Review: The Boy Maeve

How often have you read the opening lines of a book and instantly been drawn in? And how often has that initial spark of intrigue been maintained throughout the entire story as it turns and twists in every possible direction?

The Boy Maeve by Kai Ash does exactly that.

Intriguing from the first sentence to the last, this debut novel is an unusual blend of coming-of-age, contemporary queer fiction, magical realism and mythology.

Maeve was adopted as a toddler and remembers little, if anything, of his birth parents or early years.  He’s a loner with his life made more difficult in the knowledge that he’s a boy in a girl’s body – and nobody will acknowledge it.

Review: Survival Show

Set in a future shaped by climate disaster, inequality and society’s obsession with entertainment, Survival Show by Juno Dawson transforms the familiar world of reality television into something far more sinister.

After devastating floods destroy their home, Taryn Beck and her family are forced to relocate as refugees. Struggling to survive in a society where food, housing and healthcare are increasingly limited, the pressure on Taryn’s family becomes unbearable — especially when her younger brother Jenson relies on medication to stay alive. Desperate for a way to support her family, Taryn auditions for Starmaker, the country’s biggest reality television show.

At first, Starmaker appears to offer everything audiences love about talent competitions: glittering costumes, dramatic performances, celebrity judges and the promise of fame. But beneath the glitz lies something much darker. In this dystopian future, contestants are literally competing for their lives, with eliminated participants executed as part of “Project Population”, a government initiative designed to reduce the strain on society’s resources.

Review: One Knight Stand

One Knight Stand by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner returns readers to the wonderfully chaotic world first introduced in Lady's Knight—and it is every bit as clever, witty and delightfully entertaining as fans will hope.

Packed with sword fights, schemes, banter and a healthy dose of absurdity, One Knight Stand embraces all the fun of fantasy while simultaneously poking fun at it. Kaufman and Spooner clearly know the genre inside out, and the novel is filled with glorious intertextuality and knowing little winks to the reader. From playful nods to classic fantasy tropes through to the hilariously clever chapter titles—which each appear somewhere within their respective chapters—there is a sense that the authors are inviting readers in on the joke.

Review: A Flash in the Dust

A Flash in the Dust by Meg Caddy is a gripping new young adult novel that had me hooked from the first page. Set in 1899 Western Australia, the story starts in Fremantle Asylum where Gilberta Brady has lived in peace for the past three years. 

When Norah Devaney arrives kicking and screaming in the middle of the night, calling for revenge on ‘the Whistling Man’ who killed her mum, Gilberta’s peace is ruined. They escape the asylum together and meet Kedalak and Malkar, two Indigenous brothers who help them on their harrowing journey home. The four of them form unlikely friendships while on the hunt to track down the man who killed Norah’s mum.

This book is a reminder that queer people have always existed, and while fictional, it reflects the hardships and attitudes faced by queer people of that time. I felt the queer representation was presented in a beautiful and authentic way, and it felt natural rather than forced or overdone.

I would have loved to spend more time in the setting of the asylum, as it created such an eerie atmosphere and was such an interesting and unique setting to explore. 

Junior Review: Maisy Hayes Is Not For Sale

Maisy Hayes Is Not For Sale is a fiercely insightful coming-of-age novel by Allayne L Webster. It delves into the judgement teens face and the price tag labelled upon their worth.

Maisy Hayes feels like the background character of her life. Never the prettiest, the smartest, or the coolest in the room. Never with the newest phone, most expensive shoes, or designer bag. Her special treat only ever came in the form of a dollar slushie from the mall.

Maisy faces a situation no teen, let alone adult, wants to encounter. The Hayes family is deep in financial trouble, struggling to make ends meet. 

With Maisy’s absent father lurking in the back of her mind, she is determined to make a future for herself. She’s not sure what yet — though she is positive she wants anything but a life like her mum's.

She dreams of having enough money not to live paycheck to paycheck. To buy things without thinking of the cost. 

Junior Review: Loverboy

The compelling young adult novel Loverboy by esteemed author Ben Tomlinson captures the essence of teenage years, transporting the reader into the life (or should I say love life) of Alfie.

This novel centres Alfie who believes he has found ‘the one’. Meet Maya, his best friend and girl of his dreams. Alfie and Maya share a long, intimate history together. 

They spend both the highs and lows of their life together, their loves and losses, their pains and gains. They share everything, right? Or that’s what they both thought until they discover an underlying romance to their relationship that blurs the line between friends and lovers.

Alfie’s desperate search for love finds him falling for Gwen, one of the close members in their friendship circle and becomes confused when she doesn’t share the same feelings for him. It turns out Gwen was hiding a bigger secret of her own…

Review: Sunny At The End Of The World

Predicting the future is a tricky thing. It is, invariably, one of the most inconstant of certainties. One never knows how one’s narrative will play out, either in life or between the pages.

Perhaps that is what I like best in Steph Bowe’s posthumously published, Sunny At The End Of The World. Even this ingenious title suggests something beyond utter hopelessness. Can an ending really be the start of something new? This premise forms just one part of Bowe’s YA fiction which prima facie, seems a straightforward dystopic foray into Zombieland.

We’ve seen that all before, right? An almost comic romp into the horror of the after dead. And yet, within Bowe’s capable and quirky hands, Sunny’s worlds, past and future, assume a reality that teens immediately warm to.

It’s 2018 just days after a global outbreak leaves the world afflicted and stricken. Zombies plague the major living centres, destroying civilisation as we know it, undermining any survivors’ sense of security and sanity. 

Guest Post: Claire Thompson On Inspiring Young Readers With Real-Life Kid Stars

As soon as I dived into the world of picture books, I knew I wanted to write true stories. And not just any true stories—stories starring amazing real-life kid heroes changing the world.

Kids who stood up, shook things up, and never gave up. Young activists, artists, eco-warriors, entrepreneurs, inventors, rock stars, and scientists.

12 Curly Questions with children's author Rae White

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.

My parents love to remind me that when I was a kid, I’d fold paper into tiny books and fill them with stories. These were essentially bespoke (and often dirt-stained) zines! I was always mesmerised by books – not just their stories, but their shape, texture, and the magical feeling of holding a world in my hands.

2. What is your nickname?
My dad lovingly calls me Poss, short for Possum, while many of my loved ones call me Bun, short for Bunny. Maybe there’s a children’s book in that – The Adventures of Two Unlikely Friends: Poss and Bun!

3. What is your greatest fear?
Probably toads! One humid New Year’s Eve, our driveway and the road outside our house were completely covered in recently hatched toads. The floor wasn’t lava – the road was toads!

Review: All The Colours Of The Rainbow

The travesty over on the other side of the world has filled so many of us with utter disbelief, shock, horror and very real trepidation, because we know that we have certain elements who think in exactly the same way, have the same agenda and are determined to lie their way into positions of power.

I have many gender diverse friends, and, in fact, have always had them for my entire adult life. 

It has just been an acceptance, in just the same way that a friend might have brown hair or blue eyes – just who they are. I also have quite a few friends with children, young adults, who are part of the LGBTQ community.

Review: Such Charming Liars

This book by bestselling ‘Queen of Teen Crime’ author Karen McManus, is touted as an explosive new YA thriller. And yes, McManus well and truly earns the label – Such Charming Liars gives generously!

It’s told from the perspective of two teenagers, Kat and Liam, who were step-siblings for just 48 hours when they were five and their respective parents briefly married in Vegas.

This story contains all the important elements of a teen thriller: action, thrills, lust, spills, twists, power, fortune, fame. And of course, a little bit of gender-fluid snogging on the side.

With a complex storyline that will reward readers’ attention to detail (I suggest an intensive rather than extended reading period for this work), the book is pacy and well-written. 

Junior Review: The End Crowns All

Love caused this war. At least, that’s what the stories will say…

Bea Fitzgerald’s new novel The End Crowns All is filled to the brim with characters that truly leap off the page in a unique and captivating world, delivered in an innovative perspective of Greek Mythology. 

This touching story features Cassandra, a princess of Troy gifted with the power of prophecy, and Helen, a Spartan princess-warrior who fled her country in the pursuit of love.

When the god Apollo offers Cassandra the gift of prophecy, she seizes the opportunity, along with the power it holds. However, unable to uphold her end of the deal, she is cursed by the god and realises just how far she can fall when no one believes her prophecies. 

Meanwhile, Helen fled Sparta searching for love and a life where she could be valued for more than being a prized possession, although she soon realizes she is exactly that, a prize from Aphrodite to Paris; a prince of Troy. 

Junior Review: The Sun and The Star

Nico Di Angelo is more than used to the Demigod lifestyle. He was the son of Hades - nothing came easily. 

Gruesome monsters appearing at every turn? Easy. Another quest? Predictable. So, Nico is hardly surprised when he is berated with vivid nightmares and a tortured voice, especially when he suspects it is being sent from the underworld by his old friend, Bob the Titan. 

Now that a prophecy has been sent his way and the nightmares are getting worse, Nico has no doubt about it - he must go deep into Tartarus and rescue Bob.

Nico’s boyfriend Will Solace, son of Apollo, does not want to see him go alone. But Nico doesn’t even know if Will can survive a place as dark and horrendous as Tartarus, the farthest place from the sun. 

Review: The Comedienne's Guide To Pride

Sydney based author Hayli Thomson delivers a topical but relatable debut novel about being true to yourself.

Dilemma – on one hand the opportunity of a lifetime, but to accept it will mean telling everyone who you really are?

Taylor Parker has always wanted to be a comedian. So when Taylor is accepted as a finalist for a diverse writers’ internship at Saturday Night Live – she is equal parts excited and anxious. The opportunity will turn her world upside down.

To win, Taylor will need to come out about both her secrets – she wants to be a comedian and also a lesbian.

On top of that Taylor has a crush on Salem’s most bewitching actress – out and proud classmate Charlotte Grey.

Review: The Lesbiana's Guide To Catholic School

Transferring to a new school is never easy, but 17 year old Yamilet Flores is ready for a fresh start where she controls the truth.

After being outed by her crush and ex best friend at her last school, Yami has new priorities and lots of trust issues.

Her priorities are simple - keep her brother out of trouble, make her mother proud and above all else - don’t fall in love no matter who she meets! 

Admittedly being one of only a few Mexican students in a mostly Caucasian and very rich Catholic school means blending in will certainly be a challenge.

Yami does her best to fake being straight, often applying her own logic – WWSGD, what would a straight girl do? However, she can’t help noticing one of the other students, Bo, who is openly gay.

Review: Answers In The Pages

Answers in the Pages is many things, but the core of it is pure reading joy. From start to finish,

it’s fresh, fun and intelligent. 

Yes it’s a hard-hitting, issues-based novel which interrogates book-banning and homophobia; and yes it’s a sophisticated, nuanced and layered action-story that would give many of today’s online worlds a run for their money. 

And it’s certainly an insight into

being brave and fighting for your own story. But alongside and despite all of these things, it’s really just pure joy on the page.

Donovan’s grade 5 class are stoked to be reading ‘The Adventurers’ for school. This book’s main characters Oliver and Rick, along with their friend Melody, are on a mission to save planet earth from an evil genius. But Donovan’s mum has decided that the book’s main characters are gay - which doesn’t please her. So she complains, ‘The Adventurers’ is embargoed and soon the whole school is embroiled in a debate.

Review: Take Me With You When You Go

To be honest, when I first picked this up my inner voice sighed and said ‘oh more angst…’. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t appreciate that authors are writing representatively of their readers but there really are times one thinks that something jolly would be quite nice.

And then I started reading and could hardly tear myself away because from the first page I was hooked.

When Ezra wakes up one day to find his older sister just upped and hooked it out of their toxic home, he is distraught that she would abandon him. Left with his ineffectual mother and abusive narcissist stepfather, Ezra struggles to survive let alone thrive. The first small ray of hope is discovering an email address Bea has left him, in a place only he would find it.

Review: Burn

Patrick Ness’s latest young adult novel takes place in the 1950’s during the heart of the Cold War. 

The first of many twists is that this story is set in an alternate reality in which dragons exist and are accepted part of society. They have their own distinct breeds and language.

In this reality, tensions are frostier than depicted in history. There is an imminent threat as Russia (USSR) is sending a satellite into space which is regarded to be the ultimate in spying technology.

Sarah Dewhurst and her father Gareth hire Kazmir the dragon to help perform chores that help keep the family farm operational. But this dragon is not what he seems and has his own agenda. One that involves a world ending prophecy.

Malcolm is an agent, sent by the religious sect he grew up in, known as The Believers. He also has his own agenda that conflicts with the mission he has been sent on. 

Review: All Our Hidden Gifts

It feels like a deck of tarot cards has selected Maeve -following her in fact. 

But that’s impossible, isn’t it?

Yet they just seem to end up in her school bag even when she swears she’s locked them away in her desk at home.

Regardless, the cards are Maeve’s ticket to social popularity.

Since she started doing readings at school, she’s discovered that she has an eerie accuracy with her predictions – which is like crack cocaine to her teenage classmates.

They line up for her readings and pay.

The only person unimpressed by this is Lily, Maeve’s ex-best friend.

The girl that Maeve dropped once they started secondary school, because she was detrimental to Maeve’s image amongst the cool set.

When a bunch of girls harass Maeve to read a very reluctant Lily’s cards, Maeve is stunned to find a mysterious card, the Housekeeper, in the deck.

Guest Post: Jessica Sanders on Supporting Boys To Feel Free To Be Themselves

I wrote, Be Your Own Man to support boys (and their parents) to move towards creating a new world where boys are free to be themselves and to support them in navigating a changing landscape for males. I intentionally reframed soft qualities, the ones that boys are told to fear such as asking for help or vulnerability to be both brave and strong. And in the book, I hold the readers hand as together we break down male stereotypes and rebuild a new male identity that is grounded in softness, respect for others, and authenticity.