This was a re-read, since I’m interested in writing a YA novel of my own at present and this was one that had some impact on me when I was young. I think I originally read it about age 14, and then at 16 it was on the reading list for senior year and people liked it then. (16’s pretty old for a YA novel to be read and enjoyed, as I understand it, so that’s not unimpressive at all.) So, unsurprisingly I suppose, as an adult it’s still a pretty compelling read: certainly up there with the best of any YA I’ve read. It’s stood the test of time pretty well too in terms of relevance (though that may say as many bad things about the sad state of multiculturalism in Australia as it does about the book, hrm). I picked up a copy with Pia Miranda (a la the movie) on the cover, but I’m adding it to All Consuming with the cover I originally read it in… honestly I think they set a completely different scene! No surprises here that I like my original reading more than the movie’s one. So, ner. ;)