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Nitty Gritty #1
Off Leash
When life knocks you flat on your back, and you know you've had enough, try telling that to a dog demanding his walk.
Jay Walker is a fake. He acts full when starved and happy when sad. How else is a guy who has a deadbeat for a mother and a sister battling cancer supposed to feel? And isn’t walking a pet just a chore? Too bad the dog doesn’t know that. The dog lives in the now, embraces life to the fullest and gives his whole heart when offering love.
Off Leash is unique because it showcases issues of poverty that transcend countries, age and color. Alternatively told between the POV of both Jay and the dog, Ollie, it shows the reader how a boy who wants a job to make some quick cash so he can buy food for his cancer-stricken sister struggles with trying to do the right thing in a world that has treated him wrong since birth.
Off Leash has alternative endings.
Check out Off Leash book trailer at http://youtu.be/8TlPncNAzNQ
Jay Walker is a fake. He acts full when starved and happy when sad. How else is a guy who has a deadbeat for a mother and a sister battling cancer supposed to feel? And isn’t walking a pet just a chore? Too bad the dog doesn’t know that. The dog lives in the now, embraces life to the fullest and gives his whole heart when offering love.
Off Leash is unique because it showcases issues of poverty that transcend countries, age and color. Alternatively told between the POV of both Jay and the dog, Ollie, it shows the reader how a boy who wants a job to make some quick cash so he can buy food for his cancer-stricken sister struggles with trying to do the right thing in a world that has treated him wrong since birth.
Off Leash has alternative endings.
Check out Off Leash book trailer at http://youtu.be/8TlPncNAzNQ
- GenresYoung Adult
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2011
About the author
Renee Pace
30 books34 followersI have the great pleasure of looking out my window at the Atlantic Ocean as I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and feel blessed to have the sea in my life. My father was a fisher and the ocean has been tangled with much of my early childhood years.
I’m not a teen anymore by statistics only but I keep telling those people that I literally stopped counting when I hit twenty.
I live my version of paranormal and it’s my reality. I hope you enjoy my worlds that my young adults enter and enjoy the journey of self-discovery many of them make.
I’m not a teen anymore by statistics only but I keep telling those people that I literally stopped counting when I hit twenty.
I live my version of paranormal and it’s my reality. I hope you enjoy my worlds that my young adults enter and enjoy the journey of self-discovery many of them make.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 23, 2011
Off Leash tells the story of a boy, Jay, and a dog, Ollie. Jay, a 15 year old from the slums, is weighed down by the grind of poverty but is not beaten. Since his mother is more concerned with getting her next fix, it is up to Jay to take care of his leukemia stricken sister as best he can. To provide her with food, he takes a job walking Ollie, a boxer. The two are both distrusting but soon they find a common bond, one that is tested time and again.
Ms. Page tells a heart wrenching story that is all too realistic. Because of the dark themes of death, neglect and dog-fighting, she gives the reader an option of a Hollywood style ending or a gritty one. Both will satisfy, but if you have a heart, you'll need a tissue or three. Off Leash, is not for the meek but it is definitely worth the read.
Ms. Page tells a heart wrenching story that is all too realistic. Because of the dark themes of death, neglect and dog-fighting, she gives the reader an option of a Hollywood style ending or a gritty one. Both will satisfy, but if you have a heart, you'll need a tissue or three. Off Leash, is not for the meek but it is definitely worth the read.
December 26, 2011
Gripping and heartrending story of friendship and love.
OFF LEASH is a story of life and death, dogfighting, and discovering that a best friend, in any form, can save a life. Renee Pace¿s debut novel takes you inside the life of poverty in a truly heartrending account of Jay Walker, a fifteen year-old boy saddled with a drug addicted mother and a little sister who¿s dying from cancer. Jay¿s life is one of desperation and hopelessness until he meets Ollie, a selfless and endearing Boxer that Jay is paid to walk. I don¿t want to give the whole story away, because you should definitely read this book for yourself. I fell in love with the characters and found myself rooting for them on every page.
I loved the voice of Ollie in a first person perspective of what life is like for a dog. This sweet, rambunctious canine steals the story. And Jay¿s nitty-gritty account of his life and the hard choices he is forced to face, are spot on in their depth and meaning. The way that Pace reveals Jay¿s character in many layers throughout his personal journey from boy to man is commendable. I felt like I was at his side from beginning to end. Speaking of endings, Ms. Pace offers alternate endings for her books which I think is brilliant and I wish I¿d thought of it myself. For me, I always choose the Hollywood ending. Although I couldn¿t stop myself reading both endings and finding them diverse and poignant. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can¿t wait to read more from this author. I¿m waiting patiently for her next book in the Nitty Gritty series, OFF LIMITS.
OFF LEASH is a story of life and death, dogfighting, and discovering that a best friend, in any form, can save a life. Renee Pace¿s debut novel takes you inside the life of poverty in a truly heartrending account of Jay Walker, a fifteen year-old boy saddled with a drug addicted mother and a little sister who¿s dying from cancer. Jay¿s life is one of desperation and hopelessness until he meets Ollie, a selfless and endearing Boxer that Jay is paid to walk. I don¿t want to give the whole story away, because you should definitely read this book for yourself. I fell in love with the characters and found myself rooting for them on every page.
I loved the voice of Ollie in a first person perspective of what life is like for a dog. This sweet, rambunctious canine steals the story. And Jay¿s nitty-gritty account of his life and the hard choices he is forced to face, are spot on in their depth and meaning. The way that Pace reveals Jay¿s character in many layers throughout his personal journey from boy to man is commendable. I felt like I was at his side from beginning to end. Speaking of endings, Ms. Pace offers alternate endings for her books which I think is brilliant and I wish I¿d thought of it myself. For me, I always choose the Hollywood ending. Although I couldn¿t stop myself reading both endings and finding them diverse and poignant. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can¿t wait to read more from this author. I¿m waiting patiently for her next book in the Nitty Gritty series, OFF LIMITS.
November 26, 2011
There were a lot of things about this book that I really liked. It's not an easy read, in that it's very emotionally turbulent at times. This kid has a tough life. Ollie the dog was well portrayed and I thought the author was consistent in keeping his thoughts as 'dog' thoughts, interpreting people's body language and tone as a dog would. Jay's viewpoint was a little slow to develop fully, but about a third of the way through his protectiveness and anger started showing and it was what I would have expected of a teenager in his situation. The fact that he didn't copy his mother's ways, that he looked after his little sister and was determined to remain with her no matter what was very admirable. I would have liked to sense more of a connection with Mrs. Fritz, but I think part of that is because Jay himself tried to remain distant from her. Towards the end I found this story to be very poignant and memorable. Definitely recommended to readers of YA and dog stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews