Joseph's Grace

Moses, S. P. (2011). Joseph's grace. New York: Simon & Schuster. This book continues the story of Joseph Flood first begun in the earlier Joseph. Joseph, a high school junior, is living with his aunt and uncle because his drug-addicted mother is unable to take care of him while his father serves with the military in Iraq. Although she's been in treatment to kick her habit, she keeps returning to the drug scene and an unsavory boyfriend named Bow. Looking for money he claims she owes him, Bow comes to the house where Joseph is staying, and demands payment. He shoots through the door, killing Joseph's beloved cousin Jasmine, who is the light of the family's life. Joseph must balance school, work, sports, and a new relationship while mourning her loss. He and his family also try to help his mother turn her life around. This book has a quite grace and is blessed with an honest appreciation of just how hard it is to put a life together after addiction has caused someone's life to go astray. The author totally nailed the embarrassing scenes in which Joseph is embarrassed by his mother's visits at school, at work, and even during a tennis match, when she comes looking for money to support her habit. It's also clear that Joseph loves her despite her failings. While loss and disappointment permeates the book, the author clearly illustrates that there is a way out of despair and there is hope even during the most difficult times. Although the story will break many hearts, readers will surely root for all the members of Joseph's family to find a happy ending.

Favorite Lines:
"The blood was like a river draining the life out of our family. Jasmine not only died, she took a part of us with her" (p. 18).

"This is the story of my life, I'm thinking as Momma walks out of my life again. She's dragging her suitcaes like a college girl going to her dorm" (p. 52).