by Scott Monk
BOYZ ‘R’ US
It’s a long, mad ride from Summer Bay! Chicks, babes, cars and music; bored kids and shouting mothers; fathers that suck on a bottle to put themselves to sleep; and TV sets blaring mindlessly. Race tensions are hotting up in Marrickville and the media want a gang war so badly that they nearly start one. As Mitch looks back on his time as former leader of the Thunderjets, he tells the searing story of a scene that in some ways, no matter how hard you try, you can never leave.
Praise for Boyz ‘R’ Us, winner of the Royal Blind Society’s Talking Book Award:
‘difficult moral choices at every turn of the plot … it deals with the issues of power, rebellion and self-image. But there’s never a dull moment. For such a young writer, it exhibits an impressive maturity of judgment and consistency of tone’ Canberra Times
‘Heaps good novel, eh. First one I’ve ever finished’ David, Age 13
THE CRUSH
Matthew Cassidy is an up-and-coming league star. The talent scouts are circling him, his school team has reached the finals for the first time ever and he’s determined to play professional one day. Not bad for a down-to-earth guy who lives with his mum above a fish and chip shop on the poor side of town!
But despite being the team captain, a natural at the game and popular with his mates, Matt really wants one thing in life – a dad. All his friends have one, so why can’t he?
Meanwhile, Matt is facing another dilemma – a crush. Blue-eyed Kelly Sinclair has caught his heart and won’t let go. Drop-dead gorgeous, but shy, she’s everything he has dreamed about. But she already has a boyfriend – a guy who hates Matt’s guts and will do anything to destroy his career!
THE NEVER BOYS
The lies that bind …
Dean Mason is a boy with many secrets. For starters, that’s not his real name. On the run from the law, he hides in the Barossa Valley — famous for its vineyards and Mediterranean heat. But he’s soon discovered …
… By a beautiful, fiery girl who’s as wild as the flamenco music he tries to tame her with. Together, they stir up trouble as each attempts to escape a world in which they feel trapped. As Dean soon learns, the mistakes that you make when you’re young haunt you for life. And secrets never last.
Biography
Scott Monk was born in Macksville, New South Wales, in 1974. He grew up in Sydney, Canberra and several country towns before landing his first job as a newspaper journalist in Adelaide.
A reluctant reader as a teenager, Scott began writing at the age of 13 after one of his Year 8 English teachers set a “short” story assignment. Little did she expect that he would produce a 220-page manuscript — then ask her to mark it! Aged 19, he wrote Boyz ‘R’ Us, which was published when he was 21. It was followed by Raw, The Crush and now The Never Boys.
Scott presently works for a national newspaper in Sydney. On weekends, he can be found at the footy screaming for his team to rid itself of the wooden spoon, or plotting to take over the world’s chocolate factories.