Destroying Avalon
Kate McCaffrey has captured the tortured world of teenage relationships, and the competitive and sometimes destructive culture of the school yard, in her debut novel Destroying Avalon. Set in WA, this story will resonate strongly with a tech savvy generation who are still, like teenagers before them, finding them selves and negotiating their identity. I road tested this novel on a range of teenage readers. Many reported enthusiastically that they sat up all night until they had finished it. One girl said it gave a voice to the worries that they all face.
A major part of the appeal of this novel is its rendition of school yard conflict and the realism of its central characters - Avalon and Marshall. Avalon is the epitome of a healthy, normal teenager. She is curious, sensitive and she likes to do the right thing by her friends and family - without trying too hard. When she changes school due to her mother’s promotion to a school in the city, Avalon is naturally worried about the prospect of making new friends.
The novel begins with the words, "Sometimes you know something bad is about to happen before it does". From here we are taken on a journey with the likeable Avalon, through the unseen and unstated rules of a new school’s culture. Her mentor on the journey is Marshall, an articulate and handsome boy who is dealing with the loss of his father and issues surrounding his sexuality. Avalon, as the new student has to negotiate the power relations with the alpha set of "popular" girls. She gets some attention from Caleb, the hot surf dude and is then attacked on one of the most vulnerable issues for a teenage girl, her sexual reputation. Tension and mystery is developed through a series of emails which act like another insidious and destructive character in the story. Ultimately Avalon has to solve the mystery of defamatory emails, but on the way she shows us the importance of friendship and love.
Destroying Avalon is a compelling story and it powerfully shows the importance of self esteem and the importance of healthy communication. Kate McCaffrey realistically captures the language of school yard exchange and she does not shy away from issues such as teenage sexuality, depression and the culture of bullying that pervades an affluent society.
Destroying Avalon is essentially a great read, but it can also provide an excellent platform for discussion. The novel is supported with a comprehensive set of teaching notes that can be effectively used in the middle secondary classroom.
Reviewed by
Penny McLoughlin
Education Consultant - Literacy
Moving to a new school, Avalon has difficulty in finding friends – and then the real terror starts. The victim of relentless, vicious defamatory messages on the internet, Avalon is too devastated and confused to think how to defend herself until a tragedy brings release. This strong novel is grounded in the realities of secondary school culture, dialogue and relationships, where peer pressure has escalated into a new and dangerous realm. There are important messages in this riveting, fast paced story with high appeal for its target audience of young adult readers. A gripping, thought-provoking story of cyber-bullying, this novel may be a timely warning to parents and teachers of the present and rapidly evolving dangers facing young people today.
Reviewed by
a judge of the Premier’s Awards.
When her family moves to the city, Avalon starts at a new high school. Although believing herself to be smart and strong, she is suddenly at the centre of brutal cyber bullying. The rapid insidious nature of the anonymous campaign unfolds compulsively through text and email messages, until it is realistically concluded. McCaffrey’s skilful storytelling keeps the reader guessing right to the end; she deals with friendship, cyber-stalking, homosexuality and teenage suicide. A list of supportive websites is appended.
Reviewed by
a judge of the Children’s Book Council : Notable Australian Books 2007
…McCaffrey’s novel is an eye opener to a sinister contemporary world in which digital space is way out of control…absorbing and useful.
Tony Maniaty Weekend Australian October 28-29 2006
…McCaffrey delineates how this form of bullying can be directed at the most innocent people and how the consequences can be unforseen and tragic… the novel outlines it with sympathy and insight.
Ian Nichols Weekend Extra The West Australian Nov 4 2006
...Destroying Avalon is an honest, revealing look into [cyber bullying] told from the viewpoint of the students being bullied….This is a thought provoking novel… it is a useful tool to assist parents and teachers, as well as students, to understand how this problem starts and how dire the consequences. A must have for school and public libraries.
Tina Cavanough Magpies: Number 5- November 2006
…Written from a teenager’s point of view, this book really does underline the terrible truth about bullying… IIf you are looking for a good but simple read, then read this book. I thought it was terrific. It is one of those books that you pick up and are instantly glued to the pages. Because of this I suggest the reader waits until they have lots of free time so that they are not distracted from anything they really need to do, eg. assignments, homework, etc…
Ryl, aged 14, Canberra YARA www.goldvreek.act.edu.au
…It’s the best book I’ve ever read and after I read it I wanted to read it again and again and again!!! …it touches on most of the important issues and makes you understand how real they are and what to do about it…
(home&awayrox) www.myjellybean.com/chat
…When I finished reading the last page of this book I felt sad, I loved the book and didn’t want it to end…
(kelli 12) Your Reviews www.smartgirl.org/reviews/books
