A Year Ten class are set an essay topic on the subject of Heroes. ‘One man’s hero is another man’s villain’ is the theme. Set jointly by their History teacher Mr Quayle and their English teacher Mrs Canmore, who are not natural allies, it also involves journal-writing and making a speech. We, the readers, are privvy to the journals as each student teases out the topic and how to approach it. To Macca, Mr Quayle’s golden boy, it’s a breeze. Macchiavelli – that’ll impress the teachers, what a dude, he knew how to win. To others, all sorts of heroes present themselves, and to Phil, the Special Needs student and class loner, with his blue-tinted glasses, writing anything at all, even though he feels so strongly about it, doesn’t come easy. As the term progresses, the journals reveal the classroom dynamics, and a variety of dramas going on at home; the idea of heroes and courage plays out on a different level.

This is an utterly fascinating novel, written with passion, with a plot that makes it unputdownable and an inspiring theme. A young adult novel that will also be enjoyed by upper primary kids and adults.

Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton