
At a Glance
Paperback
RRP $24.95
$23.75
In Stock and Aims to ship in 1-2 business days
When will this arrive by?
Winner of the 2016 Adelaide Festival Unpublished Manuscript Award
Honour Book in the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers Award
Sometimes I feel like I'm neither one thing nor another. I live in the Mallee but I don't like the desert. I live on a farm but I get hay fever and I'm scared of goats. I like school but my best mates don't. I'm stuck between stuff. It's like I'm not meant to be here but I am.
Sandy Douglas knows that life at fifteen is hard, but it's even harder when your mother died a year ago and nothing's gone right since. His brother Red, on the other hand, is eighteen now and working the farm. He's amped up on rage and always looking for a fight. And then there's their dad Tom. He does his best, but - really - he doesn't have a clue.
As Sandy and Red deal with girls, dirt biking, footy and friendship, both boys have to work out who they want to be, without their mum around. The Mallee, where they live, may seem like the middle of nowhere, but it turns out this is going to be one hell of a year.
About the Author
Charlie Archbold was born in London. She completed a degree in drama before training as a teacher and has worked as an educator for twenty-five years. She recently completed a Master of Education in Studies of Asia. After travelling extensively she settled in Australia and lives with her family in Adelaide. Mallee Boys is her first novel.
Honour Book in the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers Award
Sometimes I feel like I'm neither one thing nor another. I live in the Mallee but I don't like the desert. I live on a farm but I get hay fever and I'm scared of goats. I like school but my best mates don't. I'm stuck between stuff. It's like I'm not meant to be here but I am.
Sandy Douglas knows that life at fifteen is hard, but it's even harder when your mother died a year ago and nothing's gone right since. His brother Red, on the other hand, is eighteen now and working the farm. He's amped up on rage and always looking for a fight. And then there's their dad Tom. He does his best, but - really - he doesn't have a clue.
As Sandy and Red deal with girls, dirt biking, footy and friendship, both boys have to work out who they want to be, without their mum around. The Mallee, where they live, may seem like the middle of nowhere, but it turns out this is going to be one hell of a year.
About the Author
Charlie Archbold was born in London. She completed a degree in drama before training as a teacher and has worked as an educator for twenty-five years. She recently completed a Master of Education in Studies of Asia. After travelling extensively she settled in Australia and lives with her family in Adelaide. Mallee Boys is her first novel.
Industry Reviews
'A well-paced and ultimately suspenseful tale full of convincing and engaging characters.'
Katharine England, Advertiser
'Only a teacher/writer like Charlie Archbold could produce a book like this. Those among us who have taught in country towns as young teachers will recognise the character types and the sorts of activities that young kids get up to. Archbold’s teaching under the skies in the bush provides the authenticity that her tale of the Mallee Boys must have.'
Ian Lipke, Queensland Reviewers Collective
'A story of love, mateship, growing up in the country and chasing your dreams. While a YA book, it's engaging for adults, who will be transported back to those awkward teenage years and may find it's hard to fight back that lump in the throat at the climactic end. A hidden gem.'
Shelley Hadfield, Herald Sun
'Charlie Archibold ... explores masculinity with great perceptiveness and verisimilitude. It's a novel that teenage boys will recognise themselves in - a feat difficult for any writer to achieve.'
Cameron Woodhead, Age/Sydney Morning Herald
Katharine England, Advertiser
'Only a teacher/writer like Charlie Archbold could produce a book like this. Those among us who have taught in country towns as young teachers will recognise the character types and the sorts of activities that young kids get up to. Archbold’s teaching under the skies in the bush provides the authenticity that her tale of the Mallee Boys must have.'
Ian Lipke, Queensland Reviewers Collective
'A story of love, mateship, growing up in the country and chasing your dreams. While a YA book, it's engaging for adults, who will be transported back to those awkward teenage years and may find it's hard to fight back that lump in the throat at the climactic end. A hidden gem.'
Shelley Hadfield, Herald Sun
'Charlie Archibold ... explores masculinity with great perceptiveness and verisimilitude. It's a novel that teenage boys will recognise themselves in - a feat difficult for any writer to achieve.'
Cameron Woodhead, Age/Sydney Morning Herald
ISBN: 9781743055007
ISBN-10: 1743055005
Published: 19th October 2017
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 216
Audience: Teenager/Young Adult
For Ages: 12+ years old
For Grades: 8+
Publisher: Wakefield Press
Country of Publication: AU
Edition Number: 1
Dimensions (cm): 20.5 x 13.5 x 2.5
Weight (kg): 0.32
Shipping
Standard Shipping | Express Shipping | |
---|---|---|
Metro postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Regional postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Rural postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
How to return your order
At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.
Additional postage charges may be applicable.
Defective items
If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.
For more info please visit our Help Centre.
You Can Find This Book In
Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionFamily & Home Stories for Children & TeenagersRelationship Stories for Children & TeenagersPersonal & Social IssuesHandling Family Issues for Children & TeenagersSchool Stories for Children & TeenagersPremier's Reading ChallengeNSW Premier's Reading Challenge NSW Premier's Reading Challenge Books for Years 5-6NSW Premier's Reading Challenge Books for Years 7-9Young Adult (YA) Fiction
2018 CBCA Awards Shortlist - Older Readers
This product is categorised by
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionFamily & Home Stories for Children & Teenagers
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionRelationship Stories for Children & Teenagers
- Kids & Children's BooksPersonal & Social IssuesHandling Family Issues for Children & Teenagers
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionSchool Stories for Children & Teenagers
- Kids & Children's BooksPremier's Reading ChallengeNSW Premier's Reading Challenge NSW Premier's Reading Challenge Books for Years 5-6
- Kids & Children's BooksPremier's Reading ChallengeNSW Premier's Reading Challenge NSW Premier's Reading Challenge Books for Years 7-9
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionYoung Adult (YA) Fiction