Darkest Night, Brightest Star

By Barry Jonsberg

A & U Children 2025

Teaching resources

Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey

Morgan Pickford doesn’t fit in with the other kids at school. But he doesn’t really fit in at home, either, where the only people in his life are his dad and his older brother, who quit school at 16 to work with their dad. His mum is gone, but Morgan doesn’t know where, or if she’s even alive. The two older Pickford men have taught Morgan their three important rules: never fail, never show weakness, and most importantly, never show fear.

Morgan never has much to say, so when a boy at school, Gray, strikes up a conversation at lunch one day, Morgan suddenly has a friend. As their friendship grows, the boys find themselves at odds over things Morgan has never really questioned, and his perspective begins to shift. Gray is a formidable friend, honest and forthright and happy to put Morgan in his place when they disagree. Over the course of several weeks, Morgan finds himself on the brink of discovering who he has become and who he actually wants to be.

Taking aim at the heart of toxic masculinity, Darkest Night, Brightest Star is a shining example of how to broach difficult topics so teens might really listen and, along the way, discover they have something to say, too. Award-winning British-Australian author Barry Jonsberg has found a place on the CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers shortlist in 2026, more than 20 years after his debut The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull was shortlisted in 2005.

Jonsberg’s colloquial writing and familiar characters bring to life a story about humanity and friendship, tugging at the heartstrings of readers without them even realising. Conversations flit and whisper around RUOK day, teenage mental health, sexuality, toxic masculinity, and the ties that bind us to family, while reminding teens and adults alike that nothing changes unless we acknowledge it needs changing. Although Darkest Night, Brightest Star is subtle in its method, the message is clearly highlighted amid situations that will strike very close to home for most readers: we are raised into the people our parents shape us to be, whether intentionally or incidentally, but there is always room for the words and actions of others to gently, softly, help us change the shape of that mould.

Suitable for all YA readers, this book provides a great first step into conversations we should be having while kids and teens are still young enough to help shape their own mould with ease.

Age 12 – 18