Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Alison and her friends lead privileged lives in a small town in Philadelphia. When Ali, the unquestioned leader of their group, disappears , her friends are distraught. But they also feel tiny twinges of relief that all the secrets they had shared with Ali are now safe. Soon, however, their seemingly perfect world seems about to unravel as mysterious text messages are received that could only have come from someone who knew what Ali knew. The author maintains a high level of tension throughout the story, which remains unresolved at the end of this first book in the series. The characters are not well differentiated at the beginning of the story, but gradually develop as the story progresses , revealing each to be quite unpleasant in her own way. The story alternates between individual characters’ stories, before bringing the group together at the end. The reader is very tempted to read on as the plot finishes with one chilling question

Keepinitreal by Don Henderson

Keepinitreal is the name of Kid Kabula’s racing greyhound and it also describes his attitude to life. Throughout most of the book the Kid is fully expecting a bashing from Fatts Charvetto , chief of the Victory Rats, the local bikie gang. He just can’t seem to keep out of their way, so his relaxed attitude helps him through the day.
Stevie Goodes is the Kid’s friend and the main character in Keepinitreal. Stevie was found in a dumpster as a baby and brought up by Uncle Boffs and Aunty Pat. Look out for a big shock when he finds out who is really his father !
Readers will enjoy Stevie’s humorous and slightly cynical observations of life in the suburb of Victory Gardens. The characters remind me of the cast of the The Castle, Aussie “battlers” fighting against a system which seems designed to keep working class people in their place. Stevie and Uncle Boff are “scrapin ‘by”, collecting cans and other scrap for refunds at the Trojan Rd Recycling Centre, where, happily for Stevie , he is served by Helen, a girl with a beautiful smile. He looks forward to the day when he can actually think of something to say to her.
The humour of the book is balanced by Aunty Pat’s serious illness and the effect her death has on the remaining two members of their little family. The author has captured beautifully the slow days and feeling of grim inevitability of a family who are sitting by the bedside of a loved one who is dying.
Readers will enjoy Stevies’s slowly developing confidence as the Kid and Helen encourage him to take risks and to move out of his comfort zone.
I will be surprised if the CBCA doesn’t shortlist this one next year.