Darkest Night, Brightest Star

 By: Barry Jonsberg  

Location: FIC JON

Genre: Teenage Life

What makes a good man? Morgan Pickford isn't sure yet, but he's doing his best to find out, even though it's complicated. A life-affirming YA novel about fractured families, tough talk, masculinity, finding friendship and overturning expectations from an internationally acclaimed, bestselling Australian author.

Two things that are true and one that is a
I think my mother is dead and alive.
I think if I work hard I will be very good at something.
I've tried to please my dad but I don't think I ever will.

Thirteen-year-old Morgan lives with his dad and his older brother, Mitch. He hasn't heard from his mum since she left when he was two. He works hard on his football skills, striving to meet his father's high expectations and 'be a man'.

But what that means isn't always clear-cut. When Morgan makes a friend at school, gets injured in a game, and his long-lost mum turns up, everything changes. Then, when he meets an old woman in need of help, Morgan must decide what kind of man he wants to be.

Shining a timely and much-needed light on different kinds of masculinity, Darkest Night, Brightest Star is a unique and compelling novel from a masterful storyteller.

reviewed by Rina

Thirteen-year-old Morgan lives with his dad and his older brother, Mitch. He hasn't heard from his mum since she left when he was two. He works hard on his football skills, striving to meet his father's high expectations and 'be a man'. But what that means isn't always clear-cut.

This was another powerful middle grade from Barry Jonsberg, this time covering the topic of toxic masculinity. I’m sure we’ve all seen glimpses of the scenarios covered here playing in real life.

Morgan was such a sweet, kind-hearted boy/young man, who just wanted to find his place in the world. My heart ached for him as I could see the toxicity eroding his experience with football. He had the talent for it, and it could’ve been something that brought tremendous joy for him but instead it was associated with too much negativity.

I loved following his coming-of-age journey here, especially seeing him building connections with unlikely ‘friends’ who didn’t fit his dad’s definition of being ‘manly’. This book made me feel and evaluate things. Loved it.