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Borderland

By Graham Akhurst
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Borderland follows Jono, an Indigenous teenager from Brisbane struggling to connect with his roots and community. Alongside his best friend Jenny, he lands an internship with a documentary crew promoting a controversial mining project on land said to be sacred. When Jono travels to the remote town of Gambari, he faces eerie omens, panic attacks, and visions of a malevolent Dreaming spirit, Wudun. As he confronts hidden truths behind the project, Jono embarks on a gripping journey of self-discovery, Indigenous identity, and resistance.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Borderland is ideal for young adults and older children interested in stories about Indigenous culture, coming-of-age challenges, and supernatural horror. It suits readers drawn to tales exploring identity, colonisation, and environmental issues through a thrilling narrative.

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Borderland is a heart-pounding horror gothic that follows Jono on an epic quest to find himself in the face of unbelievable challenges.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Shortlisted, Queensland Literary Awards 2024, Premier's Award for a Work of State Significance

Shortlisted, Queensland Literary Awards 2024, Young Adult Book Award

Jono, a city-born Indigenous teenager, is trying to figure out who he really is. Life in Brisbane hasn't exactly made him feel connected to his Country or community. Luckily, he's got his best friend, Jenny, who has been by his side through their hectic days at St Lucia Private.

After graduating, Jono and Jenny score gigs at the Aboriginal Performing Arts Centre, and an incredible opportunity comes knocking—interning with a documentary crew. Their mission? To promote a big government mining project in the wild western Queensland desert. The catch? The details are sketchy, and the land is rumoured to be sacred. But who cares? Jono is stoked just to be part of something meaningful. Plus, he gets to be the lead presenter!

Life takes a turn when they land in Gambari, a tiny rural town far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Suddenly, Jono's intuition becomes his best guide. He's haunted by an eerie omen of death, battling suffocating panic attacks, and even experiencing visions of Wudun—a malevolent spirit from the Dreaming. What's the real story behind the gas mining venture? Are the documentary crew hiding something from Jono? And could Wudun be a messenger from the land, fighting back against the invasion?

Borderland is a heart-pounding horror gothic that follows Jono on an epic quest to find himself in the face of unbelievable challenges. Graham Akhurst, the brilliant mind behind this coming-of-age gem, is a Fulbright scholar from the Kokomini of Northern Queensland. Brace yourself for a fresh, mind-bending tale exploring Indigenous identity, the impact of colonisation, and what happens when you take a stand.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760802646

Publisher: UWA Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: UWA Publishing

Illustration: Illustrations

Audience: Children, Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 0g

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational General Fiction Graham Akhurst Horror & Supernatural Young Adult

About the Author

Graham Akhurst is an Aboriginal writer and academic hailing from the Kokomini of Northern Queensland. He is currently a Lecturer of Indigenous Australian Studies and Creative Writing at The University of Technology Sydney. He is a contributing editor at Kweli Journal, New York City. Graham was named the first Indigenous recipient of the Fulbright W.G Walker award as the highest-ranked postgraduate Australian applicant. His Fulbright award funded the completion of an MFA in Fiction from Hunter College (CUNY). Graham also completed an MPhil and a firstclass honours degree both in Creative Writing from The University of Queensland. He currently lives and works on Gadigal Country in Sydney. Borderland is his first novel. Graham Akhurst is represented by Danielle Binks and the Jacinta di Mase Agency.

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