Robyn Bavati
Author
LATEST BOOK
A Weekend With Oscar
Sixteen-year-old Jamie lives with his mum and his younger brother Oscar, who has Down syndrome. Though Jamie is still grieving the loss of his dad, life starts to look up when he meets Zara, the new girl at school. When their mum goes away for the weekend, Jamie volunteers to look after Oscar. But when the weekend is over and their mother doesn’t return, Jamie faces the toughest challenge of his life.
A moving #LoveOzYA novel about loss, first love and being there for your family, no matter what.
On writing a Weekend With Oscar
One of four young adult novels selected for the #ICYM150 list of must-read new Australian books you might have missed
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…a deeply moving portrayal of what it is like to have a sibling with a disability…This isn’t a perspective that’s shown very often, and it’s presented in an honest, realistic way…Insightful and sensitive, this is a book that should be read widely.” Rachel le Rossignol, Reading Time
"What a moving book! Bavati has succeeded in writing a warm, engrossing story…This would make an ideal class novel or literature circle book as it raises issues of accountability and dealing with grief. Readers too, will grow in empathy and understanding of children living with a sibling with a disability.” Pat Pledger, Read Plus
"This is a tremendously heart-warming coming of age novel… a great story for teen readers that would also be an ideal text to use with lower to middle secondary students to explore issues of empathy, compassion, disability and grief. It also looks at first love and friendship, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Reviewed by Rob, Lamont Books
"…one of the most delightful YA narratives I’ve read in some time… a beautiful funny and poignant coming-of-age story that will enchant…lower secondary students in particular… it explores the sometimes fraught, but also enriching, experience of having a sibling with a disability… Highly recommended for readers from around Year 7 upwards – it’s just a pure delight.” Sue Warren, Just So Stories
…a subtle first novel about familial loyalties and individuality… It's an intriguing glimpse into a singular culture; the persuasive depiction of Ditty's internal conflicts distinguishes Bavati's debut
If The Parent Trap were set at a dance school, you’d have this story… the separated-at-birth story and plenty of grand pliés make for a winning combination
BIO
Robyn Bavati is the award-winning author of Dancing in the Dark, Pirouette and Within These Walls. Shortlisted in several children’s choice awards, Dancing in the Dark was a 2011 CBCA Notable Book, a 2014 Sydney Taylor Honour Book, and was on the Year 8 English curriculum at a number of schools. Within These Walls was a 2017 CBCA Shortlisted Book, winner of the 2018 WAYRBA award, and has been studied by school children around Australia. Robyn’s latest novel, A Weekend With Oscar, was published in July 2021. Robyn lives in Melbourne and is the mother of three grown-up children. An experienced presenter and active member of Toastmasters International, she enjoys public speaking. She loves visiting schools to run writing workshops and discuss her work.
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