My Side of the Story

April 2, 2007
A troubled gay British teenager navigates the barbarity of adolescence in Davis's middling debut. It begins when 16-year-old Jazz's sister, "the nun," rats on him for sneaking out and going to gay bars. His overbearing mother freaks out, and family therapy soon follows, providing plenty of material for the quick-witted, self-hating narrator. Jazz, of course, continues carousing and eventually runs away. The escape is short-lived, and troubles at home and with bullies at school worsen, though it appears most of Jazz's problems aren't rooted in his sexuality but in his misanthropic attitude, which, though clearly an emotional feint, lacks nuance. The narration-rendered in a snotty teen argot (expect the abuse of "like")-will alienate as many readers as it hooks, and though much happens, little is resolved by novel's end.

March 5, 2007
A troubled gay British teenager navigates the barbarity of adolescence in Davis's middling debut. It begins when 16-year-old Jazz's sister, "the nun," rats on him for sneaking out and going to gay bars. His overbearing mother freaks out, and family therapy soon follows, providing plenty of material for the quick-witted, self-hating narrator. Jazz, of course, continues carousing and eventually runs away. The escape is short-lived, and troubles at home and with bullies at school worsen, though it appears most of Jazz's problems aren't rooted in his sexuality but in his misanthropic attitude, which, though clearly an emotional feint, lacks nuance. The narration-rendered in a snotty teen argot (expect the abuse of "like")-will alienate as many readers as it hooks, and though much happens, little is resolved by novel's end.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2007
The best thing about British author Davis' first novel is the chatty, self-deprecating, ultraironic voice he has created for his 16-year-old gay narrator, whose full name is (shudder) Jarold. "But," J. tells readers in one of many asides, "everyone calls me Jaz, which is a damn sight cooler I think you'll agree." Poor Jaz: all he wants is a little fun at the local gay pub, where he hangs with his best friend Al (short for Alice), but the two kids keep encountering their sobersided teacher Mr. Fallows and--in an effort to get him off their backs--launch a campaign they call "Finding a fellah for Fallows." But there are complications: Jaz inadvertently outs himself at school, his grandma has a stroke, his parents' marriage starts to disintegrate, and the chief object of his affection, an older man (he's 22), refuses to be involved with a teenager. These customary coming-of-age elements are saved from staleness by the freshness, humor, and honesty of Jaz's always-engaging voice.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)