I recently picked up a couple of highly anticipated contemporary Young Adult novels to read. Coincidentally, they are both Aussie novels which are now being published in the US with stories featuring positive focus on female characters and their bourgeoning sexuality and sense of self. Wildlife (Poppy/Little, Brown; Sept. 16th, 2014) is a stand-alone companion novel to Fiona Wood’s Six Impossible Things. It has a split narrative that alternates between two girls – Sib and Lou – as they spend their posh high school’s nine-week wilderness experience. Quiet, studious Sib is experiencing a sudden change in popularity after a modelling gig put her face on a billboard. Between that, then falling in love with the coolest and most popular guy from school whilst trying to stay true to herself, Sib also has to navigate the tricky waters of a dysfunctional friendship with best friend Holly, who is the one used to the spotlight. In the meantime, Lou is the New Girl. A supporting character from Six Impossible Things, Lou is grieving over the death of her boyfriend who died in a terrible accident – the first boy she has ever loved. She is hiding from life and keeping from others, […]