JOHN-BROWNE'S BODY & SOLE by Jonathan Pearce

JOHN-BROWNE'S BODY & SOLE by Jonathan Pearce
1stBooks - Print on Demand
ISBN: 1588206777 - Softcover (also in eBook & Hardcover)
Teen / Young Adult

Reviewed by Annie Bonneau, MyShelf.com
Buy a Copy

Once in a while a reviewer has to go on a limb and read a book written for young adults. No one more than I was more surprised at the enjoyment I got from delving into John-Browne’s Body & Sole. This book is unique in that it features lessons that the main character, John, learns throughout his life. The educative value of the book is that these lessons are grasped through the journal that John keeps. It is this journal that readers get to peek at.

John-Browne is a nearly perfect 13 years old boy who attends Balona Junior High School. He has GREAT parents and amazing grandparents who live next door. John is musical; he plays the piano. John is athletic; he takes aikido classes twice a week. John likes school; he’s a grade A student. John’s journal is born as a result of an assignment, given to him by his teacher.

Throughout the book, the reader learns lessons about life. The reader learns the meaning of important words like endurance, persistence, humility, responsibility and compassion; all virtues that John picks up from attending aikido classes.

Although, some parents may think of the character John-Browne as too perfect and overly mature for a 13 year old, they should not discount picking up the book to inspire their own kids. Not all of us ignored the virtues of reading when growing up, hint, hint. The book is refreshing, educational and a motivational read. It made me laugh, feel sorrow and recognize how real life is for teenagers. It was a genuine pleasure to read Jonathan Pearce’s Balona book, the first of many in the saga. I now want to adopt, reproduce or clone John-Browne.