One of the best books I have read this year and one that could be studied at Year 10/11 level. Blank prose novel which looks at the friendship between 4 young adults – 2 “skips” Katie and Matt ( who are cousins) and 2 “wogs” Effie and Christie all set against the backdrop of the Cronulla Riots. Also has issues of family grief and tragedy [ Effie’s younger brother drowned, her mother is a Cypriot exile, Katie’s mother ran off with her uncle (Matt’s Dad) and her father is clinically depressed and Christie’s father has a heart attack)] which are all cleverly and subtly woven together in this tale of love (Matt & Effie) and friendship regardless of race. Fantastic! ( )

Another fantastic novel by Irini Savvides, written in verse fiction. Katie has moved to inland Sydney, away from her beloved ocean, as she and her father recover from her mother's betrayal. At her new school, she meets two Greek girls, Effi and Christie, and initially gets off on the wrong foot. As the poems continue, you discover the similarities between the girls, the sorrows they all have, as well as the culture clashes that inevitably lead to violence. A truly wonderful read. ( )