Cover Image: The Prince of Steel Pier

The Prince of Steel Pier

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I thought that this book wasn't really interesting, but I think I might not be the best person to review this since I'm not a big historical fiction fan.

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More Jewish middle grade stories, please! I loved that this was a historical story that was set in a time other than the Holocaust. The writing was superb and the plot kept me engaged throughout.

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An immersive read that sweeps you right into the 1970s and the hotel Joey Goodman's family helps run in the summers. From the first page I had to know more about this family, and the boy trying to find his place. This story had me laughing, and on edge concerned about Joey's choices and how his run in with the gangsters running Steel Pier would end.

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In The prince of steel Pier, Joey
is spending the summer at his grandparents' struggling hotel. Nobody in Joey's Jewish family takes him seriously but when " Joey's Skee-Ball skills land him an unusual job offer from a local mobster" he takes the job which develops into a major crush on an older girl. "disillusioned by the mob's bravado, and ashamed of his dishonesty, he recalls words of wisdom from his grandfather that finally resonate." Joey realizes that he belongs with his family and he won't have to battle things alone.
Joey is a fun character to see this world through as he learns and grows so much. He is that misunderstood hero, who is just trying to find himself in a large family. I like that we see so many different sides of him; it shows that kids have a deeper level. I enjoyed the setting from the family hotel to the boardwalk to the game arcade. I like the family drama, the relationship between him and his brothers felt real.

There are main plot lines of struggling family, money issues, being jew in this time period, siblings issues, and when others take advantage of people. I was surprised by the strong Mod role, I thought it was just going to be a light-ish plot like but it did go a bit to the darker side. How that all played out, kept me on the edge of my seat.
Historical middle grade about the truths and what it is like to be a kid with a big, yet, caring family.

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I feel like every time I read historical fiction, I find myself thinking I should read more of it, and THE PRINCE OF STEEL PIER definitely made me think that again. I really enjoyed the setting and time period. At one point, Joey talks about going to see the diving horses, and that made me want to watch WILD HEARTS CAN’T BE BROKEN again, which I haven’t seen in years.

I loved the scenes that showed Joey’s big Jewish family. His relationships with his brothers felt so real. Sometimes I couldn’t help laughing at the banter between them. At other times it was sad to see them growing apart.

Joey’s character totally drew me in. He chafed against the opinion he thought his family had of him as a weak or oversensitive person. But as he struck out on his own and tried to build a new reputation with Artie and his gang, Joey found that while they treated him like an independent person, they also expected things of him that he wasn’t sure he could give or even should give.

I thought the story balanced Joey’s character growth with the fast-paced plot pretty well. I felt like there was always just enough time to pause and explore Joey’s feelings before something new before the next conflict emerged.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book. Joey is a layered character who expertly guides us through his journey in a fascinating 1970s Atlantic City landscape.

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I found the concept of this book interesting, featuring a young teen in a transition period of his life, in a transition time period in Atlantic City. As a character Joey is very compelling and I could see how kids in the same age range would really identify with him. Joey is the third of four sons and really struggling to find his place in his family and in life itself, he feels like no one gets him and like he's sometime invisible or an afterthought - which is a feeling I think a lot of young readers may struggle with at some point. Throughout the story is the theme of Joey not only figuring out things about himself, but also determining what is right and wrong when he's exposed to some individuals associated with the mob.

He goes through a lot of growth in a small amount of time while also solidifying his place in a lot of ways. He learns a lot about life in general as well as his family and how society treats people they see as different than them. This book does touch on discrimination and while I don't know a lot personally about the Jewish faith, I appreciated the snippets of information throughout the book and really appreciated Joey's questions and contemplation on his own faith.

While some of the little twists were a tad predictable for me, I think they were perfect for the targeted age range for this story. I really enjoyed reading Joey's story and seeing how he grew along the way.

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It’s nine o’clock on Friday morning, and Mrs. Goldberg is definitely dead.

With that kind of first line I was pulled into this compelling drama set in 1975 Atlantic City, New Jersey.
13-year-old Joey narrates the story. He and his three brothers are spending the summer at their grandparent’s struggling hotel in Atlantic City. Joey feels unnoticed in his Jewish family but someone else does notice him. It’s a gangster known as the King of Steel Pier. They first meet while Joey is showing off his Skee-Ball skills. Artie treats Joey as one of the boys and gives him a job hanging out with his visiting daughter who turns out to be a few years older than Joey.

Next comes another request that makes Joey super uncomfortable. He’s asked to hide a package at his grandparent’s house—contents unknown. Not such a great idea, but it takes some time for Joey to realize that he’s going to need the help of his older brothers to escape from the grips of the King. Family turns out to be more important than anything else.

Joey’s voice is honest and funny. Atlantic City has gone downhill in the time before casinos arrived. You feel like you know the place along with the Boardwalk and Steel Pier.

A page turner with writing that sparkles. One of my favorites this year.

For teh full review visit: 13-year-old Joey narrates the story. He and his three brothers are spending the summer at their grandparent’s struggling hotel in Atlantic City. Joey feels unnoticed in his Jewish family but someone else does notice him. It’s a gangster known as the King of Steel Pier. They first meet while Joey is showing off his Skee-Ball skills. Artie treats Joey as one of the boys and gives him a job hanging out with his visiting daughter who turns out to be a few years older than Joey.

Next comes another request that makes Joey super uncomfortable. He’s asked to hide a package at his grandparent’s house—contents unknown. Not such a great idea, but it takes some time for Joey to realize that he’s going to need the help of his older brothers to escape from the grips of the King. Family turns out to be more important than anything else.

Joey’s voice is honest and funny. Atlantic City has gone downhill in the time before casinos arrived. You feel like you know the place along with the Boardwalk and Steel Pier.

A page turner with writing that sparkles. One of my favorites this year.

For the full review visit 13-year-old Joey narrates the story. He and his three brothers are spending the summer at their grandparent’s struggling hotel in Atlantic City. Joey feels unnoticed in his Jewish family but someone else does notice him. It’s a gangster known as the King of Steel Pier. They first meet while Joey is showing off his Skee-Ball skills. Artie treats Joey as one of the boys and gives him a job hanging out with his visiting daughter who turns out to be a few years older than Joey.

Next comes another request that makes Joey super uncomfortable. He’s asked to hide a package at his grandparent’s house—contents unknown. Not such a great idea, but it takes some time for Joey to realize that he’s going to need the help of his older brothers to escape from the grips of the King. Family turns out to be more important than anything else.

Joey’s voice is honest and funny. Atlantic City has gone downhill in the time before casinos arrived. You feel like you know the place along with the Boardwalk and Steel Pier.

A page turner with writing that sparkles. One of my favorites this year.

https://gpattridge.com/2022/08/28/the-prince-of-steel-pier/

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This was such an original, immersive book, both heartfelt and gripping. I really enjoyed the 1970's Atlantic City setting, and the vivid writing made it very easy to imagine. Joey is such an endearing protagonist, one that I would have loved to be friends with, and I felt very connected to his close-knit family. The plot is quickpaced and engaging, and I was really intrigued by a middle grade mobster story. It was incredibly well-done, and I can think of many middle grade readers that would absolutely love it. It's such a fresh, exciting take on historical fiction. I will definitely be recommending it to students and other teachers alike.

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An entertaining and thought-provoking coming-of-age story. Here are six things I loved about this novel:

• The main character
Thirteen-year-old Joey Goodman is a total mensch even when he temporarily loses his way.

• His big, boisterous Jewish family
I especially adored his three brothers, whose interactions are funny and realistic. Each family member is wonderfully distinct, which is so difficult to pull off, and when they’re together, it’s magical.

• Setting
Joey’s grandparents and uncle own a hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which is on the cusp of welcoming its first casinos. It’s great fun to get an insider’s peek at the hotel and at the boardwalk (bizarre ape woman show, rolling chairs and all).

• Great humor
Particularly from the family matriarchs.

• Themes
Joey worries that his sensitivity makes him weak, and that his family will always see him as an anxious kid who just needs to go lie down. When his mad Skee-Ball skills catch a mob boss’ eye, it’s understandable how seductive such attention can be. But when Joey begins secretly working for the boss, he’s quickly in over his head. Readers will relate to Joey’s unrequited crush on an older girl and the questions he ponders about identity—what’s true strength?—and faith.

• Jewish rep
It’s important for Jewish kids—and all kids—to see themselves as heroes in stories. It’s also critical for people who aren’t Jewish to read such stories. I enjoyed immersing myself in a culture and religion that isn’t my own. Although the story is set in the summer of 1975, the anti-Semitism Joey and his family encounter, unfortunately, could be taken from today’s headlines.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I only post about books I finished and enjoyed.

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I loved this compelling and heartfelt story! Joey Goodman is a 13-year-old Jewish boy growing up in seedy Atlantic City in the 1970s, during the transition from family-owned hotels and old-times boardwalk amusement parks to the rise of the casinos. He feels overlooked and underestimated in his large family busy with their family-run hotel, so he jumps at the opportunity to chaperone the 15-year-old daughter of the "king of steel pier" for a couple of weeks. Before he knows it, Joey is drawn into a shady world of mobsters and must juggle secrets and make choices about how to live in the world. An entertaining and thought-provoking story sure to be loved by middle grade readers.

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This book features a believable main character pondering some of life's big questions--when he's not crushing on a mobster's daughter or fighting with one of his brothers. Great characterizations and a fast-moving plot. Overall, an honest, funny, and wise book about growing up that I think will really appeal to middle-grade readers. I also loved the Jersey rep and the portrayal of a changing Atlantic City.

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E ARC provided by Netgalley

Joey loves spending his summers at his Bubbe and Zeyde's St. Bonaventure hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The hotel has been around for fifty years, since the 1920s, so is a bit worn out, but is a bustling destination for Jewish tourists to the area. Joey and his parents and three brothers, Reuben, Simon, and younger Ben, stay with their grandparents so they can work at the hotel in the summer. They usually live in Philadelphia, and their father goes back home to work during the week. Joey works as a waiter, although he doesn't get paid, and gets a fair amount of freedome to wander the area. During one of these outings, he puts down his tote bag with some winnings in it, and local tough Ralphie takes it. They have a bit of a scuffle over it, and Joey runs into Ralphie again when he goes to play some Skee-Ball on the Boardwalk. He does really well, and soon people are placing bets on his playing. This brings him to the attention of Artie, who offers Joey a job; for thirty dollars a week, which is huge money for the 1970s, Joey will entertain his daughter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and "keep her out of trouble". Joey has been saving up for a camera, so reluctantly agrees, even though he feels a need to lie to his family about his connection to Artie, who seems shady at best. Artie's daughter, Melanie, turns out to be 15. Joey is apprehensive about spending time with her, but money is money. The two go to some of the attractions on the Boardwalk, spend her father's money on food (some of which Joey can't eat because it isn't kosher), and come to an uneasy agreement that Joey isn't the worst "babysitter" that Melanie could have. Joey is worried about the future of the hotel, since gambling has been legalized and properties are being bought up to build new casinos. He's also worried about Artie's position as the "king of Steel Pier", since he knows his family wouldn't want him associating with people who had possible ties to organized crime. When Artie asks him to keep a package safe in his grandparents' storage room, Joey knows that he is in too deep, but isn't sure what to do. Luckily, older brother Reuben, who has been seeing Melanie in the evenings, is able to help him out. It's an interesting summer of new experiences in an area that is down on its luck and about to change entirely, but Joey is able to make the best of his opportunities.
Strengths: Ah, summer. I feel bad for today's children, who spend most of their summer shut up in the air conditioning playing video games and probably not talking to many people. I love books that showcase tourist areas from the point of view of local children, and since I've never been to the Steel Pier, this was absolutely fascinating. The descriptions were so vivid that I could practically smell the popcorn with hints of tar and rotting fish! There are plenty of good 1970s details that tell me that Ms. Nockowitz, who is a librarian here in Columbus, is about my age-- kids today don't get the joy that was St. Joseph's orange flavored chewable aspirin! The hotel is vividly described as well, and based on a similar hotel run by the author's grandparents. The feeling of living in a moment when the writing is on the wall that things will not go on the way they are is palpably sad, even though the way things are isn't perfect. Joey's family is close knit and supportive, and their Jewish cultural identity is woven into daily life.
Weaknesses: I was hoping for a little more Skee-Ball, having recently read Jon Chad's Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball. Also, there could have been more descriptions of clothing (Tank tops on boys! Tube socks with stripes! Tube tops and blue eyeshadow for Melanie!), food, music, and other mid 1970s cultural touch points. Will my students want this? No, this would be to help me relive my youth!
What I really think: There should be more historical fiction written by people who lived through various eras, so I would love to see more books like this, featuring the 1950s-1980s. The Prince of Steel Pier reminded me a bit of Collard's Double Eagle, and is a great choice to hand to readers who like Grabenstein's Welcome to Wonderland series. Definitely purchasing, and can't wait to hand to students!

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THE PRINCE OF STEEL PIER had me from the very first line. Joey Goodman’s voice! Distinctive and original, compelling and funny, honest and real. Set in 1970s Atlantic City, Stacy Nockowitz’s debut paints an extraordinary picture of a time and place I haven’t often seen in middle grade historical fiction… and it made me want more. Set against a backdrop of gangsters, skee-ball, a loving and supportive Jewish family and community, and the end of an era on the famed New Jersey boardwalk, Joey’s coming-of-age resonates so beautifully. Highly recommend. My thanks to KarBen for the eARC.

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I really enjoyed this book. I want to say it was kind of like a layered Martin Scorsese film for the MG reader crowd. The realistic way family life is portrayed was on the nose: Close, sometimes frenetic and chaotic, and always compassionate.

Joey doesn’t _like_ to lie, but he's caught between two worlds, not quite sure what he wants or who he is, and he experiments with those boundaries. The book does an excellent job at immersing the reader in that delicate chrysalis stage of the tween years, the pre-teen angst caught between getting older and wanting independence from family but also still very much dependent on them both physically and emotionally.

This passage floored me with its wisdom, and the heart-breaking realization Joey comes to:
"We’re all a bunch of liars. All of us. We’re going under. We’re drowning. We’re weighed down by these secrets, these things we don’t tell one another, and now I know things I wish I didn’t know. And I’m no better than anyone else. I’m a fake too. I’m hiding things just like they are."

Besides the emotional realism of this story and its characters, which resonated with me, the plot itself also pulled me along and forced me to turn the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I've never read an MG book that touches on organized crime, and this book handles that well.

The Prince of Steel Pier has all the hallmarks of a terrific period story, brilliantly showcasing the two-sided nuances that come from the glorious youthful memory of a sometimes-seedy place. Which sums up the metamorphosis toward adulthood, doesn't it?

Definitely recommend this for any reader of any age.

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In a large, Jewish family, it can often feel like the amount of talking and arguing everyone is doing makes it nearly impossible to keep secrets from one another. But thirteen-year-old Joey Goodman is finding that secrecy is easier to come across than he first imagined. The Goodman family is on their annual trip to visit Atlantic City and help their grandparents run their hotel the St. Bonaventure. However, as the legalization of gambling is on the horizon, it is questionable whether or not the hotel will survive the impending influx of casinos. Joey finds himself unintentionally wrapped up in the affairs of some questionable gentlemen, and over the course of a transformational month, he must become clear on who he is and what he truly believes in.

This family-oriented middle grade novel immerses readers immediately in the Goodman home, filled with noise and banter as its many family members interact with one another. Though the chapters are long, they flow easily, especially as readers wait with bated breath to learn what happens next in Joey’s unpredictable life. August 1975 is a period of change for both Joey and the country as a whole, and historic references are inserted throughout the novel to anchor the story in its intended time period. From mentions of war, to questions of legality, to anti-Semitic sentiments, readers will find themselves learning about this period in American history while simultaneously enjoying Joey’s story. And though it takes place nearly fifty years ago, much of the narrative’s context is disturbingly familiar.

The dialogue in this book gives the narrative a specific and memorable structure, especially as each character seems to jump from the pages with their speech. Much of the story reads as though a Martin Scorsese film has been translated into a middle grade novel, focusing on human relationships across a variety of challenging circumstances. Joey is the primary character, and as the plot unfolds through his eyes, the reader discovers some of both the brighter and the more sinister elements of human nature and human existence. Whether he is worried about his immediate relationships with those around him or his connection to the great beyond, Joey is finding that becoming a teenager is not as easy as it may have initially appeared. This is a thought-provoking and engaging middle grade novel that is an enjoyable addition to library collections for young readers.

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This was a wonderful Middle Grade debut novel! Its fast-paced narrative held my attention from start to finish, and I was especially taken with the amazing job Nockowitz did with painting the atmosphere of her setting, a deteriorating 1970s Atlantic City in the midst of a sweltering summer. Simply put, 'The Prince of Steel Pier' follows Joey, a young Jewish teen, as a small white lie of Joey's quickly begins to snowball into something much more dangerous when he inadvertently falls in with a local mobster and puts his close-knit family in danger.

Religion is a theme throughout the novel, and for non-Jewish readers like myself, it gives a lovely, informative glimpse into Jewish traditions and culture, yet at the same time portrays the anti-Semitism and discrimination Jewish people have had to face. At the same time, the main character also has questions about his faith, which I feel is a pretty standard experience most young people have as they enter their teenage years, regardless of their religious affiliation; this subplot is woven into the story seamlessly and doesn't slow down the exciting narrative, either.

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The Prince of Steel Pier takes on issues of faith, identity, and family in a unique setting: the transforming neighborhoods of Atlantic City in the 1970s, with a family for whom being Jewish matters. It permeates their speech (e.g., Yiddish sayings), their Friday night activities (Shabbat), and their everyday life. It also leads others to make stereotypes and unfair assumptions about them. Joey Goodman is figuring out who is is and who he wants to be, Should he believe in God? Whom should he trust?

Many books shy away from exploring young adults' beliefs in their quest for self-awareness. This book is not afraid to show how Joey's quest and growth involves not only decisions about family and friends, but also the role of questioning and curiosity regarding God. The author develops each character's personality and role clearly, with care and humor, including (nick)names like "Comb-over" and "Grunts," and "Beans" and first-person reflections that help readers appreciate each struggle Joey experiences, including his feelings of isolation: "This aloneness is a yawning, gaping pit, and I'm in the pit, and it keeps widening until I'm not more than a speck on the bottom of a huge crater."

The setting of the Boardwalk and scenes involving gangsters, tempting Joey, contrast with activities at the family's St. Bonaventure Hotel, which may or may not go under due to the casinos coming to town. This tension gives the story plenty of action and intrigue while reiterating the conflicting feelings within Joey.

I loved this book and look forward to teaching it in my seventh-grade classroom in the upcoming year. We plan to use it to encourage students to explore their own family traditions, their own histories, and what matters to them about their own identities that has come down through their heritage. Joey Goodman is an inspiring character to use as a stepping-off point. Historical research gives context to this story and can provide a framework for the students' research and story sharing as well.

When they first meet, mobster Ralphie asks Joey Goodman, "And are you a good man [add italics]?" Life is not simple in this story; Joey is not a basic trope of a young adult. This is not your average growing-up tale. You should read to follow his journey.

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For eleven months out of the year, Joey, his mom and brothers spend their time in Philly. For that other month, they stay in Atlantic City at their grandparents' hotel. Joey and his brothers wait tables for Uncle Sol and lend their grandparents, Bubbe and Zeyde a hand where needed. Whenever he can escape the hotel, Joey can be found playing Skee-Ball at the arcade, he's actually quite skilled, so much that he even draws the attention of a local mobster, Artie, who offers him a job chaperoning his daughter around Atlantic City. Joey develops an instant liking to Artie, they both enjoyed reading "The Once and Future King," and Artie makes him feel important because he takes Joey seriously, unlike his family. Joey relishes in being "one of the guys." Then Joey overhears two of Artie's men making a deal and a special request from Artie himself, has Joey questioning whether he can truly trust these new friends he's made.

The Prince of Steel Pier has a very nostalgic feel. There's pre-casino Atlantic City and the boardwalk during the 1970's, our Skee-Ball champion, saltwater taffy and all the feels of summer time at the arcade. I just adored Joey and his extended Jewish family, including his older brothers, Reuben and Simon, younger brother Ben, his mom, Bubbe, Zeyde and even Uncle Sol. I could so relate to Joey and being a middle kid, teased by your older siblings and not yet old enough to be taken seriously. That feeling of being distant from your family, and not feeling respected. It's no wonder that Joey connects so easily to Artie and his gang. They made him feel strong and confident, laid praise on him for his Skee-Ball skills and he's even given the responsibility of being a companion for Artie's daughter. It's also not surprising when he lays trust in someone he shouldn't and things start to go horribly wrong. Being "one of the guys" isn't all it's cracked up to be. Growing up I remember being told that the only thing you could really depend on were your family and Joey also seems to learn this lesson. In the end he begins to recognize that his family will always be there to support him and I just loved how the story resolved. Overall, I really enjoyed the setting and plot. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the authors own grandparents owned the St. Charles Hotel and that she'd spent many a summer on the shores and visiting Steel Pier. You can certainly feel the authors love for Atlantic City and her connection to the city and it did remind me of my time in Atlantic City, and will certainly appeal to fans of arcades, classic amusement park rides and visits to the shore. *Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the E-ARC**

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What worked:
The Jewish faith is an important part of the story, as Joey questions his place in the community. He wonders how God can allow bad things to happen and questions how well he understands his religion. However, he’s very loyal to his close-knit family, as his parents, brothers, grandparents, and uncle operate a hotel right on the beach. They practice their culture by eating kosher foods, visiting the synagogue regularly, celebrating Jewish traditions, and periodically speaking Yiddish. Joey’s anger kicks in when he witnesses and experiences prejudice against Jews in the form of disparaging slurs and unintentionally offensive comments.
The inclusion of mobsters in a book for young readers is uncommon, as the story takes place during a time when casinos are forcing people out of their New Jersey neighborhoods by buying up their properties. Joey admires Artie, the mob boss in the area, and he’s pleased when the man takes a special interest in him. Artie’s thugs are clearly dangerous men, and Joey’s frightened by phone conversations he overhears and threats he witnesses. Joey’s relationship with the mobsters contributes danger and mystery to the plot, and the situation is further complicated when Joey becomes the “baby-sitter” for Artie’s visiting daughter.
Honesty is an important topic in the book, as Joey struggles with the lies he’s telling his brothers, parents, and relatives. They begin simply with misleading statements or half-truths but quickly evolve into flat-out deceit. Readers will notice how his deceptions get out of control until Joey finds himself in an unexpectedly dangerous situation. He wants to confess to his brother or grandfather, but the notion that things will get better at the end of the week is naive. Problems won’t go away by themselves, and the only thing he can count on is family.
What didn’t work as well:
As with many books for young readers, the main character gets himself into trouble beyond his control and tries to keep it secret from those who might help. Being truthful in the beginning will prevent future problems. However, in this case, being honest would undermine the conflict and plot, and the author wouldn’t have a captivating, emotional story.
The Final Verdict:
Readers will immediately connect with Joey’s character due to his kindness and good heart. They’ll feel empathy for him as his problems mount and root for him when things look worst. Overall, I enjoyed this book very much, and I recommend you give it a shot.

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