Young adult fiction
ASH ARISING by Mandy Hager, Penguin Random House
Ash McCarthy’s exposure of government corruption in his father’s murder didn’t bring the UN intervention he expected. Arrested on trumped-up charges, his friends plan a dramatic rescue and Ash’s call for peaceful protests snowballs. A nail-biting thriller, this sequel to the award-winning The Nature of Ash is a celebration of people, power and the fight for democracy. Ages 14+.
CATCH ME WHEN YOU FALL by Eileen Merriman, Penguin Random House
The day Alex’s leukaemia returns, she meets Jamie. They click instantly, but they can snatch only a few precious moments together amid all their medical procedures. Jamie is bipolar and his actions impact terribly on Alex just as she is facing her toughest time. Beautifully written and compassionate, this nails the emotional trauma of frail teenagers living in a bubble. Ages 14+.
LYLA by Fleur Beale, Allen & Unwin
Lyla, 13, is hanging out with friends when the Christchurch earthquake rips her life apart. Rallying the neighbours, the resourceful teenager organises clean-ups, distributes food and helps look after younger children. But with close friends leaving and familiar landscapes disappearing, how long can she hold it together? A heartfelt account that puts a very human face on the consequences of disaster. Ages 12+.
A SONG ONLY I CAN HEAR by Barry Jonsberg, Allen & Unwin
Rob Fitzgerald, 13, has acute panic attacks, so how can he make new girl Destry notice him? Anonymous texts challenging him to break out of his comfort zone might just help. Relationships are pivotal to this story, including that of Rob and his foul-mouthed Pop, and their conversations are hilarious. Perceptive, with a kicker of an ending, this contains LGBTQI themes. Ages 12+.
IMPOSTORS by Scott Westerfeld, Allen & Unwin
Frey is the secret body double for her famous twin sister Rafia and was raised to protect her or else take the bullet. When their dictator father uses Frey as collateral in a deal that goes wrong, she has to decide whether she can trust the son of her father’s rival. This action-packed sci-fi drama, the first of a new series, is full of intrigue, rebellion and romance. For ages 13+.