August sees a long list of interesting, diverse and exciting Australian YA books out in the wild. From supernatural thrillers to award-winning sci-fi to moving realism that tackles social issues, you couldn’t hope for a better spread of amazing local teen fiction.

Find our best recommendations for kids’ books this month here.

OUR YA BOOK THE OF THE MONTH

Paula Weston’s The Undercurrent is a futuristic supernatural thriller with plenty of twists, intrigue and subterfuge. Julianne de Marchi has a covert power with electricity, and no idea she is being surveilled by a privatised military unit.

Readings Malvern bookseller Daniella Robertson describes this gripping novel as ‘an ambitious thriller that presents us with an alarming look at Australia’s near future and where our technological advances could be taking us’. Highly recommended for older teens.

You can read Daniella’s full review here.

LOVEOZYA PICKS

Pip Harry’s third novel, Because of You, delves into the complexities of homelessness and privilege. Tiny has run away to Sydney and finds herself living at Hope Street homeless shelter. Her path intersects with Nola, who is required to (reluctantly) complete community service as part of her final year of school. The two girls from very different background and circumstances, find a greater understanding of life through their friendship and the shelter’s creative writing program. Readings Hawthorn children’s book buyer Alexa Dretzke highly recommends this book, saying: ‘ Because of You is confronting and sad, but has so much heart and hope that as you wipe away the tears, you smile.’ For ages 13 and up.

You can read Alexa’s full review here.

An exchange student volunteers at a community village for young adults with special needs in Darren Groth’s Exchange of Heart. Monroe is still suffering from the loss of his beloved sister Evie, who has died from heart complications connected to her Down’s Syndrome, when he comes to Australia. He’s apprehensive about volunteering at the village, but soon finds a new home and family with the residents. Readings Kids bookseller Dani Solomon sats: ‘It’s uplifting to read Exchange of Heart and watch these five young adults help Munro come to terms with his grief.’

You can read Dani’s full review here.

In The Build-up Season, Megan Jacobson gives us Illiad, a 17-year-old girl struggling to recover from an abusive family situation. Readings Kids manager Angela Crocombe was mightily impressed by Jacobson’s second book: ‘Set in the sultry, scorching climate of Darwin, this is a beautifully written, compelling story that pulls you along with its strength of character.’

You can read Angela’s full review here.

Scot Gardner continues to bring fresh and unique characters and stories to Australian youth literature with Sparrow, a story of homelessness and survival in the wilderness. Our reviewer, Dani, was completely invested in this harrowing tale: ‘As with all Gardner’s books, there’s a strong theme of hope running throughout, so no matter how bad things look for the resourceful Sparrow, he never quite lets the light go completely out.’

You can read Dani’s full review here.

Ampersand Prize-winning novel, In the Dark Spaces by Cally Black hits the shelves this month, and you might struggle to find a more original sci-fi this year! Tamara is separated from her family and taken hostage in deep space by Crowpeople. At first intent on escape, Tamara gradually learns that the Crowpeople are far from monsters – making her search for family and belonging all the more complicated. This is thrilling, tense and dark sci-fi set in a future world where ordinary people have taken to space and other planets to survive.

INTERNATIONAL YA PICKS

It’s always exciting to discover a new author, and Laura Dockrill blew me away with the sumptuous and wild language, non-cookie cutter characters, and rollicking plotline of Lorali. Lorali is mermaid royalty but has rejected underwater life in favour of land. Rory is an ordinary English teenager who does not expect to find a naked girl on the beach. And the Abelgare guys are streetwise, dandy pirate thieves who are equal parts terrifying and hilarious. With this book, Dockrill achieved the impossible – making mermaids and pirates edgy, thoroughly contemporary and just a little bit sexy.

I currently have my copy of the sequel, Aurabel, on my bedside table, waiting to be cracked open.

I adored The Moonlight Dreamers by Siobhan Curham so I was surprised and delighted to realise a follow-up, Tell it to the Moon, was on its way. The Moonlight Dreamers is one of my favourite recommendations for teenagers who want to read an uplifting book about aspirations, feminism and friendship, so my expectations are high for the sequel.

To round out these Anglophilic recommendations… Non Pratt fans (Remix, Trouble) can rejoice over the arrival of Truth or Dare. In this story, Claire offers to help Sef create a ‘truth or dare’ YouTube channel to raise money for his brother’s medical treatment, but their burgeoning relationship is threatened by the escalating antics of the project.

Truth or Dare uses the most hardcore of dual POV options – the flip book. Read Claire’s story first, then flip the book over and read Sef’s story from the back.

A SPOTLIGHT ON NON-FICTION

Motivational speaker, author and YouTuber Lizzie Velasquez has written a fantastic book calling for kindness, respect and self love in the face of bullying. Dare to be Kind is written in her warm and engaging voice, with succinct themed chapters and honest personal anecdotes and opinions. I think young people will find so much solace and food for thought in this funny, smart and compassionate book.

CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

Readings Kids manager Angela revisits The Owl Service by Alan Garner on its fiftieth anniversary and marvels at Garner’s ability to evoke a strong sense of place and his skill with dialogue. The Owl Service is a timeless fantasy book featuring owls and strange old plates, repeating love triangles and a mythical woman made of flowers. It really deserves a new generation of readers.

You can read Angela’s review here.

RECENT NEWS

We’ve recently enjoyed having high school students complete work experience with Readings. During their time here, we asked them to tell us about their readings likes, dislikes and habits, with fascinating results. Joe writes about his favourite author Patrick Ness, Daniil recommends Pierce Brown, Ella was captivated by Sylvia Plath and Ewen raves about Ready, Player, One.

Speaking of raving, if you’re interested in unique, quality international YA, check out five recent YA books I loved. If you’re particularly partial to #ownvoices YA, I recommend When Dimple Met Rishi, Outrun the Moon and The Hate U Give – all featured in this post.

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE READINGS YOUNG ADULT BOOK PRIZE

The winner of this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize is The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon.

This is the first year we have awarded the prize, which considers first and second works of young adult fiction and memoir, and Fraillon’s timely, gutsy and gorgeously written book is a fitting winner for our inaugural year. As winner of the Prize, Fraillon was awarded $3000.

The Bone Sparrow takes us into the world of 10-year-old Subhi, a Rohingyar refugee born in a detention centre. Subhi finds hope, curiosity and friendship in hopeless circumstances, but his optimism is challenged by worsening conditions in the camp.

Our judging panel of Readings staff were moved by Fraillon’s powerful and compassionate storytelling and our guest judge, author Lili Wilkinson spoke highly of it, saying that this is ‘one of those books that never really leaves you’. You can read more about the Prize and Fraillon’s win here.

MIFF FOR TEENS

This year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) kicks off this Friday, 3 August. The 2017 program presents two streams for a youth audience. MIFF Kids is a program of films for all ages at family-friendly times on the weekends. MIFF Schools brings together an array of high quality, diverse and age appropriate films in languages most commonly taught in Victorian schools.

We put together a list of all the films that are on offer for kids and teens (with recommended age levels) here.

YA EVENTS IN JUNE

Don’t miss two exciting LoveOzYA launches this month.

Prolific spec-fic author Michael Pryor’s new book is Gap Year in Ghost Town, a smart, snappy, funny and scary ghost-hunting adventure. Come along to the launch at 6.30pm on Thursday, 17 August, at Readings Kids. This event is free, no booking required.

Awesome award-winning triple combo – Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood – have come together to write Take Three Girls, an honest, raw and funny novel of friendship, feminism, identity and belonging. Come along to the launch at 1.30pm on Sunday 27 August, at Readings Hawthorn. This event is free, no booking required.

Leanne Hall