Joseph is a young boy living a crazy life. He lives in a shelter with his mother, while his father is away in Iraq. Joseph's mother is addicted to drugs, and thinks the life she's living is right. Joseph doesn't want to leave his mother because he thinks she will be lonely and no one will be there to take care of her. Everyone wants better for Joseph, but he refuses to leave his mother. This book teaches teenagers that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Things may be going on in someone's household and no one may never know. This book was a great read, and teaches valuable lessons. ( )

Reviewed by Angie Fisher for TeensReadToo.com

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. ( )

Joseph lives in poverty with his drug and alcohol addicted mother while his father fights in Iraq. Now a young teenager, the academically inclined Joseph gets a lucky break when a move takes him to a homeless shelter which is zoned to a privileged school – very unlike his previous educational experiences. Joseph is thrilled to be able to go to school where no one knows about him and his mother and where he sees opportunities all around him. However, there is always a fear that one day he will be unable to look out for his mother any longer.

Quote: “Do not sleep with any girl you do not want to be the mother of your child ten years from now.”

This is a nice piece of work for young adult fiction in a generic feel good kind of way. The story is a little predictable, the mother is really the child, the child really takes on more adult roles, like trying to keep the family safe and keep his mother from embarrassing him. It is important to tell stories about trying to change the situation you were born into for all ages, but even for the young people the book is geared for it seems to put a very simplistic spin on things. ( )

This is a very quick read, I read it this afternoon and enjoyed it. Joseph is 15, and lives in a homeless shelter with his drug addicted mother. His father does not live with him, but is supportive and communicates often from his military assignment in Iraq. Joseph struggles with his dual desires- he wants a better life for himself, but fears that if he doesn't watch over his mother she may not survive. The reader becomes very invested in Joseph as he seeks direction. This book is recommended for reluctant readers. ( )