Last Chance Joey (Meredith Resce, Rhiza Edge)

In Meredith Resce’s debut YA novel, Last Chance Joey, 17-year-old Joey Walton – who is struggling with dyslexia, toxic social circles and a troubled home life – is sent to live in the country with an unfamiliar great-aunt. Auntie Belle expects him to assist Young Harry, her reclusive, off-grid elderly neighbour with a broken leg. It’s little surprise (except perhaps to Joey) when country life proves a balm. Having never experienced positive relationships before, Joey begins to thrive while helping Young Harry on his farm; finding opportunity with the local footy club; and gaining a blossoming friendship with Emily and fellow footy hopeful and social outsider Arjun. For the first time, Joey feels trusted and valued and has a sense of purpose – until his city connections track him down. Resce furnishes her protagonist with a compassionate multigenerational support network in Belle, Young Harry, Emily and Arjun, who bolster Joey to work hard at overcoming his past. While the immediacy and extent of Joey’s transition stretches plausibility given his background (expelled from three schools, known to police, pigeonholed as ‘belligerent’ in school reports), it’s hard not to get caught up in this feel-good journey. Joey’s joyful connection with farm life is uplifting, the novel’s characters are warm and genuine, and the resolution is moving. Suitable for younger teens aged 13+ or those who prefer their narratives relatively clean and restorative. 

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anica Boulanger-Mashberg is a freelance editor and writer, and a bookseller at the Hobart Bookshop. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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