One of the many things to like about this novel is the main character, Clara. She is such a likeable, intelligent young woman, poised between Year 12 and university. The way she is focused on the things thatboth limit and entertain her is somehow so familiar. The easy seduction of the television set, the comfort of Melbourne friends and culture, the need for endless texting and the unreasoned fear of ‘different’ – different country, different culture, different skin colour.

But forced to rely on her own resources (alone in Washington while her mother works long hours), she finds the courage to venture out into the big, bad streets – to catch the train, volunteer, and armed with her Lonely Planet guide book, to ‘do’ Washington. Duffle-coated Campbell from the Anarchists’ Collective becomes an interesting distraction and an unexpected facilitator in her working out the things that matter to her. A novel which manages to be both breezy and thought-provoking, for ages 14 and up.

Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton