Leaving Jetty Road

(Paperback)

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Description

'If there was one thing you could change about yourself,' Lise says, 'what would it be' 'Lots of stuff,' I say, without giving it too much thought. 'What about you' She doesn't answer. For ages, she doesn't answer. She creases an unused sugar packet on the cafe table into tiny, deliberate folds, then unfolds it again. then she says, quietly, 'I'd change everything.' 'Everything' I echo. She nods. 'My clothes. My body. My self.' Leaving Jetty Road is a compelling coming-of-age story about three friends, Nat, Lise and Sofia. When the three girls make a joint New Year's resolution to go vegetarian for a year none of them foresees the changes that will occur in their lives during that year. While Nat and Sofia meet boys and fall in love, Lise immerses herself in long hours of study. She hopes this preparation will help her overcome the panic attacks she experienced in Year 11. She also discovers - to her delight - that the vegetarianism that they have pledged has resulted in something she has always longed for: weight loss. As the year progresses and the end-of-year exams loom, the three girls experience various ups and downs: Nat's relationship breaks down, while Sofia's thrives, and Lise struggles with an eating disorder that could threaten her life. It is during the aftermath of these events that Nat and Lise must come to terms with their lives. Although their experiences are different, they discover a new optimism for life. Ages 13+ Leaving Jetty Road is the winner of a Varuna Award.

Reviews

A PERCEPTIVE, quietly powerful piece about friendship. Nat, Lise and Sofe are in their last year of high school, with exams and decisions looming large. . . . Burton paints settings, characters and relationships with a sweet and poignant freshness. Kirkus Reviews
Burton does an effective job of weaving the symptoms and personality characteristics of anorexia into an absorbing story about the tug and pull of old friendships as a teen s world expands. An afterword about anorexia concludes this well-written, never-didactic novel. Booklist
Burton skillfully captures universal doubts and insecurities that are a part of growing up as both girls struggle with obsessions. . . . Although psychologically intense, the book remains optimistic, hinting in the end that the girls will overcome their obstacles even as they choose different paths. Publishers Weekly
Avoid the temptation of classifying this simply as an anorexia book; it's much more. School Library Journal"
"A PERCEPTIVE, quietly powerful piece about friendship. Nat, Lise and Sofe are in their last year of high school, with exams and decisions looming large. . . . Burton paints settings, characters and relationships with a sweet and poignant freshness."-Kirkus Reviews
"Burton does an effective job of weaving the symptoms and personality characteristics of anorexia into an absorbing story about the tug and pull of old friendships as a teen's world expands. An afterword about anorexia concludes this well-written, never-didactic novel."-Booklist
"Burton skillfully captures universal doubts and insecurities that are a part of growing up as both girls struggle with obsessions. . . . Although psychologically intense, the book remains optimistic, hinting in the end that the girls will overcome their obstacles even as they choose different paths."-Publishers Weekly
"Avoid the temptation of classifying this simply as an "anorexia" book; it's much more."-School Library Journal
" A PERCEPTIVE, quietly powerful piece about friendship. Nat, Lise and Sofe are in their last year of high school, with exams and decisions looming large. . . . Burton paints settings, characters and relationships with a sweet and poignant freshness." - Kirkus Reviews
" Burton does an effective job of weaving the symptoms and personality characteristics of anorexia into an absorbing story about the tug and pull of old friendships as a teen' s world expands. An afterword about anorexia concludes this well-written, never-didactic novel." - Booklist
" Burton skillfully captures universal doubts and insecurities that are a part of growing up as both girls struggle with obsessions. . . . Although psychologically intense, the book remains optimistic, hinting in the end that the girls will overcome their obstacles even as they choose different paths." - Publishers Weekly
" Avoid the temptation of classifying this simply as an " anorexia" book; it's much more." - School Library Journal

Author Bio

Rebecca Burtons previous novel for young adults, LEAVING JETTY ROAD, won a Varuna Award for Manuscript Development and was named by the Childrens Book Council of Australia as a Notable Australian Childrens Book. She lives in South Australia within walking distance of the beach. She loves Adelaide, the colour red, broccoli and (of course) the music of Hank Williams.