The Last Word (Two Hearts) (A L Tait, Scholastic)

Scholastic’s multi-authored Two Hearts series is capturing the Australian middle-grade romance market. It is notable for its appealing, tween-appropriate relationships, where friendships can evolve into gentle romance and culminate in a first kiss. Prolific, genre-hopping writer and podcaster A L Tait (Danger Road) contributes The Last Word to the series. Matilda is 13 and excelling academically in Year 8, but she remains physically and socially immature. Still bruised by Hayley and her “Cat Pack” ghosting her birthday party, she has become self-protective and wary. Matilda feels safest within the familiar confines of her village home and classroom. In a tried-and-true plotline, her best friend has moved away, leaving a void that is soon filled by Will, a “strangely discombobulating” new boy. Relaxed and charismatic, with a rockstar vibe, Will is a disruptor who excels at school but may be hiding a secret. When Matilda and Will are thrown together on the debating team, Will quickly recognises Matilda’s sharp, empirical mind, while she comes to appreciate the depth beneath his loud exterior. The debating competition brings drama and intensity to the plot, reinforcing the novel’s central theme: the power of words. Inevitably, sparks fly. Booksellers, educators and families can feel confident that readers aged 10 to 14 will not be exposed to sexual content in this series. Offering comfort reading enriched by well-integrated contemporary issues and dilemmas, The Last Word is ideal for readers of Nova Weetman’s junior fiction.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Joy Lawn has worked for independent bookshops and blogs at Paperbark Words. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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