Random House. Young Adult. Paperback RRP $24.95
Reviewed by Barbara Brown
Mikey’s fifteen year-old sister, Karyn, says a boy has raped her. Ellie is the same age as Karyn and goes to the same school. Ellie’s older brother, Tom, is the boy Karyn has accused.
Socio-economically, Ellie and Mikey are worlds apart. Ellie
comes from a well-to-do family, with a big house and holidays overseas. Mikey
lives in the housing estates in the middle of town. Ellie and Mikey would never
normally meet, however Mikey is out for revenge for his sister. He didn’t know Tom had a younger sister, a
girl who from the first time they meet, steals Mikey’s heart.
The two try to hide their feelings from each other and their
respective families, but when Ellie changes her story about the night Karyn is
allegedly raped, all families are thrown into turmoil and Ellie has only one
person she can turn to… Mikey.
you against me is
a modern day story with hints of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Jenny Downham
has captured issues that face many teenagers. The ending is unexpected and the
outcome is left unresolved. I think there is a second book to come and if not,
my imagination is left to finish the story my way.
