old, instead of a homeless youth raising his mother who's never sober enough to show Joseph the love/affection he needs. He tries to hold his torn family together and survive each day, one day at a time. I highly recommend this book to all readers and give it 5 stars with 2 thumbs up. Reviewed by: Mike OOSA Teen Reviewer

I enjoyed this read about a young boy who is dealing with his drug-addicted mother, but it was disturbing to think about all the other boys (or girls) who can relate to this tale. Considering I have known women who were addicted to drugs, his mother's attitude was all too familiar and irritating. The characters were easy to picture, and I like how Joseph went against the grain of the basketball playing boy from the hood to someone who wanted to do something different--tennis. Cons: The book was an easy read and the dialogue (for the most part) was realistic, although every blue moon, I'd find some conversations that were just a little too proper for the speakers (ex. "I want you now and I have always wanted you, my son," was said by the father). Lines like that sound like a Karate Kid movie. I can't see his father referring to him as such a formal title "my son" unless he was speaking to someone else about him.

Seems like every urban family is affected by someone who is on drugs. We try to hide the ugliness. Crack has sucked the life out of communities, neighborhood and families. But what about the children? How do they process this "abnormality?" How does being homeless affect the psyche of a child? Well, Shelia P. Moses book tries to give us the feelings of a teenage boy who struggles with these complex questions and issues. I highly recommend this book as story to "break the ice" for children who know other children who know family members who are on drugs or if they know family members themselves. By putting "a voice" a secret and shedding light on the darkness - children will feel safer. Good book. Simple enough from someone 8 to read and understand and good therapy for someone 18 years and older too. Though fiction, I could relate to this story - and it gave me hope! Pam Perry Chocolate Pages Reviews [..]