Media Bites September 2023

Out of the Blue JASON JUNE

Crest is not excited to be on their Journey: the month-long sojourn on land all teen merfolk must undergo. The rules are simple: Help a human within one moon cycle and return to Pacifica to become an Elder - or fail and remain stuck on land forever. Crest is eager to get their Journey over and done with. Humans are disgusting. They’ve polluted the planet so much that there’s a floating island of trash that’s literally the size of a country. In Los Angeles with a human body and a new name, Crest meets Sean, a human lifeguard whose boyfriend has recently dumped him. Crest agrees to help Sean make his ex jealous and win him back. But as the two spend more time together, and Crest’s perspective on humans begins to change, they’ll soon be torn between two worlds. And fake dating just might lead to real feelings. . .

This sophomore novel from Jason June dives into the many definitions of the word home and shows how love can help us find the truest versions of ourselves.

Released: 30/08/23 B+P | 400pp AU $19.99 NZ $21.99 Imprint:HarperCollins

Only Children DAVID BADDIEL

MEET ALFIE… THE BOY WHO COULD DO WHAT HE LIKED! Alfie has a routine. To be honest he has a lot of routines. But then one day Alfie’s babysitter is unavailable, and Alfie’s parents get Mrs Stokes instead. Mrs Stokes doesn’t do routines. Instead, she just tells Alfie to do

what he likes. And that’s when things start to go weird. Does everything get hilariously out of control? Yes.

Does Alfie learn a valuable lesson? Nah. This isn’t that kind of story… DISCOVER CHRISSIE… THE GIRL WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ON A TRAIN!

Chrissie loves trains. She has train books, train pictures – and, of course, model trains. But Chrissie has never been on an actual train. In part, because Chrissie doesn’t find getting around as easy as other people. Then, Chrissie finally gets on a train, with her Grandpa Henry, to go down to ondon for an important operation. Her parents and Henry hope the journey will take Chrissie’s mind off things. And they’re right: but in a way they couldn’t possibly imagine. Because Chrissie’s trip from Scotland to London turns out to be quite literally magical – and changes her life forever. MARVEL AT ARIEL… THE CHILD WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ON HOLIDAY! Every year, Max, Lily and Jack are taken to Snoring-On-Sea for their holiday – quite possibly the most boring town in the world. There’s nothing to do and nothing to see – even the beach at Snoring-on-Sea is dull and grey.

Released: 30/08/23 BPB | 304pp AU $15.99 NZ $17.99 Imprint:HarperCollins

CHILDREN’S