They Told Me I Had To Write This

"Clems a bit of a no-hoper. His mum died when he was born, his dad has no time for him, hes been in trouble at school, and even with the police. He has other, darker secrets as well. This term hes not at his old school any morenow hes at Rocky Valley. Its a bit different to his old schoolthey have their own livestock, and they go camping, and abseiling, and have their own mountain biking track, which bike-mad Clem loves. They also have Sessionevery student spends time one-on-one with a teacher. Clems teacher is the Rev, who owns a classic car, an even cooler motorcycle, and has a habit of asking hard questions. Now he wants Clem to write letters. As if that could help. As if that could change anything. Clem is a powerful character with a strong voice, whose growth and changes through the story never fail to feel authentic. His experiences and story have a real resonance, no doubt from author Kim Millers years of working with just such kids. Dealing with violence, drugs and sexual abuse, They Told Me I Had to Write This is recommended for more mature readers.- Heath GrahamBookseller+Publisher, July/August 2009"