Kathryn's Inbox

Click is a graphic novel about a popular girl who is trying to find her place. Olive is a floater. She has lots of friends--there is the kids from her neighbourhood, the kids she sits with at lunch, the kids she hangs out with at recess. Making friends has never been a problem--Olive clicks with everyone. Then, one day at school, the teacher announces that her grade is going to be taking part in a variety show. All of the other kids are dividing themselves into groups and they're planning their acts for the show ... acts that don't include Olive. Suddenly Olive has no one to talk to, or hang out with anymore. Until she finds, and implements, a clever solution. This was a fun read about friendship. It was interesting to read a story of changing friendships that was from the perspective of a kid who has lots of friends and has never had trouble fitting in before--usually these stories focus on shy, sensitive kids and, consequently, we can forget that other types of kids, even th

Adelaide author Sophie Gonzales is back with another fun and thought-provoking YA romance. This time around we are introduced to Ivy. Sixteen year old Ivy has the house to herself for a week as her parents are away on a business trip. Although she is a little apprehensive about being on her own, she's looking forward to spending time with her best friend Henry, writing some fan fiction and the opportunity for her and Henry to binge watch their favourite television show. She's also planning to avoid Mack, her former best friend and now sworn enemy, who lives next door and has been asked to keep out an eye. Things get complicated however, when suddenly Ivy finds the main character from her fan fiction in her bedroom. He's perfect, or so it seems, and totally in love with her. But as the week goes on, Ivy finds that Weston is far from perfect and he won't leave her alone. She's going to need some help working this one out and the people best positioned to help her migh

The Kiss is a story of family, betrayal and, ultimately redemption. When Maddison turns eighteen, she discovers the true identity of her mysterious father--and wealthy and older man who is married with three sons and who had a brief fling with her mother in New York. He has always paid for her upkeep, but when he and Maddison meet up for lunch it is intended to be a brief meeting so that both can acknowledge the other, Maddison can discover her family roots and Robert can go back to his family and get on with his life. Life has other plans and when Robert finds himself getting along well with Maddison, he soon realises that the best way forward is to come clean with his wife and sons. Fortunately, his family all accept the situation and a little way down the track Maddison is invited on a family holiday. It is there that Maddison meets Robert's oldest son Jack, and bit by bit, things start to come unstuck. The pair know that they are getting along a little too well--as does Blythe

Heart wrenching and uniquely Australian Jasper Jones takes an intimate glimpse at small town life, prejudice and the difference between doing what is expected and doing what is right. The year is 1965. Thirteen year old Charlie Bucktin is woken one night by the mysterious Jasper Jones. A rebellious kid of mixed race, Jasper is an outcast in their small town in Western Australia and often blamed for any wrongdoing or goings on in the town. Intrigued as to why Jasper would want his attention, Charlie follows him to a remote spot out of town where they find a body. Over the course of an unforgiving Australian summer, Charlie finds himself questioning more and more about the town he has grown up in, and the people. He will also face bullying, an abusive parent with a dark secret and witness some terrible racial prejudice. It is a summer that will change him--and his friend Jasper--forever. As I said at the start of my review, this is a heart wrenching book. Every aspect of small town preju