Frankie and Joely (Nova Weetman, UQP)

Escaping to relatives in the country with best friend Frankie in tow seemed like a wonderful idea to Joely at the time. But now they have arrived, she’s learning that friendship can be far more complicated than she ever imagined and that bringing together the people you love won’t always be easy. Set against the dramatic backdrop of a rural Australian community in the height of summer, Frankie and Joely explores the often difficult nature of friendship between teenage girls—particularly when the twin pressures of family and romance are applied. The mess of jealously, lies and power struggles between the girls is cut through by moments of tenderness and understanding, but they don’t manage to make these irritating, selfish and manipulative characters anything close to likable. While the constantly shifting viewpoint allows the reader to see all facets of these girls and their relationship, it also works as a distraction from the plot and creates distance from the characters. Addictive despite frustrating characters, Frankie and Joely will appeal to fans of Maureen McCarthy. 

Meg Whelan is the children’s book buyer at the Hill of Content Bookshop in Melbourne