Beautiful Mess

May 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-Ava's best friend Kelly has recently committed suicide, and Ava has no idea why. As she struggles with guilt over not being a better friend, she turns to Kelly's older brother Lincoln for comfort, but their sexual relationship only confuses them both. When Ava is expelled from her school for violence and obscene language, she spirals further, both emotionally and physically. Enter Gideon, a new employee at the Magic Kabob where she works. Gideon has depression and scars on his arms and legs where he has cut himself repeatedly, but he makes Ava laugh and feel like her old self again. The narrative is told in alternating points of view, and readers are soon aware that the relationship means something more to Gideon than it does to Ava. The characters are engaging, and their emotional struggles are palpable. Ava's sudden emotional twists reflect her inner turmoil and confusion, while the potential return of Gideon's depression looms over the entire novel. The teens come across as authentic, though their voices are minimally differentiated. There is considerable mature language and some mildly graphic sex authentic to the age group depicted. While the majority of the plot is dark and grim, support from caring adults and siblings brings about an ending that is realistic and hopeful. VERDICT Recommended for most public library young adult collections.-Katherine Koenig, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
Ava and Gideon are two wounded young people whose unexpected connection provokes the best and worst in each other in this witty Australian import.Ava is mourning the loss of her best friend, Kelly; Gideon is in the throes of anxiety and depression. As Ava's life unravels following Kelly's suicide, Gideon joins her as a fellow employee at The Magic Kebab. The two strike up a bond commiserating over rude customers, Gideon's poetry, old-fashioned letters they write and mail to one another, and a boss with an unfortunate tattoo. Gideon doesn't know that Ava is very much involved with her deceased friend's brother, Lincoln, and Ava doesn't know how much Gideon is in love with her. Told in alternating voices, this page-turning novel displays a great deal of artful charm. The only low points are the casual amusement Ava displays in response to her Greek immigrant grandmother's racist remarks. This is particularly troubling as Kelly and Lincoln's family is Maori (other main characters are white). It also doesn't help that Lincoln is portrayed negatively, as aggressive and controlling. However, Gideon's tight-knit family with two loving lesbian moms is a bright spot.Would have been truly stellar if not for the missed opportunities for positive representation. (Fiction. 16-adult)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 5, 2017
Claire Christian’s 2016 Text Prize-winning book is a beautifully written YA novel that confidently navigates the murky waters of grief and male-female friendship. Chapters are voiced in turn by Ava, who is angry and confused since her best friend Kelly committed suicide; and Gideon, who is anxious and attempting to stay off his phone, internet and social media as he recovers from years of horrific bullying and self-harm. When these two wounded characters meet while working at the local kebab shop, they slowly learn to trust again and to help each other heal. They also discover the joys of writing letters and sharing poetry. The teenage voices of Ava and Gideon are authentic and engaging, while the dual perspective gives the reader the opportunity to get inside one character’s head and then see them from the other character’s often very different point of view. There are no easy answers in this book; its scenes explore debilitating anger and frustration, first sexual experiences and the importance of therapy in recovery. But there is a deftness of touch in the writing and some genuinely funny moments. This is a strong, character-driven story from a talented playwright and novelist, which tackles some hefty issues with lightness and humour. It is an impressive debut. Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids