CBCA YA BOOK OF THE YEAR

Gabi's Review

Karen Comer’s debut novel Grace Notes has recently been shortlisted for 2024 Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards for older readers. Her YA novel is a tender and evocative exploration of grief, resilience, and the healing power of music. Readers are drawn into a world where loss and love intertwine, shaping who we are and who we might become.

The two main characters Grace Dalfinch and James Crux are brought together by an unlikely encounter on a deserted tram. Set during the Covid lockdown, the novel charts a beautiful collaboration between Grace's contemporary violin music and Crux's street art. Their journey follows their love story as they both break free from the constraints set by their families.

Comer's lyrical and haunting prose captures the raw emotions of sorrow and longing. With its poignant storytelling and richly drawn characters, Grace Notes is also a testament to the transformative power of art. A must-read for young adults.

CBCA Review 
https://www.cbca.org.au/book/grace-notes

Publishers Reviews

Grace Dalfinch is a talented violinist who longs to play contemporary music in bars, but her mum forbids her. James Crux is an aspiring street artist who promised his dad he wouldn't paint in public until he's finished school. When Crux witnesses Grace's impromptu performance on a deserted tram, he's inspired to paint her and her violin; and when Grace stumbles across her portrait in a Melbourne alley by an anonymous street artist, she sets out to find its creator. Grace Notes is a debut YA verse novel, set in one of the most locked-down cities in the world - Melbourne, 2020. For fans of Cath Crowley and Pip Harry.

'A classic in the making; Grace Notes is a vital balm of a book, a story to press into everybody's hands.' DANIELLE BINKS

'Poetry, music and art, woven together in an uplifting story about endless lockdowns and first love.' NOVA WEETMAN

'Comer captures the beats of Melbourne's 2020 and the unique experience of a generation of teens in one of the most locked-down cities in the world.' Books+Publishing

'Heart and soul triumph over Covid lockdowns and restrictions . . . Karen has used the verse novel to beguile, dance and demand layers of emotion and depth that only poetry can sustain. A masterful debut!' LORRAINE MARWOOD

'Like the grace note of the title, this beautiful story strikes the perfect tone, mixing colour, light and music at a time when we needed it most.' NICOLE HAYES

'A Romeo & Juliet tale of the modern era . . . Grace Notes [is] a compelling rallying cry for the pursuit of passion, of perseverance in the face of adversity, and the essential work of artists' Sydney Arts Guide