Alex Jackson, a year nine student, is a talented skateboard rider who executes daring and skilful stunts with his mates at the skatepark. Essentially, the plot centres round Alex's initiation into the year ten SWA (Skateboarders With Attitude) gang, his long distance relationship with his girlfriend and his parents on the brink of separation, and Billy Johnsone's bullying at school. Alex grows and matures as he discerns the meaning of courage and commitment and the value of family. This is an excellent read for boys, particularly reluctant readers in the lower secondary years, as they will be entertained by the well-paced action that captures the essence of skateboard culture. The attitude of skateboarders compared with the way they are portrayed in the media is a central issue in the story that would be ideal bait for involving students of the target audience in critical literacy activities.
AccessEd. QLD Education Department. 2003

The cover announces the passion of this novel, as does the quotation from Julie Tatz preceding the story: Without a board I walk, With it I fly.
Skateboarders will be taken in from page one as we see fourteen-year-old Alex Jackson and his friend Casey at the skate park, making a video of their favourite sport. From the start there is liberal use of skateboarding terms, no doubt readily understood by followers of the sport.

When Alex's girlfriend, Becky, goes to live in Italy, he is led to entanglement with a rough Year 10 skating group who believe in skating anywhere in public, regardless of danger or damage. Alex is dared to display his skill and courage so that he may join the group. Even though it means breaking the rules and the law, Alex cannot resist the chance to prove himself.

This fast-paced novel includes many growing-up issues relevant to teenagers: peer pressure, bullying, prejudice, first romance problems, family tensions and brushes with the law. An important focus is the image of skateboarders presented by means of a class assignment: are they rebels, as often portrayed, or are they really serious about skateboarding? Alex and his group give very persuasive answers.
Despite the skateboard terminology, most of which was foreign to me, I found Alex Jackson: SWA a very absorbing and realistic story. Although I imagined constant dangerous and tortuous manoeuvres, followers of the sport would probably take most of them as a matter of course.

The action cover is superb! Hopefully it will attract the boys (and girls) who may well be reading about familiar experiences. Readers of Alex Jackson: Grommet will also welcome this sequel.
Mary Koenig, Western Australian Education Department, 2003

Alex Jackson is 14, in 9th Grade and hangs out with his friends at the Skatepark. Despite a welter of personal problems (an overseas girlfriend, bickering parents, unfinished school projects and a lingering feud with Billy Johnstone) Alex still remains cool.

Because he is such a superb skateboarder, Alex is invited by the Grade 10 members of SWA (Skateboarders With Attitude) to join their gang. Part of the initiation involves doing something of which he is really scared. He must, in fact, prove he is worthy enough to join their gang. In time, Alex realises that while he does have the courage to meet their dare, is it all really worth it? Isn’t it more important to prove your courage and your skill to yourself rather than to others?

Author Pat Flynn captures the mood, language and social mores of street kids and skateboarders flawlessly, adding a sharp credibility to this topical, achingly contemporary and gritty urban drama which readers, particularly boys, will love!

The author has cleverly opened and closed this novel with almost identical wording. By the end of this novel, Alex’s turbo-charged life has rolled full circle. So what has changed? There are still problems and there will always be some uncertainty, but within himself Alex knows that he has grown and matured. He has let go of his fears and is generally well-pleased with life.

The bright, colourful cover-still of Alex in action is a brilliant tease to the reader. It suggests an exciting, engaging yarn, and fortunately the novel lives up to its promise.
Russ Merrin, Magpies—Vol 17 No. 3 2002

 

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