Growing Pains
Series
Where
When
Monday, 12 Oct 2015, 06:15pm - 07:15pm
Event Status
Past event
From dystopian epics to ‘sick lit’ tearjerkers, supernatural romances to works of steampunk sci-fi; the scope of quality coming-of-age stories pitched at teenage readers has never been more diverse. With blockbuster young adult books skyrocketing to prominence – netting film adaptations and unofficial fan-fiction spinoffs – young adult novels are increasingly serving as focal points for communities of readers who find solace in remarkable characters and their journeys to maturity.
In a contemporary society marked by a lack of obvious rites of passage, the best YA novels can act as roadmaps, guiding us on the path from childhood to adulthood. But is providing straightforward models for growing up really the point of the most compelling coming-of-age stories?
John Marsden (Checkers, Winter and the Tomorrow series), Will Kostakis (The First Third) and Alice Pung (Laurinda) will speak about stories exploring the universal – and often peculiar, embarrassing, and remarkable – experiences of growing up. Hosted by YA author Emily Gale.
Featuring
Featuring
Emily Gale has been involved in the children’s book industry for nearly 20 years and has worked as an editor, reviewer, talent finder and literary award judge. She spent several happy years at independent bookshop Readings as a children’s book buyer, during which time she was instru... Read more
John Marsden has written more than 40 books, mostly for teenagers and children, including Tomorrow When the War Began, So Much to Tell You, and Letters from the Inside. He has sold over five million books worldwide, and has won every major award in Australia for young people’s fiction. South o... Read more
Will Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults. He’s been at it fifteen years, but his mum insists it’s just a phase and any day now, he’ll pursue a real career. He is best known for his contemporary novels, The First Third, The Sidekicks, and the recently released We Could Be Somet... Read more
Alice Pung OAM is the author of the bestselling memoirs Unpolished Gem and Her Father’s Daughter, and the essay collection Close to Home, as well as the editor of the anthologies Growing Up Asian in Australia and My First Lesson. Her debut novel Laurinda won the Ethel Turner Prize at the 2016 NSW ... Read more
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