We have a number of exciting new releases from local authors this month, including our Book of the Month — the debut novel from author Miranda Luby, which is a contemporary story about feminism, family, and a whole lot more.

We also have the new novel from beloved author Barry Jonsberg; a novel that looks at the issue of child trafficking in Indonesia, and an LGBTQIA+ story about the challenges of being in a boy band. If those all sound too real, then you might prefer a story set on an ocean liner stuck at sea for 40 years due to the threat of a virus, whose inhabitants are getting extremely rebellious.

Find our children’s roundup here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over by Miranda Luby

Sadie Starr attempts to leave her old self behind, but life at her new school proves starting over is more complicated than it sounds. At her new school she meets glamorous Alexa and her pink-badged girl gang, on a mission to ‘support women’, and outcast Jack, who the girls say has been stalking fellow student Loz. But Loz has a different story, one that changes everything.

Our reviewer Lucie says: ‘Powerful and engaging, Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over explores performative feminism, #MeToo, eating disorders, bullying, family dynamics and grief.’ Read her full review here.

A contemporary novel for ages 14 and up.

EXCITING NEW YA THIS MONTH

The Hidden Girl by Louise Bassett

Within the pages of a stolen diary, Melati discovers a coded cry for help – the diary belongs to Devi, an Indonesian teenager who is being held by traffickers.

Mel races across the island of Java and against the clock to work out Devi’s identity and where she’s being held. Before long the pieces fall into place and Mel must put her own life on the line to save a girl she’s never met.

A thriller with a conscience for ages 14 and up.

A Little Spark by Barry Jonsberg

Cate gets to spend every second weekend with her dad, and each time something special and surprising happens. Something that fires the creative spark that Cate channels into her writing.

The arrangement works – until Cate’s stepdad, Sam, gets offered his dream job in London … and her mum decides they are going to move to England with him. Cate must decide what she wants for herself. She loves both her parents – but she must choose between them. A novel full of unexpected twists and turns, joy and heartbreak.

A story of complicated families for ages 12 and up.

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels

Welcome to the Arcadia. Once a luxurious cruise ship, now it is home to the stranded. For forty years, they have lived, and died, on the water. A place of extreme haves and have-nots, gangs and make-shift shelters, its people are tyrannized by a country they can see but can’t get to. A country that says it doesn’t want them.

Esther is a loyal citizen, working flat-out for a rare chance to live a life on land. Nik is a rebel, intent on liberating the Arcadia once and for all. Together, they will change the future.

An exciting, dystopian thriller for readers aged 13 and up.

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram

A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be queer in the public eye.

Hunter never expected to be a boy band star, but here he is. Hunter is the only gay member of the band, and he just had a very painful breakup with his first boyfriend - leaked sexts, public heartbreak, and all - and now everyone expects him to play the perfect queer role model for teens. But being the perfect queer isn’t easy for Hunter, or anyone.

A swoonworthy LGBTQIA+ romance for readers 13 and up.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

• The Melbourne Writers Festival program has been announced and a number of exciting events with young adult authors, including a digital conversation with international superstar Alice Oseman, are being held on Saturday, September 10. Find out more here.
• September new release and winner of the Text Prize, Dancing Barefoot is being launched at Readings Kids on September 7. Find out more here.