Face

Product Information

The holidays have started, he's got a gorgeous girlfriend and everyone agrees he's the coolest dancer around. The book however did tell more than show the reader the events which made the book a bit less enjoyable. The pacing is excellent as well, with events naturally following on from one another - whilst never lingering on certain situations for too long.

It also shows us a strong young protagonist who is able to deal with the situation maturely and learn as it goes on. Martin's life looks good with a model for a girlfriend, the best gymnast in school, and as a class clown. I thought that they were interesting and unique characters and I would have loved to learn more about them.

Face by Benjamin Zephaniah is an interesting, compelling and emotional story that tackles social problems about physical disfigurement. Face was okay, but it wasn’t Zephaniah’s best – it was a little too preachy, too much like a moral tale, and it took me a while to get into it. I like that the author didn't shy away from anything, and it was an honest portrayal of what burn victims have to go through. Written in very simple language, Zephaniah brings the streets to life - I especially like the scene where Natalie misinterprets the three girls' smiles and gets ready for a fight, only to be asked if she likes clubbing.

It perfectly executes a change in character for Martin, who you go from having a distaste to, to supporting every step of his lifechanging journey.This book will not only be enjoyed by teen readers for its entertaining story, but also for its statement about prejudice. Even once I’d been absorbed into the story line, I didn’t enjoy it much, although I did appreciate that the large print made it easy for me to power through it. I've always enjoyed and looked out for Benjamin Zephaniah's poetry so I knew I had to read his books too! Plot-wise, it follows the story of a kid who gets into a car accident and who badly injures his face. He has to come to terms with his new appearance, his parents' reaction to his injuries, and then his friends and the rest of the school.