Intruder by Christine Bongers
What’s it about?
Kat Jones is awoken by an intruder in her bedroom, who attempts to assault her. When she screams, her next-door neighbour and deceased mother’s best friend, Edwina, comes to her rescue. But since her mother’s death, Kat has hated Edwina and refused to be in her company. Her father works nights and he no longer wants Kat to be alone, so he gives her an ultimatum: stay with Edwina, or look after Edwina’s ugly new dog, Hercules. Kat chooses the dog, meets friends at the dog park, and begins reluctant communication with Edwina. Then it becomes clear the intruder hasn’t finished with her...
Who’s it for?
This is another YA title, but aimed at a younger readership I think. Around 12-15 year olds.
Would I recommend it?
It's hard for me to judge titles in this age group, as I don't read enough of them to know what standard I'm comparing against. I think this was well-written and had good characters. It was an engaging (and simple) plot but with fairly predictable twists, and I found the pacing dragged, especially for something with a title and cover that implies it will be more of a thriller than a coming-of-age story.
Would I teach it?
It might be suitable for an introductory novel study in years 7 or 8, discussing basic ideas of story, characters, the rise and fall of tension etc. Random House does supply teaching notes here. I wasn't as inspired as I have been by other books this year, but I also haven't found many others that fit nicely into that age category - which results in a lot of younger classes reading Middle Grade books and short American fantasy novels.
Final Thoughts
A very quick google tells me that the author Christine Bongers, has written three or four other YA and children's books and received several awards. If you do decide to teach this, she has a website that is updated quite regularly and does author talks and writing workshops in Queensland. Again, the #loveOzYa hashtag offered me suggestions for something new to read and this was on one of their "if you like [popular US title], you'll love [alternative Aussie title]" posters.
What’s it about?
Kat Jones is awoken by an intruder in her bedroom, who attempts to assault her. When she screams, her next-door neighbour and deceased mother’s best friend, Edwina, comes to her rescue. But since her mother’s death, Kat has hated Edwina and refused to be in her company. Her father works nights and he no longer wants Kat to be alone, so he gives her an ultimatum: stay with Edwina, or look after Edwina’s ugly new dog, Hercules. Kat chooses the dog, meets friends at the dog park, and begins reluctant communication with Edwina. Then it becomes clear the intruder hasn’t finished with her...
Who’s it for?
This is another YA title, but aimed at a younger readership I think. Around 12-15 year olds.
Would I recommend it?
It's hard for me to judge titles in this age group, as I don't read enough of them to know what standard I'm comparing against. I think this was well-written and had good characters. It was an engaging (and simple) plot but with fairly predictable twists, and I found the pacing dragged, especially for something with a title and cover that implies it will be more of a thriller than a coming-of-age story.
Would I teach it?
It might be suitable for an introductory novel study in years 7 or 8, discussing basic ideas of story, characters, the rise and fall of tension etc. Random House does supply teaching notes here. I wasn't as inspired as I have been by other books this year, but I also haven't found many others that fit nicely into that age category - which results in a lot of younger classes reading Middle Grade books and short American fantasy novels.
Final Thoughts
A very quick google tells me that the author Christine Bongers, has written three or four other YA and children's books and received several awards. If you do decide to teach this, she has a website that is updated quite regularly and does author talks and writing workshops in Queensland. Again, the #loveOzYa hashtag offered me suggestions for something new to read and this was on one of their "if you like [popular US title], you'll love [alternative Aussie title]" posters.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
What’s it about?
The politics and bullying between the school mums begins at the start of kindergarten. Newcomer and single mum Jane befriends Madeline and Celeste, but when Jane's son is accused of physically hurting another child, the three women find themselves in a kind of war with another mother and her supporters. Tension seems to culminate at the school trivia night, where someone is killed. But as the story follows each of the women and their secrets, it becomes clear that the behaviour of some adults is much, much worse than their children.
Who’s it for?
This is that bestselling genre-defying category that we tend to call "mainstream" or "contemporary" and aren't quite comfortable calling "literary" even though it deals with some important social issues and themes. Because the story mostly follows women, it is probably marketed as "women's fiction".
Would I recommend it?
Yes, I loved this and will definitely be reading more of Liane Moriarty's work. The voice is light and quirky which really helps to comment on some intense themes without becoming depressing. The "who killed whom" question that pulled me in became secondary to the characters' lives by the end, as they were all flawed, likeable and easy to empathise with.
Would I teach it?
No, it's not really classroom appropriate. There aren't graphic or R-rated scenes, but the overall story and characters are designed to appeal to people in a different stage of life. It centres around issues that teens are unlikely to relate to yet, at least not from this perspective.
Final Thoughts
Part of my intention with this year's challenge was to find some new, locally grown authors to read and recommend, and I've definitely done that. As the year has gone on, however, I'm finding myself sharing the YA side of these blogs with more people. I realise that the "would I teach it" question naturally skews what I'm doing towards more YA titles. I did love Big Little Lies, but I may be telling the wrong people about it! Maybe it's time for a goodreads account.
What’s it about?
The politics and bullying between the school mums begins at the start of kindergarten. Newcomer and single mum Jane befriends Madeline and Celeste, but when Jane's son is accused of physically hurting another child, the three women find themselves in a kind of war with another mother and her supporters. Tension seems to culminate at the school trivia night, where someone is killed. But as the story follows each of the women and their secrets, it becomes clear that the behaviour of some adults is much, much worse than their children.
Who’s it for?
This is that bestselling genre-defying category that we tend to call "mainstream" or "contemporary" and aren't quite comfortable calling "literary" even though it deals with some important social issues and themes. Because the story mostly follows women, it is probably marketed as "women's fiction".
Would I recommend it?
Yes, I loved this and will definitely be reading more of Liane Moriarty's work. The voice is light and quirky which really helps to comment on some intense themes without becoming depressing. The "who killed whom" question that pulled me in became secondary to the characters' lives by the end, as they were all flawed, likeable and easy to empathise with.
Would I teach it?
No, it's not really classroom appropriate. There aren't graphic or R-rated scenes, but the overall story and characters are designed to appeal to people in a different stage of life. It centres around issues that teens are unlikely to relate to yet, at least not from this perspective.
Final Thoughts
Part of my intention with this year's challenge was to find some new, locally grown authors to read and recommend, and I've definitely done that. As the year has gone on, however, I'm finding myself sharing the YA side of these blogs with more people. I realise that the "would I teach it" question naturally skews what I'm doing towards more YA titles. I did love Big Little Lies, but I may be telling the wrong people about it! Maybe it's time for a goodreads account.
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