"Marsha and Faith are bad girls; drinking, clubbing and promiscuity are as much a part of their lives as school and homework. Not since Melvin Burgess' Doing It has teenage sex been examined up-close and personal like this, but there's not much joy in these encounters. Kenrick's no holds barred narrative can shock as Marsha searches to find meaning in her life." The Guardian

"Teenage girls with strong stomachs will fall upon Joanna Kenrick's Screwed, an explicit but captivating romance about a 15-year-old girl who has soulless sex with every boy she can pull - then discovers that the one boy she can't is the one worth loving." Amanda Craig, The Times

"Kenrick has written a real page-turner of a book that should appeal to both girls and boys, hooking the reader from the first paragraph and keeping them riveted until the very end." Damian, Rachel and Laura Harvey, Armadillo

 

"a novel whose strength lies in its narrative voice rather than in any shock value" The Observer, March 2007
"Kenrick has succeeded in writing a searing novel" Books for Keeps, May 2007
"Kenrick’s skill is to present the many aspects of self-harming behaviour without losing the momentum and structure of a story that is driven by simple dialogue that is sometimes very funny and utterly believable. Kenrick manages to pack an amazingly wide range of aspects related to self-harming in a readable, punchy story." Stella Muttock, WriteAway!
"Another of Barrington Stoke's admirable short novels aimed especially at reluctant boy readers. Kenrick's story examines the dilemmas which face a fifteen year-old when he discovers that he may be the father of an unborn child. Through his reactions and emotions, readers can experience how he comes to terms with his future. He moves from denial through blaming his girlfriend, advocating abortion and distancing himself from the situation, before finally coming to terms with his part in the situation and his responsibilty. Mickey tells his own story - a powerful tool to engage readers." Bridget Carrington, WriteAway!
"The themes in Perfect are around issues of friendship, trust and loyalty. This first person narrative is an accessible and pacy read. In keeping with Barrington Stoke books, the language is clear and direct. The appearance of the book is reader friendly, having well spaced text on off-white paper. Hannah Webb’s black and white illustrations compliment the text – and leave the reader in no doubt about the characters’ feelings." Sylvia Karavis, WriteAway!
"Anyone who has read aloud to children knows that there are some books that have the special magic that means children will ask for them again and again. Moondance has just that kind of magic. It has something to say and a wonderful way to say it." MJ Smith, Amazon.co.uk