Riggs Crossing (Michelle Heeter, Ford Street)

A girl is found in a car wreck, injured and suffering from amnesia. Nearby lie signs of a violent and bloody altercation. When questioned by the authorities, the girl becomes distressed and abusive, and is taken to a youth refuge. But as the troubling memories of her childhood in Riggs Crossing return, so does a dangerous figure from her past. Straightaway, this dark and atmospheric character-driven YA novel reveals what its protagonist Samantha (nicknamed ‘Len Russell’ after the clothes she’s found in) will eventually recall over the following year. This intriguing revelation colours everything to come, as ‘Len’ confronts memories of growing up in a criminal underworld, while at the same time adjusting to life in the public health system. Though her voice sounds a little young, ‘Len’ is a compelling and unpredictable narrator, with a vulnerability beneath her tough exterior that will connect with readers but also keep them guessing. This book explores the complexities surrounding social issues such as mental illness, class, race and duties of care, with an underlying message that although the past may shape us, growing up involves making the right choices with the help that’s available.

Meredith Lewin is a Sydney-based freelance proofreader and reviewer who has worked for a children’s publisher.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews