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A wonderful coming-of-age queer romance from the multi award-winning author of The Boy from the Mish. Jonah is the new kid in a country town. When he joins the local footy team to be closer to his crush, Harley, it feels like a fresh start – but he still has to navigate new friendships, an unresolved past, and the same body image issues he's always had.
When 17-year-old Jonah arrives in a new town – Patience – with his dad and younger brothers, it feels like a foreign place. A new town means he needs to make new friends - which isn't always easy. Especially when he's wrestling with his body image, and his memories of his mother.
When he joins the local footy team so he can spend more time with his new crush, Harley, he feels like he's moving closer to something good. But even though he knows what he wants, it doesn't mean he's ready.
Emotionally compelling, honest and featuring warm and authentically vulnerable characters, I'm Not Really Here is a beautiful novel from an internationally acclaimed bestselling Indigenous author about navigating family and friendships, and finding a way through grief towards love.
"I’m Not Really Here is a moving coming-of-age story with so much heart, written by multi-award-winning author Gary Lonesborough (We Didn’t Think It Through, The Boy from the Mish). Jonah is still grieving the unexpected death of his mum five years ago when his dad moves him and his brothers to Patience, the town Jonah’s dad grew up in. Grappling with anxiety as he navigates new friendship circles, loneliness and the culture shock of a new school, Jonah soon develops a crush on Harley, even signing up for footy just to be closer to him. Jonah describes himself as Aboriginal, fat and gay, and he struggles to see how the fit, kind and popular Harley would ever return his feelings. The teenage angst Jonah experiences in his new friend group and his desire to belong will be relatable to many readers. Jonah encourages his friends and Harley in life-changing ways, and it’s heartwarming to watch the people around him blossom because of his acceptance of them. I’m Not Really Here is for readers aged 14+ and explores both timeless and modern themes—the perils of shaming on social media, the obsession of a new crush, healing from grief, navigating sexuality and coming out, homophobia, being true to oneself, being vulnerable and loving fully. For readers who enjoyed Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman." - Books+Publishing reviewer: Jemma Moreira -
'A lightning bolt to the soul. The Boy from the Mish announces a bold, necessary new talent.' WILL KOSTAKIS