It explores grief, friendship and first love in a way that feels truly authentic and genuine.
When seventeen-year-old Cleo Markson arrives at the Australian Art School for a summer life drawing program, she is nervous and anxious. In the past, Cleo has had older sister Emmy and her detailed plans to help prepare for change and new experiences.
But now Emmy is gone, and there are no plans for how to arrive late on day one and find yourself seated next to an attractive boy, or for staying calm when drawing your first penis.
When the story begins, Emmy is already gone, but the reader is able to hear her voice through the plans written for Cleo that are scattered throughout the novel. The reader also gets to experience their strong sister bond and Emmy’s desire to help Cleo flourish. Cleo is finding it difficult to move on after the loss of Emmy, and her fear of forgetting her sister has an impact on her daily life.
Cleo describes herself as ‘overly self-conscious and utterly indecisive’, but over the summer of firsts, we witness her growing in self-assurance as both an artist and a person. Through the strong inner monologue, we experience great insight into Cleo’s growth, and particularly her feelings about new friendships with cool Remi, fun and self-confident Lachlan, and reserved, thoughtful Mattias.
Unfolding events give Cleo opportunities to discover her own bravery and conviction as the story touches on issues such as women’s bodies and consent.
The adult characters in the story are supportive, while letting Cleo work things out for herself. Betty the art teacher encourages Cleo to celebrate her mistakes, and while her parents would like to see her move on from the loss of Emmy, they let her process the grief in her own way.
At the art exhibition on the final day, we can see just how far Cleo has come as she writes and enacts her own plan for the future.
The intriguing title and stunning cover design by Hazel Lam will surely have teenagers reaching for this book, and the warm and funny story will not disappoint.
Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is a wonderful coming of age novel, suitable for readers 14 plus.
Title: Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans
Author: Zoe Gaetjens
Publisher: Penguin, $19.99
Publication Date: 5 May 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761358012
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction
