One true thing
Nicole Hayes
Random House
2015

The story: Frankie is sixteen, a guitarist in a band, and lives with her father, an academic, her mother, a politician and her younger brother, a swimmer with asthma. Frankie’s mother, Rowena, is in the middle of an election campaign, working to be the first elected female premier of Victoria. Rowena is used to the criticism and taunts of the media, but when she is photographed with an unknown man at night, the media becomes relentless and Frankie’s family begins to fall apart.

The highlights: There’s so much passion in this book – Frankie’s passion for her band, Rowena’s passion for politics and Frankie’s passion for Jake, the new kid at her school with his own passion for photography. Frankie, Rowena, and Rowena’s mother (Gran) are strong women – each with their secrets, their strengths and weaknesses. The pace is fast, the tension of politics, love, family life and school keeps the story entwined and interesting. No wonder young adult fiction is so popular!