Chris is who Mog and his friends look to and follow. Chris is popular among them, especially to Mog. They understand each other, enjoy their banter and shared humour and hang out together after school. When Mog sees this friendship threatened by another, he’s not sure how to handle it.

Something Mog likes about Chris is his inherent goodness. This isn’t seen as weak or soft, but something that helps the group stay on an even keel. It’s not spoken of, and Chris and Mog enjoy petty crimes as much as the next kid, but they’re not mean.

When Chris slowly allows a new kid into their group – a kid who is bullied daily by the school thugs and deemed a complete loser by all; Mog isn’t happy. He decides to do something about it. His decision has an unexpected ripple effect, changing everything for them all.

Anthony McGowan’s masterful storytelling strikes again. The Fall is a YA novel of grit, peer pressure, friendship dynamics and survival within a school. Individual choices become betrayals that change lives forever. The writing is succinct, powerful, and credible. Written for Dyslexic readers, its no-holds-barred topic and authenticity will grab reluctant readers too.

A scattering of illustrations allow breaks in the text, and the larger font and line spacing also make The Fall a story to readily consume.

This is a superb addition to other stories by McGowan, with teen boys as protagonists, dealing with life and all it has to deal out to them.

Author – Anthony McGowan

Illustrator – Chris King

Reading Age – 7 / Interest Age – 13+

Dyslexic Title

Read the first Chapter here

Read more reviews of Anthony McGowan titles here

(2025, Barrington Stoke, Collins, Friendship, Betrayal, Bullies, Conflict, Crime, Growing up, Historical, Peer Pressure, Popularity, School, Dyslexic, Dyslexia, Reluctant Readers, Beck, Petty Crime, Bullying, Fighting, Gangs, Choices, Polluted Stream)

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Luna tries to connect with the new boy next door, but he blows her off. Maybe he’s seen the video too. The video from that party that has been shared 1000’s of times, bringing stares and whispers wherever she goes.

The bees arrive on mass from out of nowhere. Suddenly they’ve taken up residence in a wall in Nate’s new home. A local beekeeper tells them he can help, but they can’t rush it. Nate’s mum wants to call the pest control people, but he convinces her not to kill the creatures that help provide so much food in the world.

Luna helps Nate on the first day back at school. He’s missed three terms of their year, and feels completely lost. She enjoys having someone to talk to, after being ignored or whispered about since the video.

Together, along with a surfing beekeeper, his girlfriend, and 20,000 bees, they begin to put their lives back together, discovering the courage they need in each other to move on.

It’s far from smooth, with more than one betrayal that seem insurmountable. Time, love and new people in their lives help heal the hurts and rebuild their confidence.

This verse novel is so full of love. Pip Harry has captured so many different types of relationships beautifully in Drift. Bees (and their honey) are the catalyst that kick off the novel and bring this wonderful group of characters together.

Issues of environment, cyber bullying, mental health and the healing power of running and swimming, are woven together sweetly in an authentically portrayed Real Life novel.

When you’ve finished reading, Drift feels like a warm hug.

Author – Pip Harry

Age – 12+

(2025, Lothian Books, Hachette, Verse Novel, First Person, New Boy at School, High School, Australia, Missing Friends, Back Injury, Cyber Bullying, Video, Loss, Mental Health, Bee Keeper, Family, Friendship, Betrayal, School, Peer Pressure, Running, Swimming, Sports)

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Plunging into the river below, student’s are tossed like confetti inside and outside the bus. The few that make it out of the water are in shades of shock, disbelief and horror at what’s happened.

Unlike on the bus and at school, the levels of popular and not – are wiped clean and survival skills become king (or queen).

Most students are at the complete mercy of nature while they hope for rescue.  The least expected of them holds the knowledge to keep them alive. But it’s not only nature or the terrible tragedy affecting their physical and mental well being.

Others are scrambling to find them and control the outcome of everything – the waiting parent’s expectations, the teen’s lives and a long hidden secret.

Steph Matuku is an accomplished author across multiple genres and also a multi award winning NZ author.

Flight of the Fantail has long been on my list and I’m glad I finally dived into this page-turning genre-crossing YA novel.

Matuku has captured the many faces of teenagers in this novel. Popular and not. Bully and victim. Wealthy, spiteful, leader, follower, gay, straight, friend or foe.

But these personalities and pecking orders, either perfectly cultured throughout school years or forced upon them by their peers – is upended along with the camp bus they are travelling in, smashing apart in a deep river gorge.

Survival is key, but added complications beyond any of their imaginations steps this novel up another level of gripping, into thriller territory.

Loved it.

Author – Steph Matuku
Age – 12+

(2018, Huia Publishers, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Accident, School Trip, Popular, Bullying, Survival, Survive, Grief, Secret, Corporation, NZ Bush, Maori, Relationships, Friendships, LGBTQ+, Cover up)

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Newish to town, and with other goals in mind, Hadley has settled into her new high school. A keen journalist, she is respected by the teacher running the school paper, and is waiting to know whether she made editor in chief. There is only one other vying for the role, which worries Hadley. Peter won a scholarship the year before that she had her heart set on, and it has made Hadley work even harder to achieve her dream of a byline in the NY Times.

To her dismay, the teacher in charge gives her the job of a piece about their beloved football team, and the anticipation of a third high school championship title there for the taking. The team’s wins over the past two years have helped push a terrible past of murdered cheerleaders to the back of Sunnybrook’s minds.

Hadley bites the bullet and seeks out players and coaches to interview. It doesn’t take long before she is welcomed into the inner circle of the football team and even to a party. Some players are dubious, and even more so when it’s Hadley who rushes one of their players to hospital. It seems that none of the team want any bad press.

When poisoning is suspected, Hadley is shocked. Just before the party, she had received a message – not to go to the party. The journalist in her investigates who might have sent her the message, and then even more revealing ones, but to no avail.

Is there a darker layer to The Tigers and their coaches? When a player dies on a dark road one night, the plot thickens for Hadley, and no matter how many threats she receives and then all out hate from all around, she cannot leave the mystery alone. But are the answers worth her life?

The Champions is a high school murder mystery delving into the power of a football team’s success, its players and coaches, at the expense of anything else.

Main character Hadley isn’t a fan of football, and even less so when she begins to discover terrible secrets behind the school team. This outside view of her peers is revealing as she observes their adoration for a team that is far from faultless.

Her pursuit of the truth is ever menacing and builds to a crescendo where her life is in the balance. This gradual building tension is built on a web of secrets, lies, and supposed glory and becomes a gripping read.

Keep track of the characters, as there are many, but this just makes the plot more intricate and interesting.

The Champions is the second novel about the town of Sunnybrook, (the first is The Cheerleaders), but can be read on its own without losing any of its punch.

Author – Kara Thomas

Age – 13+

(2024, Delacorte Press, High School, Football Team, Coaches, Murder Mystery, Secrets, Lies, High School Newspaper, Tension, Investigation, Secret Messages, Relationships, Friendships, Reveals, Family, Ambitions, Editor in Chief, Sport, Betrayal, Courage, Real Life)

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At first it doesn’t faze her. School is school, right? But her best friend and older sister Isla soon pops that blasé bubble.

“High School is NOT just school. Elementary and middle school are like getting babysat.”

Tara’s mind begins to spin. She loves playing imaginative games both alone and with their baby brother Pete, so her imagination is ready to send her into a tailspin about attending high school. Is it going to be like the movies with bullies scoping out, “fresh meat?”

Is she going to get lost, never to be seen again in endless hallways?

With one last encouraging but confusing sentence from Isla, Tara is suddenly on her own in the chaos of high school on the first day of the year. The hallways are packed, the behaviour shocking, and how do you tell the teachers apart from the students?

Soon there is a light among the confusion. Her English class is the worst, full of loud, rude and ridiculous boy behaviour that the teacher can’t seem to reign in. There is one other girl in English however, named Libby. Tara and Libby team up for class projects and then desks next to each other.

Just when Tara thinks she has high school nailed down, other things rise up, confusing her further. What music is cool? What’s not? How should she act around her sister’s older friends? Did she make a fool of herself in front of Libby?

This whole skip-a-year deal is the worst idea ever suggested in the history of high schools, but maybe, just maybe, with her big sister’s help, Tara will survive, understand and grow into it.

This graphic novel captures all the angst and confusion of the first year of high school, first crushes, and first meet ups with older kids, all while skipping a whole year of social development and 8th grade / year 8.

Tara might be ready academically but she is far from ready socially – having to learn fast in class, in the school hallways, and whilst making new friendships.

The fun illustration style, without graphic novel panels, allows so much more to be shared on the page. It’s an entertaining style, clearly showing when Tara is in ‘play’ mode with her baby brother, or full-on imagination mode as she spirals into worries about attending high school.

Exploring all it is to be a new teen in a new school before you’re ready, How it all ends is funny, clever and authentic. 

Author – Illustrator – Emma Hunsinger

Age – 12+

Graphic Novel

(2024, Harper Collins, School, Growing up, Humour, Secret, Peer Pressure, Family, Friendship, Crush, Self Esteem, Confusion, Teen Angst, English Class, High School, Skipping years, Funny, Sisters, Siblings, Imagination, Real Life)

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Leah is intimidated to begin with, her perception of Anthony being a popular boy in the school basketball team who will think himself above her. Anthony along with others in their grade, knew Leah as a high achiever and a teacher’s pet. They enter the tutoring with trepidation.

To their joint surprise, they begin to enjoy each other’s company and after time even begin to confide in one another about personal things. Anthony’s facade finally begins to crack after rarely showing his feelings. Leah’s tutoring helps him delve deeper into his emotions to help with his essay writing.

When one day they see Anthony’s team mates bullying a younger boy, they are not only forced deeper into their own past experiences with bullying, they know they must do something after a second incident.

Truths are shared, memories rear up, and friendships bend. Middle school is seldom straight forward, and Anthony and Leah must make decisions, forgive, understand and grow from it all.

Although named Always Anthony, like other books in this popular graphic novel series, there are two main characters. Leah is an equal and important part of this story about unlikely friendships, misconceptions about people around you, and bullying.

Leah has been bullied before and can relate to a younger boy’s fear and feelings as he flees from older boys. Anthony is on the basketball team with these boys and doesn’t want to rock the boat, attract the bullying or make a big deal of it. Both Anthony and Leah have to deal with the complicated feelings that rise up at seeing a younger boy bullied.

There are other things happening as Anthony and Leah work together on his English class grade. Leah’s friends become jealous, Anthony’s friends are dismissive of Leah, and then his best friend Tyler is left feeling out in the cold after an essay project.

Wrangling friendships in school can be difficult – especially when group dynamics change, but it’s all part of the growing process for us all, and this bright, engaging episode in the emmie & friends series is a fun foray into all sorts of possible connections.

I always enjoy the two distinct styles of illustration and storytelling for each character’s point of view in this series. In between the more serious themes are amusing drawings that add even more to the tale. I love them all!

Author / Illustrator – Terri Libenson

Age – 8+

Find lots of cool stuff on Terri Libenson’s Author page here

(2024, Harper Collins, School, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Courage, Growing up, Peer Pressure, Popularity, Misconceptions, Friendship Dynamics, Middle School, Intermediate School, Jewish, Baking, Cooking, Chemistry, English, Language Arts, Funny, Humour,

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In Will’s eyes they stand out like sirens on his feet, and bullies like Chris Tucker are always listening. Chris hassles Will every chance he gets, drawing laughter from his friends and anyone else close enough to hear. Will deals with it the best he can, believing he can’t do a lot about it, as Chris is older and more popular.

Will’s best mate Cameron is his lifeline, and they spend a lot of time at his warm, spacious house, gaming and eating well. When returning to his own cramped, cold flat, Will knows it’s not his dad’s fault, and like his father, tries to stay positive. There’s never much to eat, and Will makes the most of the free hot school lunches during the day, and makes do with soup and toast at home.

Another escape for Will is his drawing. He’s a talented artist, even painting walls at a local cafe and appearing in the newspaper. His art teacher believes he will go a long way with his skills, but drawings don’t fill his stomach or keep his feet dry in the rain. One day at school, when Chris is starting in on both Will and Cameron, a voice rings out in their defence. To their surprise, a girl in Chris’ year stands up to him.

Her name is Kalia and Will is incredibly impressed at how she doesn’t seem fazed at all by Chris. Maybe he will leave them be for a while? Things begin to look up a little for Will. Art class is going well and Will produces the best art than ever before, finally garnering a little respect from his classmates. Soon, Dad has news about a possible job offer, and Kalia extends more friendship.

Meeting her family brings both hope for his future and the wish his own flat was more like their home. But just when things are looking up, life changes again for him and his dad. Will feels like he will never get a break, and that his life is a slippery slope to nowhere.

‘Yes, I know that life is always changing – I used to live in a nice house with both my parents and now I’m in a tiny freezing-cold flat with my dad who can’t work because of his terrible leg injuries.’

He’s sick of being cold, worrying about money, and pretending everything is fine with whoever asks. When offered a chance to make changes, he sees no other way and takes it. His father has made the same decision.

Fitting in at school is tough for many, and even worse when you don’t look the same as your classmates. Whether it’s the wrong haircut, clothes or shoes, bullies will pounce like lions. This novel is set in the UK, but schools around the world are the same when it comes to this sort of exclusion.

After reading The Invisible by the author of this novel, I knew The Wrong Shoes would be something special. The author being a talented illustrator too, there are powerful images throughout this novel, sharing the main character’s experiences with poverty, bullying and choices made through frustration.

Family circumstances (anywhere) can change slowly or overnight, and the afterword by Tom Percival tells it straight – Child poverty is NEVER the child’s fault. So many factors affect people’s lives and children often bear the brunt.

This novel is even more moving as main character Will shares his story direct to the reader as he’s living it. It’s real, raw and he tells it like it is. He’s a brave character, trying to protect his father’s feelings, prevent his mother’s worries and make things right from wrongs. But even he cracks, and it’s heart wrenching.

A powerful read that will make a great read aloud for years 5 – 8 (NZ) Ages 9-12 to launch important discussions about poverty.

Author / Illustrator – Tom Percival

Age – 9+

(2024, Simon & Schuster UK, Harper Collins, Bullies, School, Family, Poverty, Friendship, Prejudice, Peer Pressure, Popularity, Revenge, Cheap shoes, Cold flat, Hungry, No money, Free lunches, Choices, Rich friends, Too proud, Bully, Theft, Payback, Two homes, Injured father, Real Life)

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The police think her best friend Jayden ran away. Her classmates don’t seem to even care. But Zoe knows Jayden is still alive. He has to be…

She is mad at herself for walking home alone that day. Most of the time they walk home together, at least until Jayden splits off to his street. But they’d had an argument and tension was high. If only she’d looked for him as soon as he hadn’t answered her message. If only she’d told the police earlier. Would it have helped them find Jayden?

With her classmate’s apathy, and the police investigation stalling only days since Jayden went missing, Zoe begins searching herself. She wishes she had money for a private investigator, but if Jayden’s high profile parents aren’t using one, how can she? Beginning with students around her and with the help of her obsessive friend Niamh, they begin looking for clues and piecing what they find together into possible scenarios.

But nothing makes sense. What is the 17? What is the Green Room and what was Jayden hiding from Zoe? Sure, he’s always looked for attention and longed to fit in with the popular kids, but what has he been doing behind Zoe’s back?

The more she digs, interviewing people and honing her skills as a wannabe investigative reporter, the more she realises she didn’t know her best friend at all. It’s not long before she too is in danger. Someone is trying to silence her, both with warnings and then physically. What has Jayden been a part of?

A gripping Young Adult thriller by a master storyteller, If You Tell Anyone, You’re Next, had me guessing until the heart stomping conclusion. Zoe is a determined character and friend, but the friendship she had based her life around for years isn’t what she thought it was.

She knows her missing friend Jayden so well, she has imagined conversations with him as she tries to unravel the clues she finds. She knows just how he would reply as she questions one thing after another in her investigation, but soon begins to wonder – does she really know him at all?

Each chapter begins with the day, the time, and how many hours Jayden Jones has been missing. This builds the tension as we all know the longer someone is missing, the chances of finding them alive – shrinks.

There is a loose romantic thread woven through as Zoe ex-crush is involved and the reason she changed her mind about him revealed.

Any Karen McManus fans will love If You Tell Anyone, You’re Next – In fact, I think this murder-mystery-thriller is even better.

Author – Jack Heath

Age – 12+

(2023, Scholastic Australia, Thriller, Mystery, Clues, Investigation, Podcast, School, Missing Person, Technology, Friendship, 17, Dares, Challenges, Belonging, Popular, Peer Pressure, Fear, Action, Tension, Police, Group, Secrets, Crime, Popularity, Betrayal, Determination, Loyalty)

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She’s not alone – at least in the physical sense. Layla’s friends say they’ll look out for Tally and continue to include her in their group, but without Layla’s support, Tally struggles more and more.

Her autism was never a problem when Layla was around, but the other girls are beginning to comment on her differences and complain if she doesn’t like what they are into. They don’t understand that just the bright strip lighting at school, the bright colours, rowdy corridors, school rules and subject demands, all take something from Tally each day. So just the suggestion of a shopping expedition with them fills her with dread.

But she sees other kids on the edges of the school groups. None look happy to be on their own and she really doesn’t want to become one of them. She follows her group into stuff she is uncomfortable with and then regrets her decisions afterwards.

Without Layla at school, and her parents losing their patience with her at home, Tally feels adrift in a roiling sea of friendship dos and dont’s, peer pressures and fitting in.

These pressures build until Tally has no reserves to call upon to even get out of bed some mornings. Her actions weigh heavily upon her and being unable to explain what is happening inside her mind is frustrating, painful and scary to her parents as she shuts down.

Her online friends are worried, Layla hasn’t contacted her and her so-called-friends post something incredibly hurtful online. Help from a surprising source allows Tally to finally realise she can explain how she feels – just not in the way people expect. It has been right at her fingertips the whole time. She just has to be brave enough to do it.

Year 8 is a tumultuous time for any teen, but add the challenges of autism into the mix and each day becomes a battle for main viewpoint character Tally. There are sounds, sights, peer pressures and school demands that constantly pound Tally from all sides. Changes in her friendship dynamics tip things further until her world becomes too hard to navigate.

Not wanting to be alone is normal for anyone, and falling foul to peer pressure is common. Tally falls into this trap, trying valiantly to stay in a group of girls that become more and more toxic, until their cyber bullying goes too far.

There are sections of journal writing, song lyrics and text messaging throughout the book, which help both Tally herself and the reader understand what she is going through.

This is a heart wrenching read, but also a window into a young autistic girl’s world. She is not ashamed of her autism, but like most teens, just wants to fit in. This beautifully written novel shows how she overcomes her bullies, their ‘jokes’ and treatment, and finally sees there are others who are facing their own challenges, willing to stand up for her and themselves. Unfortunately Tally is broken to pieces before she can finally begin building her self back together again.

I haven’t read of the previous novels by these authors, and didn’t need to, to have my heart break for Tally or anyone facing her daily challenges.

Authors – Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

Age – 11+

(2023, Scholastic Aust, Autistic, Friendship, Autism, School, Peer Pressure, Anxiety, Family, Coping Mechanisms, Stimming, Journal Entries, Emotions, Overwhelmed, Overstimulated, Year Seven, Horse Riding, Toxic Friendships, Growing Up, Solutions, Understanding, Speaking one’s truth, Speaking up, Neurodiverse,

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He’s just got on with it, hanging out with Anthony and Worm. Parties with booze, drugs and girls. Not that Spence or Worm ever hook-up with the latter. Worm is too crazy and Spence is too quiet. Anthony’s wealthy parents are away again, so that means another party. Everyone knows his parties are legendary, and Spence intends to attend, even on this night as his father stays home alone.

The music is loud, the drugs hidden but present and the booze plentiful. Spence saw his old crush Clara Hart among the partygoers, dancing and getting drunker by the minute. Then she’s gone. With Anthony. Which gives Spence a stab to the heart. There is worse to come. Clara reappears after stumbling and falling down the stairs. She runs out into the night – straight into the path of an oncoming car. Everyone sobers up fast, especially Spence at the news of her death.

There are more shocks to come. The next day, he sees Clara in the carpark. What the…? She is exactly as the morning before. Even says the same things? In class, Spence hears the exact same sentences. Incredibly, somehow… he is reliving Friday.

This happens again and again… and again and…

Struggling with Clara’s loss over and over, he tries to figure what he must do to return to reality. Save Clara? Prevent Worm losing even more dignity? Help others around him? Every rerun of the day begins to bring different events and morphs slightly when he changes things. But someone always gets hurt. When he finally realises what has to happen he is shocked and disgusted with himself. If only he had clicked sooner. If only he had spoken up.

Wow. Every teenage boy should read this book. The list below cannot be wrong.

Shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, 2023

Finalist for the Kirkus Prize, Young Adult category, 2023

Winner of a White Raven Award 2023

Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2023

Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2023

Shortlisted for The Badger Books Award 2023

Shortlisted for the Great Reads Award 2022

The premise of reliving a day is interesting and entertaining, but the reason Spence must persevere with it is shocking, heartbreaking, and was with me long after I’d finished listening to this audiobook.

Date rape, Toxic masculinity, and looking the other way are the underlining themes of this powerful and brilliantly written novel of a teen in a time loop.

Personally, I believe there should be many more Winner listings above.

Author – Louise Finch

Age – 16+

(2023, Little Island, Date Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual Violence, Parties, Alcohol, Booze, Drugs, Looking the other way, Time Loop, Grief, Loss, Toxic Masculinity, Patriarchal Norms, Sexism, Misogyny, Meathead Mentality, Friendship, Loyalty, School, Crime, Secret, Grief, Peer Pressure, Growing up, Courage)

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The bigger his worries grow, the bouncier the T-Rex becomes – even doing twist and flips!

A young student stands alone with their worries swirling in their stomach. Someone said something mean and she’s not sure how to feel.

More worries bloom at school when words have been tossed around to make others feel mad or sad.

What can they do to make the T-Rex stop its Tummy terrors?

Maybe some fresh air with a walk outside? Telling someone they trust about the T-Rex?

‘Never feel you need to keep your worries to yourself.

Getting something off your chest, it really, really helps.’

There’s a T-Rex in my Tummy is a brightly coloured rhyming picture book for any young child with anxiety.

Many situations can upset children in their daily life. Changes in home or school life. Unkind words or exclusion at school. Or even seeing someone else upset or angry.

Getting a child to open up about their specific worries is often difficult. This simple but concise picture book is absolutely perfect to read to them – giving simple solutions they can do themselves, anywhere or anytime they feel that T-Rex stirring in their tummy.

The rhyming and coloured illustrations will capture their senses, and the text will connect with any anxiousness down deep.

A great read aloud picture book to read to young children to either counteract worries before they get too big, or tackle them once present.

Author – Kellie Dawson

Illustrator – Sarah Healey

Picture Book

Find your copy here

(2023, WaiAko Books, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Worries, Fears, Anxiety, Change, Security, Friendship, Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Solutions, Peer Pressure, School)

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There are few people who love romance stories more than Georgia. She loves every kind of trope there is, immersing herself in romance novels for years. They always leave her excited for her own romantic future. Who will she find and fall in love with? No one inspired those feelings at school, so maybe Uni will finally reveal someone perfect for only her.

Pip is gay and Georgia has always supported her when she crushed on someone, especially after crushing on a straight girl. Jason is only just over a toxic relationship at school and Georgia can see romance isn’t always roses, chocolates and butterflies, but still pines for some of the lovely stuff for herself.

She settles in to her College, which is separate from her friends due to study choices. At first she’s nervous being away from their safety net, and even more so when she is told she will be sharing with another.

But Rooney is the complete opposite personality – bright, popular, and confident with strangers. She is the perfect room mate for Georgia, helping to boost her confidence. Rooney’s love of Shakespeare is shared among Georgia and her friends and they get caught up in Rooney’s idea to put on a play. Along the way, Rooney and Pip clash, Georgia makes a terrible mistake with Jason and finally begins to question any possible romance in her future.

It’s not only because of mistakes made, but why she made those mistakes in the first place. Is she different from her peers somehow? Is romance never to be part of her life?

With some help from a third year student who is also the president of the LGBTQ+ College Soc. Georgia begins to get to know her true self, and that romance isn’t the only way you can truly love someone.

I loved this book! The cover doesn’t do it justice, but the author’s name should say it all anyway. The world knows Alice Oseman is a brilliant writer of LGBTQ+ fiction, after reading the graphic novels or seeing Heartstopper on their screens – but I love Loveless even more.

A young woman entering University is not only in a whole new world, but learning about herself at the same time. It is a journey full of trepidation, confusion, embarrassment and even guilt. But ultimately this path takes her to her true self and the realisation that romantic love isn’t all there is.

The friendships already established become even stronger, albeit with some rocky patches, and new friendships help this young woman learn to love herself too. She isn’t the only one struggling however, and soon learns the ones who may look the strongest are anything but. This novel is heartbreaking, funny, sassy, and a window into many lives, all struggling to find who they really are. Their strengthening friendships help strengthen them each as individuals.

Simply gorgeous tale of all kinds of love.

Author – Alice Oseman

Age – 16+

Want to read more Alice Oseman? Check out another review (Click on the Cover)

(2020, Harper Collins, LGBTQ+, Friendship, Romance, Love, Growing up, Secret, Peer Pressure, University, Unsure, Gay, Bisexual, Asexual, Understanding, Uni life, Theatre, Shakespeare, Acting, Actors, Self Love, Room mate, TikTok)

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It means going away to a special camp for a few weeks. Leaving home and his comfort zone. Meeting other seventeen year olds who were also selected. They too are probably shy, introverted, and having problems at finding their place in life. Like Sebastian, they are probably unhappy.

Arriving late doesn’t help, but Sebastian is just in time for the Welcome to HappyHead presentation and a heads up on what to expect. Healthy meals, changing their rooms every day, being part of group activities and challenges, all while the staff sprinkled them with positive affirmations. Sebastian isn’t the only one to grumble or roll their eyes, at the constant smiles and joy oozing out of the staff in their bright yellow overalls.

Sebastian decides to contribute to the daily tasks he is assigned to along with his group. For some it’s a tough ask, and one person in particular, rebels. Finn is an enigma to Sebastian, this boy with the tattoos and hate filled gaze. Why won’t he just make an effort, complains another in Sebastian’s group.

Depending on how well they do each day, they are given corresponding comforting rooms at the end of the day. The top spot is Room no.1 and one girl in Sebastian’s team has it in her sights.

Finn doesn’t seem to care about the rooms either, and if anything, he distrusts the whole program more and more each day. When he shares with Sebastian what he’s seen, learnt or experienced each time he is dragged away after refusing to join in, Sebastian begins to see the program with different eyes.

Is Finn right? Or should Sebastian trust the adults around him who say they have his best interests in hand?

What they finally discover is more terrible than Sebastian could have ever imagined. But there is no escape….

An ever increasing menace creeps through the pages of this young adult novel. Beginning with a teen who has never found his place amongst his peers, and who’s parents believes a specially designed program will fix him, HappyHead delves into a growing problem in society. Anxious, stressed, unhappy teenagers.

But as each day passes and the activities and learning opportunities become more bizarre, alarm bells begin ringing. What is the desired outcome for the leaders of HappyHead? Is it to aid the hundred 17 year old participants given in to their care, or are there other nefarious objectives? Sebastian and another from his group are attracted to each other, but the LGBTQ+ element weaves effortlessly into the narrative, building more into the characters themselves than the plot.

The truth of Sebastian’s predicament continues to derail right up to the very last pages, revealing that this is the first in a series.

Looking forward to what is waiting for Sebastian next.

Author – Josh Silver

Age – 13+

(2023, Bloomsbury, Dystopian, Our Future, Mental Health, Family, Anxiety, Stress, Self hate, Camp, Wellness, Control, Group Activities, Gripping, Series, Secrets, Mystery, Peer Pressure, Expectations, Society, Shy, Introverted, Unhappy, Health, Wellbeing)

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Many of these cookies mumble and grumble as they fall asleep, but one night this young cookie is still awake long after her fellow biscuits.

She’s worried. Why can’t she think fast like her classmates? Why is she always last to finish a test in school? After happening again and again, Cookie feels stupid.

Back at school her teacher gives her class a new assignment – bring something to class tomorrow you have made yourself. No rules or instructions. Just made by you.

Tomorrow! Cookie panics. That’s not enough time!

But soon she calms her mind and an idea comes to her.

Sharing it the next day is daunting but Cookie finally realises she is really good at something. She doesn’t have to compare herself to anyone anymore because everyone is good at something – including her!

Another feel good story in this wonderful series of picture books about feelings, emotions and daily life of school age children.

This young Cookie is navigating school and feeling like she isn’t as clever as her classmates, as they seem to be much faster at thinking on their feet. Learning that tests and school work aren’t the only thing that shows you’re smart, her confidence soars.

School children will often compare themselves to others, especially in a class environment working close together. Understanding that everyone is good at something, and that we are all different, helps children to build their self esteem and treasure their own achievements.

Author – John Jory

Illustrator – Pete Oswald

Picture Book

Read other reviews of books in this series (Click on a Cover)

(Series, Identity, Accomplishments, Finishing something, Achievements, School, Classroom, Humour, Self Esteem, Confidence, Good at something, Feelings, Belonging, Differences, Worries, Being brave, Belonging, Fitting in)

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Ant – has lots of questions he wants answers to. What is virginity and when do you lose it? Is it only when you’ve been with a girl or does it count if you practise with a boy?

Jack – Ant’s friend. Ant knows the truth about Jack but others like to guess, tease and taunt Jack about being gay. Jack deflects it all with humour, making bullies even madder.

Charlie – Not sure who he really is, and is taking that struggle out on others. Change is not welcome in his life and a secret being discovered isn’t either. Betrayal of a friend is easier to deal with, but the fallout is painful.

Freddie – loving rugby now that he’s become wide shouldered and barrel chested, without losing any of his speed on the field. Only Freddie it seems is comfortable in his own skin, providing a well-needed anchor for a friend.

This short illustrated novel is in the viewpoint of Ant. It is unique in the fact that the strong language the characters speak (as they would do in real life) is blacked out so the reader cannot see it.

Any teen reader will understand what is being said underneath each solid black box. The characters can also see them and they find it interesting to test what they can say without the word being blacked out.

This brings humour into the novel as four teenage boys, inseparable when they were young, are thrown back together in a classroom group.

Sparks fly, along with fists. Secrets are spat out as protection and stronger friendships forged.

As always with multi award winning author Patrick Ness, Different for Boys is something special.

Author – Patrick Ness

Illustrator – Tea Bendix

Age – 15+

Read more reviews of Patrick Ness novels (Click on a Cover)

(2023, Walker Books Aust, Illustrated novel, Teenagers, Sex, Gay, LGBTQ+, Secrets, School, Friendships, Betrayal, Football, Relationships, Loyalty, Identity, Growing Up, Questions, Virginity)

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This weapon remained in Jahnine’s family, and now is wrapped up in newspaper in the shed. Jahnine’s mum is in hospital with a second run-in with Cancer. This time is much worse than the first time and Jahnine is worried.

Since small, she has lost her father, her brother and her grandmother is in a care facility for those with dementia. It’s becoming all too much for Jahnine at only 16. Her auntie has come to stay to look after her and spend time with her sister in hospital, but Jahnine wonders if she herself can do more.

Her mum had mentioned once that if the Patu is returned to the rightful owners, the curse will lift. If she finds the people it belongs to, will it save her mum?

Her quest to relieve her family of decades of bad luck begins in an unlikely place. She meets a guy called Andy while visiting her grandmother in the rest home. But Andy is not who she believes him to be and also has his own troubles and family dynamics to deal with. Jahnine is suddenly caught up in an unplanned road trip that goes completely off track. But maybe that’s exactly what needs to happen for her mum to live?

A compelling story of a girl trying to save her mum, Patu is multi-layered and told in the omniscient point of view. This allows the reader to get to know the key characters well. Jahnine is pakeha of Irish descent and the holder of a greenstone Patu. Her unease with the Patu rules her handling of it, never wanting to touch it.

Andy in turn is perfectly comfortable with the weapon, and its effects on him. He is Māori but only knows a sprinkling of te reo, and not much else of his family past. His introduction of Jahnine to his family kicks off the uncomfortable and often regretful journey Jahnine takes.

This journey reveals so much more about the characters. As urban Māori like Andy, some have completely lost their links to their heritage, while others are fluent in te reo and customs. The reader learns about Māori customs and some te reo along with the characters, though I recommend you read the book and not listen to the audiobook as the mispronunciation of te reo is quite jarring if you know better.

Family dynamics including drug problems, alcohol abuse, and the practice of Whāngai is mentioned in the novel, but respect, patience, understanding and spiritual awareness are also an important part.

An authentic look at a New Zealand life, Patu is an enjoyable read.

Author – Tim Tipene

Age – 16+

(2012, Warrior Kids, New Zealand, Auckland, Road Trip, Tipuna, Whanau, Family, Kuia, Greenstone, Patu, Weapon, Land Wars, Irish Descent, Te reo Maori, Customs, Karakia, Marae, Pub, Cancer, Illness, NZ Bush, Reationships)

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After attending Harvard Law and John F Kennedy School of Government, he knew he wanted to work in Human Rights. Working for the Southern Centre for Human Rights, he was assigned to the state of Alabama. Seeing a desperate need for legal support, he established the EJI – Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama.

This was the only state that did not provide legal assistance to anyone on death row, So Bryan and others working in the EJI decided to do just that.

There were many that needed help. Walter McMillan was his first case and a tough one. He had been placed on death row even before he was convicted of a crime he did not commit. A white woman had been murdered and a false testimony from a white man was taken as evidence that Walter committed the crime.

The evidence proving he didn’t was mismanaged by his first lawyers and condemned him to death by electric chair. It didn’t take long before EJI and Bryan could clearly see this was a racist driven case – as are many more he investigates throughout this book.

This unabridged true story young adult edition of the original book shocked me over and over and over again. I sat shaking my head at the injustice over and over and over again. It also inspired me as Bryan and his colleagues at EJI fought against the odds, lack of hours, funds and heinous racism, for people who had been sent to death row when innocent.

He exposes time and time again, the injustice against children, disabled, intellectual disabled, or just plain innocent men and woman – mostly African American. Over the years, the EJI work to change laws and free many incarcerated men and woman who should never have been in prison, let alone death row, in the first place.

Now I’ve read the book, I’m going to watch the movie….

Author – Bryan Stevenson

Age – 13+

Non-Fiction

(2019, Young Adult Edition, USA, American, Prison, Death Row, Non-Fiction, Crime, Murder, Innocent, Family, Faith, Human Rights, Racism, Prejudice, Alabama, Law, Attorney, Lawyer, Court Room, Guilty, Conviction, Determination, Love, Broken People, Empathy, Understanding, Tolerance, Patience, Society)

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Bug’s best friend Moira doesn’t like staying over because of the strange things she’s seen or heard, but Bug can convince her every now and then. It’s their last summer before middle school and Moira thinks they should begin to get ready. Bug doesn’t know what she means at first until Moira brings up topics like clothes and make up and boys.

Not interested in any of these, Bug just goes with it when Moira wants to give her a makeover. But the result is even more scarier than her usual reflection. The girl staring out from the mirror feels like a completely different person, a stranger even. She can’t describe it, but she is feeling less and less herself lately, especially since Uncle Roderick passed away. It’s too hard to explain to Moira when Bug can’t even explain it to herself, so she pretends to be interested in what girls are supposed to like.

When Bug wakes up one morning with her bedroom ransacked she knows something spectral has happened. She tidies up before her mum sees the mess. More and more things happen, and she has strange dreams. Keeping these events from both Moira and her mum, Bug explores old files and papers she’s found in the attic, and in Uncle Roderick’s room too. She then researches the world of ghosts, Ouija boards and hauntings, at the public library. It confirms her suspicions. Uncle Roderick is trying to tell her something.

The middle-school years are turbulent at the best of times and a plethora of books have been written about it. This is a good thing as each middle-schooler / Intermediate (NZ) student has a different experience due to different lives and encounters beforehand.

In Too Bright To See, 11 yr old Bug is content to stay just the way she is. She likes her shorts and t-shirts, reading books and riding her bike, but her friend urges her gently to do what other girls do, to enable them to fit in at middle-school. This age brings huge changes such as puberty, making new friends, having more responsibility with more homework and joining out of school activities.

This is all so daunting for Bug, because she feels like she has lost herself along the way, or actually, not quite found who she truly is in the first place. The loss of an important guiding light in her family makes this even more confusing. Her struggle pulled at my heartstrings as she is pulled in different directions trying to find where or how she ‘fits’.

When the true Bug is finally revealed in the mirror one morning, the transformation is wonderous, both for character and any reader following Bug’s journey in this award winning novel.

Too Bright to See is true treasure and possibly life changing for those who are struggling with finding their true selves.

Intuitive, authentic and beautiful.

Author – Kyle Lukoff

Age – 10+

(2022, Penguin, Transgender, LGBTQ+, Blended Family, Family, Friendship, Growing up, Love, Ghost, Peer Pressure, School, Secret, Drag Queen, Gay, Make up, Grief, Ouija Board, Poltergeist, New friend, Acceptance, Change, Discovery, Identity)

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Amanda and her best friends Lu and Mai are in the same Year 3 class at school, all wear a dolphin charm necklace, and love sharing baking and doing crafts together in their clubhouse in Amanda’s backyard.

One day in class they all receive a notice on white paper. White paper always means something important and sure enough, it’s announcing a compulsory school cross country event. Some are excited about the upcoming fun that goes along with it as they dress up in their house colours, but some are dreading it already. Mai really hates running, and Lu and Amanda know they must try and cheer her up.

They soon come up with a solution – Operation Cross Country!

Mai might not like running but Amanda does. She must make a decision whether to be one of the first 10 runners over the line or run with her friends in support.

But her Lu and Mai don’t stick with the plan. Amanda must deal with her disappointment with her friend’s broken pinky promise.

These friends do everything together and decide to run cross country the same way. But during the race, competitive natures and the excitement of the day wins over and a pinky promise is broken.

Promises made mean a lot to these seven year olds, and main character Amanda is left with hurt feelings. Lu and Mai realise what has happened and quickly remedy things. This trio have just learnt a new lesson – just by being friends.

With three books in the series so far, they can be read in any order, making them so much easier to pick up and enjoy.

Author – Coral Vass

Illustrator – Heidi Cooper Smith

Age – 7+

Read more in the series (Click on a Cover)

(2022, Exisle Publishing, School, Friendship, Series, Peer Pressure, Clubhouse, Painting, Arts, Colours, Cross Country, Running, Competition)

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Everyone is talking about what they are going to wear. All is fine until Amanda and her Dolphin Squad friends learn that her nemesis Eve is also wearing a yellow dress to the disco. Surely it can’t be the very same one.

It’s time for a Squad Talk! Amanda Commander texts her besties:

Classified Operation

Meet at HQ at 16 15 hours 

They have their Headquarters in the backyard of their chosen leader – Amanda Commander. The good thing is she always has fresh baking and they have all their paint supplies there too so they can work together on pictures.

But this is an emergency! What if Eve has the same dress as Amanda. That would be so embarrassing!

It’s time for Operation Disco Dress!

Once again, a girl in Amanda’s class named Eve has put a spanner in the works and Amanda, Lu and Mai are trying to sort things out. They must find out what Eve is going to wear to the Year three school disco, to avoid possible, and terrible, embarrassment.

Things are way worse in their minds than in real life, but still they must be sure. They come up with a plan that will solve everything. Who knew that someone else was also coming up with the exact same plan!

The Amanda Commander series can be read in any order, and any Year three students (7+) will enjoy the everyday problems that happen with school, friendships, school events and growing up in general with Amanda and her friends.

Author – Coral Vass

Illustrator – Heidi Cooper Smith

Age – 7+

Read more reviews of Amanda Commander stories (Click on a Cover)

(2022, Exisle Publishing, Wombat Books, School, Growing up, Friendship, Peer Pressure, Series)

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