It’s only men in Morgan’s home. His dad, his big brother Mitch and his 13 year old self. When he was 8 he asked his dad what happened to his mum. Dad was in the bedroom Morgan shared with his brother, which rarely happened – so he thought he’d ask the question that often bothered him. Learning his mum left when he was only 2 and never came back only brought more questions. Not that he dwelled on them much.

As he’d grown, Morgan learned that there were things you just didn’t bring up – to avoid angry outbursts by his father. He also learnt that not doing as he was told wasn’t wise either. This knowledge included doing everything he’s instructed to do with a football. Dad is his coach and training is relentless. He is determined to make Morgan a star.

Life is small for Morgan, with no friends to speak of at school, his big brother’s nickname of Moron around his neck, and high expectations at home. Things begin to change when he meets Gray. Gray is clever, kind and funny, not minding Morgan’s lack of chatter and constant answers of a shrug with a ‘Maybe’ thrown in in their mostly one sided conversations.

Finally joining a football club opens up Morgan’s life a little, with Dad on the sidelines in training and matches. When his mother appears back in town and is keen to get to know him, Morgan isn’t sure what to think. One thing he’s sure about is not telling his father.

With another unlikely friendship in the mix, teachers who care and his dad’s way of thinking taking a huge knock, Morgan begins to learn who is really is, and wants to be.

I’m a huge fan of Barry Jonsberg and gobble up each and every novel he writes. Darkest Night, Brightest Star is yet another treasure he has given us, especially for readers aged 12 – 18, particularly boys.

The characters are so believable, and outcomes authentic that readers will be left with the feeling that they know these people personally. Toxic masculinity is the key theme of Darkest Night, Brightest Star. But the worst perpetrators of this are also true on the page, giving the reader some understanding of how it evolves and also how it is possible to be undone with kindness, patience and time.

Relationships are many and complicated in this novel, between Morgan and his dad, his brother, and his returning mum. He also makes friends with characters young and very old, with each one helping guide him to a new future.

This opinion could read as light and fluffy which is far from the truth. There is violence both at home and in public, homophobic behaviour and consequences for crimes committed by both Morgan and his father. This of course also adds to the authenticity of this novel and Morgan’s character development.

Loved it.

Author – Barry Jonsberg

Age – 12-18

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Australian author, Toxic Masculinity, Relationships, Brothers, Siblings, Football, School, Violence, Caring teachers, Homophobia, Understanding, Kindness, Elderly woman, Plants, Gardening, Family, Crime)