Another life by Keren David

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Frances Lincoln, 2012. 340 pgs., p/b. ISBN: 9781847802866.
(Age: 14+) Another life is the third and final book in a series after When I was Joe and Almost true. This follow-up takes you on an adventure through London's gangland and is told in the first person mainly by 14 year old Archie, with additional first person input by his 16 year old cousin Ty. Archie is sick of being sent away to expensive boarding schools because his parents are away a lot with work. So when he manages to get himself expelled from yet another boarding school, he couldn't be happier to find himself back in London with his old friends. Being in London also puts Archie closer to his cousin Ty who he is worried about. Ty has been in hiding since witnessing a murder by a big criminal family. Now Ty is facing a 12 week sentence in a Young Offenders Institution for carrying an offensive weapon and he is worried about who might be waiting for him at the prison. After visiting Ty a few times in prison, Archie decides to go on a mission to try and learn more about his cousin. Did Ty have another life? Is Ty a traitor, a liar, a murderer? Archie begins to learn surprising things about Ty's past.
This is a well written book about gang culture which gets more exciting as it nears its conclusion. Due to some instances of violence, under age drinking and drug taking, I would recommend this book in the Resource Centre for readers 14+.
Michelle Thomson

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