I’m just going to get stuck into these recommendations today because there’s so much to be excited about with young adult fiction at the moment!
What happens when three of Australia’s most popular and critically-acclaimed authors come together to write a book? Take Three Girls by Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood ($13.95) is what happens! You can read the beginning over at the Pan Macmillan website. Tackling important subjects such as identity and belonging, this is a great novel that strikes the important balance between seriousness and levity.
I think this is the first time that a book I’ve written about during the year has made its way onto the Christmas guide and that’s because I think that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ($13.50) is a seminal work of young adult fiction. What’s it about? I’ll let Thomas herself describe:
Gather around, Rainbow Rowell fans. Her latest book is Almost Midnight ($15.95 – Hardcover) and is a gift edition of two previously published short stories (‘Midnights’ and ‘Kindred Spirits’). Rowell gives a preview of the beautiful illustrations by Simini Blocker on her website. I know short stories are hit-and-miss with some readers, but – and I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me – I’m certainly a big fan of them.
These final two books are arguably the most hotly anticipated titles of 2017. Turtles All The Way Down ($19.95 – Hardcover) is John Green’s first published novel since 2012’s massive worldwide smash The Fault in Our Stars.
The blurb goes:
Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred thousand dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.
Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
(Taken from the Penguin website)
I haven’t read it yet and the reviews I’ve seen have varied from enthusiastic to lukewarm, but I suspect none of them will matter to Green fans.
I have a confession: I haven’t read the ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy. And guess what? I’ve been told that it’s not a necessary prerequisite if I wanted to pick up La Belle Sauvage – The Book of Dust: Volume One by Philip Pullman ($22.95). Excellent news! If the price looks on the expensive side for what you’re wanting to pay, be assured – this is a big, fat novel to get lost in. Perfect holiday/summer fare.
If you have five free minutes, I recommend listening to Michael Sheen reading from it – but, hell, to be honest, I’d recommend listening to Michael Sheen read from anything.
What young adult fiction titles are you looking forward to reading or purchasing?
