running latedrop it off without meI type drop what off? I don't know what Mish is talking about.While I'm typing, another message appears. don't tell bellaBut I am Bella.Best friends Bella and Connie live on the outskirts of the city in an area that was once full of open fields and paddocks but is changing as the suburbs creep closer. And now there is Mish, Connie's cousin, who has to be included even though she is unfriendly and unpredictable. The pandemic lockdowns have lifted and the three teens are eager to explore their newfound independence. But with the world opening up, there has been a rise in surveillance, from apps that track their movements to voice recorders and hidden cameras. It feels like everyone is watching them. But when does 'watching' become 'watching over'?Do we have a right to know everything about those we love? Look Me in the Eye is a gripping tale of young teens navigating freedom and trust-building, privacy and secrets, in an era of parental surveillance.Praise for Jane Godwin's writing:'Fantastically tense in places, A Walk in the Dark is a great read for all kids ages 11 plus' Readings'Refreshingly unpredictable, bold and refuses to minimise the complex lives of [its] characters' Saturday Age'This book is a joy to read' CBCA Judges' report on When Rain Turns to Snow'Quality storytelling . . . gripping' The Australian Women's Weekly
Bella and Connie are best friends. They live on the edge of Melbourne and are navigating a post-lockdown world as they enter Year 7. Connie’s cousin, Mish and her family move into a fancy house nearby and everything changes. Mish seems to have everything she could want but she’s far from happy. She’s unpredictable and often unkind, but she’s family. Bella and Connie are reluctantly pulled into Mish’s chaotic world.
‘Look Me in the Eye’ is compelling and unsettling and explores a world where technology and ethics collide. The post-Covid world holds unexpected challenges around surveillance, safety and trust. It is also a novel about young teens navigating their changing world - a journey experienced by every young person. Recommended for upper-primary readers.