By Nova Weetman

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

Nova Weetman is an exemplary storyteller. There are several check boxes we’re accustomed to ticking when reviewing novels for young readers – the language, the messaging, the trigger warnings. But the best writing for kids is always grounded in captivating characters with relatable desires, whatever the broader context. Sonny & Tess hooks the reader from the first pages, with nuanced protagonists embarking on a gentle romance amidst themes of family, identity, and change.

Thirteen year old Sonny is staying with his Uncle Frank for a few months, working casually in the family fish and chip shop and trying to avoid being noticed as the ‘new kid’ at school. His dad moves around a lot for work, and Sonny is used to temporary homes, distance education, and loose friendships.

Tess is in the same year at school, and lives in a busy family where she’s regularly required to babysit her twin younger brothers. She’s keen to find some independence, starting with a part time job. Luckily Uncle Frank is hiring.

The two crash into each other (literally), kickstarting a tentative friendship that might just blossom into more. Not that either is quite sure how they feel. Or how the other one feels. Because that’s exactly what thirteen year old crushes are like! We follow these two, who share the narration, from vulnerability, to confusion, to agency, as they figure themselves out over dim sims and chicken salt in a sweltering Aussie summer.

This is a charming, character-driven story with refreshingly little high-stakes drama. There is emotional complexity in the way of family frustrations and challenges to friendships, but all are ultimately resolved with maturity and compromise, showcasing productive examples of conflict resolution, without being didactic. The adults are relatable, the young people feel authentic, and the first-job-first-crush set up is beautifully age appropriate for readers 11+. You’ll close the book feeling warm all over, and hungry for hot chips!

Lara Cain Gray is the author of The Grown-Ups Guide to Picture Books