Today’s guest is Aussie author Kathy Charles with her new book “Hollywood Ending”.

• You were the recipient of a Varuna scholarship with Peter Bishop, can you tell us a little of how that helped you develop as a writer? Would you recommend it to others?

I was fortunate enough to be a recipient of the Varuna Harper Collins Award for Manuscript Development in 2007, however the novel I was working on at the time was ultimately never published. Staying at Varuna gave me the validation I was desperately craving, that someone felt like my writing might actually go somewhere and was worth investing time and effort in. Varuna also has a fantastic reputation, and got my work looked at by more people in the publishing industry. One of the best aspects of staying at Varuna is being given the opportunity to become part of the Alumni program. The Alumni community are so generous and supportive and run a fantastic blog site that I recommend to all writers (http://varunathewritershouse.wordpress.com/).

* Your story is quite dark at times, and follows two characters who have an obsession with hollywood stars (the dead kind), have you ever stalked a dead celebrity like they do? Or if you haven’t who would you stalk if you could? (promise we won’t tell the authorities)

I have a bit of an obsession with John Belushi, who died of a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont in 1982. John Belushi was a famous comedian who started his career on Saturday Night Live, then went on to star in films like Animal House and The Blues Brothers. He was going to play the Bill Murray role in Ghostbusters when he died, and it’s rumored that the character of ‘Slimer’ was largely modeled on Belushi and his hard-partying ways. On my last trip to LA I got to see the room at the Chateau Marmont where he died, and in ‘Hollywood Ending’ the characters have a party in this room in Belushi’s honor. He was only thirty-three when he died, and his death had a massive effect on a generation who had grown to idolize him.

* Hank and Hilda hit it off as if they were old friends, which at first seemed strange because most teens I know aren’t at ease around the elderly, the friendship they form is refreshing where did your

Taken from The Age newspaper

inspiration come from?

I’ve always been interested in tales of ‘unlikely’ friendships: relationships between two people who on the surface appear to have nothing in common but end up connecting on a deeper level. One of my favorite movies is ‘Harold & Maude’, a love story about a teenage boy and a woman in her 80s. ‘Ghost World’ is another movie that features an unlikely friendship between a teen girl who is into punk and a man twice her age who collects gospel records. Hank and Hilda at first glance have little in common, but as the story goes on we discover they are both harboring terrible secrets about their pasts, and are desperate to connect with someone who understands their pain. There is a need in human beings to connect that transcends gender and age.

* Do you ever act out any scenes as you are writing them just to see if they add up? Which would be your favorite scene to do if you haven’t?

I work in the film industry so I often visualize my novels as movies, complete with opening credits and a soundtrack. I’ve actually visited many of the locations mentioned in ‘Hollywood Ending’, like the L.A. County Coroner’s Office, Marilyn Monroe’s crypt, and the site of the Twilight Zone Movie accident. In the novel Hank and Hilda go to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery to watch a movie, something I have never done before but would love to do. They run movies there during the summer and people bring blankets and fold-out chairs and sit amongst the gravestones, watching horror movies like The Shining and Suspiria. It sounds creepy but it’s meant to be a lot of fun.

* What advice would you give teens who are in the middle of writing their first Great Australian Literary debut novel?

Write what you are passionate about. Writing a novel takes a very long time and an enormous amount of dedication, and you have to live with that same story for months, even years. If you are successful in having your novel published, that story will be with you forever, so it’s important that whatever you write about is important to you. Don’t try to write what you think will get you published or what the latest trends are. Vampire novels might be hot at the moment but that could all change tomorrow. A lot of people thought I was really weird for writing about dead celebrities, but it’s an area I am really passionate about, and since ‘Hollywood Ending’ came out I’ve found plenty of like-minded people who are fascinated by exactly the same thing (there are still plenty of people who think I’m weird, though!).

* How has becoming a published author changed you?

When you’re unpublished you think if you could just get that one book published everything in your life will finally be okay. Then, when your book is published, you find a whole heap of other things to worry about, like if it’s selling well, if the stores are stocking it, how much publicity you are getting etc. You get to a point where it all becomes a bit overwhelming, and that’s when you realize that all that stuff doesn’t really matter, that it’s the actual process of writing that’s important and enjoyable. I’m starting to rediscover that joy again, but for a while I was really distracted by things that were superfluous.

* What story are you working on now?

I’m working on a manuscript about people who collect serial killer art, then after that, I don’t know. I’m eager to start writing in a different medium, perhaps a screenplay. I like the idea that in a feature film your characters can come to life in a way they don’t on the page. I’d love to write something in the horror genre, but I’d also love to write something about rock n roll mythology. But I’m still in that dreamy state where I’m waiting for the story to come along and convince me it has to be written. Until then I’ll just space out in front of Beatles Rockband.

Thanks so much for being part of our blog today. Kathy’s book is available at all good book stores.

So we’ve discussed Destiny and Karma. So how about Magic? I read a great definition once about magic(which incidentally I looked up but couldn’t find ) and I believe it was by Dion Fortune (but I could be wrong??!!) that defined magic as “The art of changing conciousness at will”

Which made me think about what happens when I sit down at the computer (or note-book or even when I’m just off in my own universe visualising a scene out of my characters lives) it’s as though time in the so-called “real world” has stopped altogether and I am elsewhere in some other realm creating lives in parallel universes or totally different universes, spinning, weaving ,controlling what occurs . In a sense, I control that universe or at least play Destiny myself. I create the destiny, the serendipity, the karma for my world within. It sure feels like magic.

On the oppposite side , it’s just as much a change in conciousness when I’m reading. Again, I’m transported but this time as an observer,or even as a friend, if I really love the book and it’s characters. I can be as refreshed when I return from this elsewhere as if I’ve been asleep or on holidays ( or sometimes as drained as if I’ve just climbed a mountain…..)

What do you all think?Is reading and writing a form of magic? Can it change your conciousness? How does it work for you?

This week at weloveya it’s all about destiny and so I thought I’d talk about karma. I’m a big fan of karma, unfortunately, because I’m quite spiritually un-evolved, I have trust issues. And while in theory I’m quite happy to let good old karma deal with all the horrible people in the world (especially the ones who are cut me off when they are driving their cars)  in reality I would sort of like to see some results. Which is why I propose that our governments start funding a Karma Police Force.

I mean how awesome would that be? We just call up and say. ‘Officer, I would like to report a crime. Yesterday at 10.05 the supermarket clerk was really mean to me and not only did she give me the evil eye, but she over-charged me for my M&Ms, and since M&M over-charging is a recognized crime, I would very much like you to screw up her karma.’

Of course this wouldn’t be the end of it, oh, no, no, no. Perhaps two weeks later the Karma Police would show you a link to a youtube clip so that you could quite clearly see the above mentioned supermarket clerk getting her karma comeuppance.

See, I told you it would be awesome! And that’s just for supermarket clerks. Imagine being able to see ex-boyfriends who done-you-wrong getting their slice of karamic payback? Or the horrible teachers who told you that were crap at English and wouldn’t amount to much getting bitch-slapped by the karma boys in blue.

So what do we think? Karma Police a good idea? Or should we rise above it and trust that the Universe will sort it all out on its own? 

 

 

 

 

 

BEATLE MEETS DESTINY – Gabrielle Williams

When a boy named John ‘Beatle’ Lennon meets a girl named Destiny McCartney, it’s gotta be fate, right? He’s sensitive; she’s fiercely artistic. He’s a little reserved; she’s way more daring. But together they fit together like piano keys. Ebony and ivory… (Ooops, that was McCartney and Jackson’s song, wasn’t it?) There’s just one problem—Beatle already has a girlfriend, a beautiful saint of a girl who stuck by him in sickness and in health. Is it really destiny if it means other people get hurt?

Gabrielle Williams conversational style made me care so much for Beatle and Destiny that I felt like reaching into the pages to save Beatle and Destiny from committing fatal mistakes. At the same time, I egged them on to see just how far they’d go.

BEATLE MEETS DESTINY is Williams’s second book—her first YA. Offbeat, poignant and funny, it’s full of secrets that just can’t and won’t stay hidden.

Now it’s your destiny to meet Gabrielle Williams.

Gabrielle, how did the story come about? Did you set out to write a YA?

No. In fact I started out with a completely different book, different characters, and a different plot. And then I started tinkering. And someone suggested maybe I make the characters a bit younger because it seemed to suit my style of writing. And I channeled my inner immature self (which is never far from the surface, let’s be honest), and threw my two main characters together with a kiss at the end of the first chapter, and then added an extra girlfriend, a stalker, a stolen tapestry, a teacher/student romance, some superstitions, astrology, feng shui and a kooky mother and it all kind of kicked along from there.

The advice “murder your darlings” is often given to writers who are far too forgiving and nice to their characters. Did you have to force yourself to let Beatle and Destiny face consequences for their actions, or did you gleefully give them up?

Oh, no. I’m quite a cruel parent. I was perfectly happy to hang my characters out to dry, and then have the crows pick over their innards while they were still alive. In fact, one of my favourite scenes in the book is near the end when everything comes crashing down around Beatle’s ears – unkind? Yes. Gleeful? Definitely.

Your secondary plots involving family and friends meshed so well together and complemented the main story. Do you have any advice for writers on dealing with subplots?

I’m in the middle of writing my next book at the moment, and I think the trick with subplots is not to worry about them too much until you’ve gotten at least one full draft of the main story down. Then, once you’ve got some words on the page, you can start fiddling around, adding layers, giving secondary characters storylines, and tying the whole thing up in complicated knots with subplots.

Congrats on snaffling a film option for your book! Who do you see in the lead roles?

Hm. Haven’t really thought about it until now, but it’s a good question. I think maybe Beatle could be played by George Clooney, and Destiny could be played by me. No, I don’t think we’re both too old to play teenagers – a little make-up and some soft lighting and no-one would be any the wiser.

Superstition plays a big part in Beatle Meets Destiny. The acting world is full of superstitions, but have you heard of any for the publishing industry? (Please don’t mention black cats, because I have one and he crosses my path at least thirteen times a day.)

The main one I’ve heard is never write a book while you’re sitting under a ladder with a broken mirror hanging on the wall beside you and a black cat crossing back and forth in front of you. Otherwise, we’re a pretty unsuperstitious lot in the writing industry.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Gabrielle!

We have a copy of Beatle Meets Destiny to give away. Just post a comment on fate, destiny or superstitions and you’re in the draw. The winner will be anointed next week.

Tania Roxborogh has taught high school English for over 20 years and throughout that time has developed a love of all things Shakespeare, so it’s only fitting then that she write a novel continuing on the support players lives after Macbeth has been defeated. I received this book in the mail last week and once I started reading found it very hard to put down. I’m not one who can sit through an entire Shakespearean work and not go “what are they on about” at least once or twice. The language Tania uses and her style of throwing her characters into dangers untold and castles unnumbered, well, it’s riveting. Tania agreed to come over today from New Zealand and answer a few of my pesky questions.

• Shakespeare is hard for many teenagers to come to grips with, the language seems to lose at least half the usual English class before the first act is finished. So how then have you been able to write such a great novel and yet kept quite close to Shakespeare’s characters?

Firstly, I would argue that, the way I teach Shakespeare, none of my kids get lost. I’ve presented a few times to English teachers about really effective ways of introducing Shakespeare (and his language) to students and I think I get it right.

You’ve hit on the key thing, though. It’s all about the characters. Harold Bloom argues in his book Shakespeare: the invention of the human that all personality types were nailed by Shakespeare; that he looked around at people and created characters which were recognisable. I will often ask a roomful of teachers this question: which Shakespeare character do you think you are (sounds like a Face Book quiz). Me, I’m Macduff: emotional, loyal, incredibly faithful and far too trusting but with enough guts to fight to the end. Why mess with what Shakespeare’s already started. Although I don’t think my Donalbain is what he had in mind.

• Banquo’s Son is a tale of revenge, loss, love and respect, set in medieval Scotland ten years after Macbeth’s disastrous reign. Can you tell us a little of the type of research you had to do to get the novel historically and geographically correct.

It’s hard finding information about 11^th century Scotland because there’s so little written. I have a book which outlines the kings from England and Scotland before and after the time I’m writing; my brother-in-law John Roxborogh is a retired theologian and a world expert in Scottish church history – he gave me this amazing resource: an historical atlas of Scotland from around 400 AD till about the 1600s. It has things like where roads were, churches, thanages, forests! And towns etc. Very cool.

I watched Polanski’s film ‘Macbeth’ because, even though it was filmed in Wales, the costumes and food and castles were deemed to be pretty authentic. I also bought a huge map of Scotland which I have on my wall. I asked lots of experts like my daughter’s riding instructor about things such as ‘how far can a horse travel in a day?’

Mainly, though, I kept the story to the fore and ‘coloured in’ parts when I needed to by going searching. A friend of mine from northern England became my ‘researcher’ and would happily trawl through stuff to answer questions like ‘did they use soap?’ (yes they did), ‘were there potatoes?’ (no, there wasn’t), and one of my students is involved in medieval combat and was able to give me heaps of detail about using a claymore

• You wove a great many morals into this story which at first are hidden by the action, was that a conscious thing?

I actually think it’s the wisdom of the bard. Because I’ve been teaching Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets for over twenty years, I have so much of his ‘advice’ floating around in my head. Here’s an excerpt from Bloodlines (book 2) in which Fleance’s house guest (brother in law to William of Normandy (who will become William the conqueror) is giving the young king some unwelcome advice. Can you recognise which play it comes from?

Henri smirked and raised his goblet. ‘Si vous insistez,’ he muttered, drinking deeply. ‘Mais, you are a young man and you are a young king. This, as you say, was all thrust upon you. Mon papa would often tell us that some men are born great, whether that be in status or holiness; some achieve greatness, through great feats or overcoming adversity, and some, which he considered the poorest of the three, have greatness thrust upon them – often unprepared and ill-equipped.’

All the food had been eaten but Henri continued to lick his finger and stab at the crumbs and small remains. He did not look at the king when he spoke but there was something in his tone which warned the young sovereign to listen. ‘I care little for your tantrums.’ He paused and the weight of his words cleared the room of humour and warmth.  Fleance at once felt his face flush hot with shame and then indignation. How dare he…?

Henri interrupted his thoughts. ‘But, I do like you and I do not believe, even in the short time I have been living here, you are neither unprepared nor ill-equipped.’ Henri looked up and stared hard at the king. ‘You are royal. And, you have lived the life of a peasant. You are intelligent, healthy and strong and a most fierce soldier if the reports are to be half believed. Avoir plus de foi. Have more faith, oui?’

Henri’s advice comes from the comedy 12^th Night (Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them) when Maria has played a trick on Malvoleo.

As to it being a ‘conscious thing’, the characters seem to have their own guiding lights, if you will. Margaret, for example, is very wise although her advice at the end about the three types of love was told to me by a Y12 student (your Y11) years ago. Such wisdom from such a young lady.

• You brought the three witches directly into this story, did you ever sit there at your computer and try a cackle or two? Recite any lines while you tapped away? ‘Bubble, bubble, boil and trouble’ type thing?

No but they’re creepy eh? I did work hard on the prophecies – very hard. They needed to be like ones in ‘Macbeth’ with that ambiguity

• What advice would you give teens who are trying their hand at writing?

Get into a writing group of like minded people. Read books on writing (I recommend Bird by Bird by Annie Lamott). Read the types of books you want to write; poems; short stories. And, this advice from my website: What I have found necessary, apart from talent, is the need to persevere with the actual task of writing as well as the beauty of what is being created. Just like pregnancy, a story or poem is conceived but needs time to incubate in the womb (your mind) and then grow and develop (birth and the rest). Don’t be in too much of a hurry. The best works come when time is given for them to live, breathe, be.

• Now I note that you’ve got a sequel or two planned, can you share with us a little of how you write your stories?

Manically. Sometimes, I have the whole story in my head and write out a synopsis and maybe even a chapter breakdown. Other times, I just have a scene or a character and a sense that there is a story to explore and off I go to investigate. As I teach full time, I tend to write in the weekends and during school holidays although, when I’m right into a story, I may get up in the middle of the night to write. When I am doing the business, I aim for 1000 words a day even if it’s not great stuff. I don’t necessarily write chronologically – usually the strongest scenes get written. I type straight onto the computer. I touch type and type as fast as I can talk slowly.

• And the last but not least question – have you finished the next one yet? No pressure, just you know, Fleance, Rachel, Rosie…. need to know these things and all that.

Grin – yes, I’m getting pressure. I’ve completed 27,000 words so far of the anticipate 120,000. Here’s the opening of chapter one: He looked asleep not dead. Paler but, apart from a blueness of his lips, looked to be dreaming.

Thanks again for stopping by our blog. Tania is published in Australia by Penguin and her book is available now.

The book Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher was recently sent to me for review,  and as it is Big Issues week at We Love YA, it was a perfect time to read the book.  There is no bigger issue than teen suicide, and the people that are left behind are often left wondering why: what went wrong, what they could have done to prevent it.  In this compelling story, Hannah Baker records a series of cassette tapes before she ends her life — the tapes tell the thirteen reasons why.

Here are thirteen reasons why you should read this book:

1. The book opens after our main protagonist Clay has listened to Hannah’s tapes and he is waiting at the post office to send them to the next person (the next reason) listed on the tapes. “But I never want to hear those tapes again, though her voice will never leave my head.” It’s a compelling and tense opening that immediately draws the reader in. I wanted to hear exactly what Clay had heard.

2.  There is a dual narrative running throughout the book as Clay listens to Hannah’s tapes. The first narrative is that of  Hannah explaining the circumstances that led  to her decision to end her life, in past tense. The second narrative thread is Clay’s thoughts, in the present, as he listens to the tapes. This immediacy aligns the reader with Clay.

3. The character of Clay is well-rounded and I related well to him, drawn into his anxiety, wondering why he had received the package, what he’d done to Hannah to contribute to her death and it was both a relief and a burden to find out why he was named.

4. The story gives a realistic depiction of teen life seen through both Hannah and Clay’s perspective: including rumours, bullying, peer pressure.

5. Have you ever felt your life is out of control?  I know I have. I can relate to some of what Hannah went through, even in my early twenties.  I think this section sums it up nicely.

“Like driving along a bumpy road and losing control of the steering wheel, tossing you — just a tad — off the road. The wheels kick up some dirt, but you’re able to pull it back. Yet no matter how tightly you grip the wheel, no matter how hard you try to drive straight, something keeps jerking you to the side. You have so little control over anything anymore. And at some point, the struggle becomes too much — too tiring — and you consider letting go. Allowing tragedy…or whatever…to happen.”

I’m glad I never let go.

6. The story stays with you. It’s five days since I finished reading, and most of it was read in one sitting, and I’m still thinking about Hannah and Clay.

7. There is a high suicide rate amongst teens. Often the real story never gets out. The local papers report their death as a tragic accident. Awareness and prevention are needed.  This book gives context to one girl’s story, thirteen reasons why, without sensationalism.

8. There are times when you need to step back from the fantasy world of vampires and witches, and instead consider the real-life demons that haunt teenagers – peer pressure, bullying, competitiveness, loneliness.  Teenagers read the other books as a kind of escape, but sometimes it helps to read a story such as Thirteen Reasons Why to realise that they’re not alone, or how their behaviour may be affecting others.

9.  Look around – maybe there’s a ‘Hannah in your class.’  Reach out to her.

10. Or maybe you are ‘Hannah.’  Let someone in.

11. Often we don’t think about the consequences of our actions, or even our words. We don’t think about the consequences of what we did, or what we didn’t do.  But as Hannah says, “Everything affects everything.”

12. You’re a teen. You’re a parent. You’re a teacher. Read it.

13. The ending. Thirteen Reasons Why was gut-wrenching and I read the book almost straight through, tense all the way. Along with Clay, I knew that there was no way that Hannah could be saved. The decision and the act was already complete. But the story ended with hope for the future, and I loved that hope could shine through in such a dark subject.

You can find more information about the book on the 13 Reasons Why website, or on Jay Asher’s blog.

 

…and not just issues, an entire subscription.

This is a popular statement around my household. My younger sister always muddles it up and says I don’t just have ‘episodes, I have an entire series’. She’s funny like that.

But in all seriousness, what merit do issue-based teen novels have? Are they important to teens learning valuable lessons? Or do teenagers in books dealing with things like pregnancy and suicide just corrupt our youth, as some overly-keen book banners may argue?

Well, no. I disagree. And they’re not all about lessons, either.

Everyone accuses books for teenagers of having too many moral themes, so many issues, things like underage drinking and sex and the like, things that are just authors trying to teach teenagers lesson, or, worse, suggesting things that teenagers shouldn’t even know of, let alone read about.

But here’s the thing: Books for teenagers often contain big issues because when you are a teenager, you are confronted with all number of things. It’s a time when you’re first starting to become a person really independent of your parents, and starting to work out your beliefs and boundaries on your own. Teenagers are confronted by issues tackled in books for them on a daily basis, and the gatekeepers of teenaged fiction (parents, teachers, librarians) may fear that they are exposing youth to things that they’re not ready for yet, when in fact these ‘big issue’ books, allow teens to explore themes like sex, drugs, etc and everything that comes with these things without having to experience it themselves. A book centralising around, for example, a boy’s recovery from depression, isn’t going to make a teenager depressed, but it just make them see they’re not alone, and enlighten them to ways they can deal with things.

In that way, almost all books for teenagers (those set in our reality, or at least not in an outlandish Lord of the Rings-esque world) are ‘big issue’ novels. Many YA novels deal with great, confronting things like suicide, teenage pregnancy, drug use, abuse. It’s important for teenagers to be able to identify with characters in novels, to relate, to know they’re not alone. Novels like these also allow teenagers to explore things that they might never experience, and get a sense of other people’s point of view. I think far too often people seeking to ban books say that they glorify teen sex or drug use – this is wrong. They don’t glorify; they give you context. Emotional detail. These things allow for brilliant novels, but also novels that educate, that change teenagers’ perspectives for the better.

- Steph Bowe
http://heyteenager.blogspot.com
http://stephbowe.com

In “The Big Issue” week at WLYA, we’re putting issue books under the microscope—stories that are as far from vamps, killer unicorns and faeries as you can get. In other words, books about reality that not only bites, but kicks, punches and scratches as well—teen pregnancy, dysfunctional families, addictions, death, weight battles, bullying. Novels about these issues and more have the power to help others reconcile their own similar problems, help them feel less alienated and alone.

Chicago author (and my brill CP) Stephanie Kuehnert is known for her raw, meaty stories about real life and tough choices. She recently mined her teenage past during the genesis of BALLADS OF SUBURBIA (MTV Books). In the novel, Kara’s fractured friendships and her parents’ imminent divorce send her into a tailspin. The façade of her normal suburban life slips, exposing unfathomable grief. It’s a theme that’s echoed in the real lives of countless people the world over. Everyone finds their own way, good or bad, of coping. For Kara, her deep sense of panic and pain is numbed by one thing—cutting. The act of scoring her flesh and seeing thick red blood ooze gives her a sense of calm and control. Emotional Novocaine, if you will.

Kara rationalises, “One more cut would cut would give me strength. It would drain the bad feelings… I knew it wasn’t a good thing, but I could cope.”

“Self-harm” and “suicide” are often linked, but cutting isn’t always about wanting to die. Not everyone cuts for the same reason or results. Ironically, some people do it to feel alive, or at the very least feel something other than emotional pain. Bloodletting can be a pressure release valve, an escape, a way to express anger. And it can become addictive. I get why some readers might be confused by the urge to cut, burn or mark your own skin. It’s even more confusing for those who do it. They might feel ashamed and freakish because cutting is their best coping mechanism. In BALLADS, Kara eventually turns to other mechanisms that almost lead to her destruction. It’s a powerful, moving novel that’s ultimately about survival.

Books, like music, can reach people emotionally. Have you ever read a story and related to it so well you thought the author could’ve written the book just for you? That it felt like they’d peeked into your diary and described every dark feeling you’ve ever had?

Choices – Dianne Wolfer

Elizabeth has to make the choice of her life.

Seventeen and pregnant: does she sacrifice her dreams for a baby, or do something she’s not sure she can live with? Under pressure from her parents, she’s juggling a boyfriend she’s not sure she can trust, a best friend she keeps pushing away and her own indecision. Something’s got to give. It’s the hardest year she’s ever faced — what choice will she make?

 

Choices tackles a big issue. huge. Teen pregnancy is one of those taboo themes that is often either romanticised or outright condemned and taboo-ed. But talking about abortion is an even bigger can of worms.

in this gripping tale of one teenager’s choice and the consequences resulting from it, we see two Elisabeths, Lizzy and Beth, who deal with their unexpected teen pregnancy in two different ways. one girl keeps the child, one gets an abortion.

But those are not the hard choices the girl finds herself making. Each decision leads to a chain of events that changes her life. Her family, her friends, her boyfriend, are all there to react, to pressure, or just to beg for a chance to be part of her life.

The strong, plain prose of the two girls’ voices will stay with you as you follow the two opposing tale. there is no “right” choice here, nor a wrong one. Each choice has challenges and joys and in the end, you may not feel uplifted, but you will feel like no matter how tough a blow life deals you, you’ll come out stronger and all right.

Even if you’ve never had to deal with this particular tough choice, you will be able to relate to the internal and external dilemmas of the story.

Talking about ‘issue’ books, I want to know. Do you like them? What makes them a good read rather than a moralising tale to you? And are there subjects you absolutely do not want to read about in your teen fiction?

Allow me to introduce Olly, 15, our guest blogger from Western Australia. He took up the challenge to review some “boy books” for us and really came through with the goods. Today, he has featured JARVIS 24 by David Metzenthen and SWERVE by Phillip Gwynne, both out now from Penguin Books.

JARVIS 24

Blurb

So far, Marc E. Jarvis has lost a white football boot, a school tie and a best friend. But there’s more in store for him when he completes Work Experience at a local car yard – where his world is truly rocked, shocked and shaken.

Then Marc meets Electra

And nothing will ever be the same again…

A story of true friends, crazed coaches, shooting stars and loves lost and found.

JARVIS 24 is a brilliantly written novel filled with loss, longing and sorrow. But also is filled with hope for what’s to come. This novel is a must-read for any guy who has ever had a girlfriend or lost one. Any guy who has tried to pick up girls using football would enjoy this novel, lots of failures and successes there. David Metzenthen deserves a huge slap on the back!

Blurb

Hugh’s future is all mapped out for him

NO BRAKING.
NO DETOURS.
NO STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS.

Just one slow straight road all the way to the horizon. Then Hugh meets Poppy. And Bella. And a HT Monaro GTS 350. And the ride starts to get bumpy. A funny, dark V8 of a novel that powers into the heart of the outback.

I thoroughly enjoyed SWERVE as it combines all the things I like best: girls, cars and road trips. SWERVE is a story about family togetherness in which forgiving and forgetting the past and believing someone can change can be the hardest thing to do. Hugh who is the main character finally becomes who he has been keeping hidden for years…a Holden lover. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks that their life is controlled by their parents.

Thanks, Olly!

I love Olly’s comment about SWERVE combining all the things he likes best. How about you? What elements do you like to see in a book?