New and recommended young adult books for March
As summer slowly fades and the nights get cooler, it's the perfect time to get stuck into some brilliant new YA that is coming our way. Perfect for book clubs or independent reading, we have a slightly magical story set in Japan, an Australian coming-of-age, a new Patrick Ness (always exciting!), an Australian debut fantasy, a queer rom-com, and a classic that deserves revisiting.
MARCH YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai
Set in the islands of Japan, this evocative story tells of a giant catfish that causes earthquakes to occur, which wreak havoc on the world above. This book follows Sora, who lost her mother and grandfather in an earthquake and many years later is still searching for them. When Sora's father also disappears she must overcome her grief and fear to go down under the earth and confront the catfish itself to discover what has happened to her family. Our reviewer called this book, 'an ode to the unexpected tremors that unbalance us in life, and to the people who steady us again.' You can read the full review here.
Suitable for ages 13 and up.
EXCITING NEW RELEASES IN MARCH
Saltwater Boy by Bradley Christmas
This coming-of-age set in a small country town explores environmental sustainability, friendships between different generations and father-son relationships through the eyes of a young boy, Matthew, who is uprooted from his home to a coastal town when his father goes to jail. Challenging themes are handled in a sensitive, age appropriate manner.
Our reviewer says of the work, 'This is a truly touching story about friendship, family, and protecting our environment' and suggests this story is suitable for ages 10 and up. You can read the full review here.
Different for Boys by Patrick Ness & Tea Bendix (illus.)
Patrick Ness is always pushing boundaries and his slim new novel is as unusual and groundbreaking as ever. Written as a conversation between boys with all swear words and references to sex blacked out, this story is nevertheless a nuanced exploration of sexuality, particularly compelling for boys who like boys. Including black and white line drawings, and asking true to life questions such as 'what constitutes the first time [if you identify as queer]?', this clever story is highly readable.
Suitable for ages 15 and up, our reviewer says, 'I would wholeheartedly recommend it for any teenager navigating the bewildering and complex world of love and sex.' Read our review here.
Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong
This exciting fantasy debut is set in a lush world with plenty of political intrigue and features three strong women. Magic is illegal in the world of Simtra, but that doesn't mean it isn't still practised and the elusive Nightbirds can gift magic with a kiss. The church would have them killed but they are protected by powerful forces and hidden away, available only to those with the most money, until the moment when their true situation is revealed and everything changes.
This is sumptuous, thrilling feminist fantasy that will be adored by fantasy lovers aged 14 and up.
Six Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) by Tess Sharpe
Tess Sharpe's last book was a sly, brilliant and darkly funny story about a young grifter and her numerous identities. Her new book has the same sly humour but is a slow-burn romance using the will-they-won't they trope.
Penny and Tate's lives keep getting thrust together, due to the tight friendship of their mums. They are very different, despite their commonalities including that they both like girls, and don't like one another. Yet, somehow, strangely, they have almost kissed six times!
This is a fun, character driven novel that will have readers entranced. Suitable for ages 13 and up.
YA CLASSIC OF THE MONTH
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
Our featured classic this month is this iconic and enigmatic story set at Hanging Rock. On a cloudless summer day in 1900, a group from Appleyard College for Young Ladies goes for a picnic. In the heat of the afternoon sun, three girls climb through the scrub – and disappear. Our reviewer revisits this legendary Australian story and encourages us all to reread or even read it for the very first time. She says: 'Picnic at Hanging Rock fed the deepest held fears about the unknown of the Australian bush ... Its horror is built through evocative and atmospheric tension, building towards a release that is not guaranteed.'
Suitable for ages 14 through to adult.
