Available in all good bookstores in Australia, and online. For more info: Pan Macmillan website.
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One Song Here it is - my sixth novel for young adults. One Song is a return to realism (after my dystopian/speculative-fiction duology, Hive and Rogue) and it was HEAPS of fun to write. The cover is beautiful, don't you think? It's the very cool creation of designer Astred Hicks, at Design Cherry. I reckon it's perfect. One Song feels like the most autobiographical novel I've written yet. It's the distillation of my experience of being seventeen—the energy and passion, the strangeness and fear, the pressure and terrifying hope—in a tightly-knit, emotionally-charged package. This is the book that I wish my younger self could've read. I can't wait for you to read it too. Here's a link to a Q&A I did with Joy Lawn for her PaperbarkWords blog. And here's a feature in the West Australian PLAY magazine. |
What people are saying about One Song:
'One Song is an ode to both adolescent confidence and adolescent anxiety. There’s talent and drive, but there’s also heartache, miscommunication, and mental health stress. The story is clever, funny and joyful. It’s very relatable, too, and explores the intensity of first love, female solidarity and learning not to judge a book by its cover ... a delightful and emotionally intelligent YA novel.'
(Books + Publishing, Danielle Bagnato)
'...One Song deals with adolescent anxiety, first crushes, female friendship, and the joy of creativity, and is both moving and funny.'
(Kylie Northover, The Saturday Age, 16/9/23)
'Set over one chaotic weekend, this is a funny and insightful story about rock-god ambitions, misdirected romantic inclinations, and genuine teenage angst. It captures the desperate need to achieve something before you finish high school, along with some truly memorable moments, including a laugh-out-loud episode involving a dog ... Completely different from the author’s two previous dystopian novels, Hive and Rogue, this is a fresh, funny, and contemporary novel that will be adored by readers aged 14+.'
(Readings Melbourne, Angela Crocombe, senior buyer)
'There is so much to love about this riveting, page-turning book with clever twists and reveals throughout ... The book is beautifully written, with characters who are flawed and outrageous and normal and selfish and totally relatable – we care about them as we read and we think about them when we put the book down, IF we put the book down ... it’s spell-binding, spine-tingling stuff. This story is one for the ages. Actually, it’s one for ALL ages. So much to think about. So much to dive into. The perfect teenage story!'
(Kids Book Review)
'As this book was entirely realistic and non-fantastical, I wasn't sure if (my teenage son) Leo would like it. But he LOVED it! It's nearly 400 pages, and aimed at an older "young adult" audience. There's swearing and adolescent themes, it's character driven... and through it all thrums a joyous and musical energy. Leo thinks it's one of the best books he's read and even gone so far as to give it a 10/10 rating. High praise indeed! Wish I'd ordered more. But I'll be getting a heap more next week!'
(Cracked and Spineless, Richard)
'Full of music, funny and cringeworthy moments, and totally compelling. Loved it!'
(Dymocks Melbourne, Emma Leslie)
'Few writers understand the teenage mind the way Amanda does, and her ear for the language, for the pain, passions, angst and heartaches has a clear ring of authenticity.'
(Sarah McNeil, The Subiaco Post)
'So fun ... lets you live out that desire we all have around being in a band. The plotting is absolute perfection ... just so good. Highly, highly recommend.'
(Katherine Collette, The First Time podcast, 4/9/2023)
'A.J. Betts is an auto-read YA author for me. I've been a fan since Zac and Mia, and loved her dystopian books Hive and Rogue. And here is another gem of realistic high school fiction for young adults and fans of Triple J Unearthed. And all those adult Triple J tragics like me. Five teenagers who have nothing in common agree to lock themselves into a home studio until they finish the song. Throw in teenage angst, a dog, a couple of storms, a carton of beer, some sexual tension and a period drama and you are in for a wild ride to see if they get the song finished in time for the 5pm deadline. I loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'
(Festival Mavens)
(Books + Publishing, Danielle Bagnato)
'...One Song deals with adolescent anxiety, first crushes, female friendship, and the joy of creativity, and is both moving and funny.'
(Kylie Northover, The Saturday Age, 16/9/23)
'Set over one chaotic weekend, this is a funny and insightful story about rock-god ambitions, misdirected romantic inclinations, and genuine teenage angst. It captures the desperate need to achieve something before you finish high school, along with some truly memorable moments, including a laugh-out-loud episode involving a dog ... Completely different from the author’s two previous dystopian novels, Hive and Rogue, this is a fresh, funny, and contemporary novel that will be adored by readers aged 14+.'
(Readings Melbourne, Angela Crocombe, senior buyer)
'There is so much to love about this riveting, page-turning book with clever twists and reveals throughout ... The book is beautifully written, with characters who are flawed and outrageous and normal and selfish and totally relatable – we care about them as we read and we think about them when we put the book down, IF we put the book down ... it’s spell-binding, spine-tingling stuff. This story is one for the ages. Actually, it’s one for ALL ages. So much to think about. So much to dive into. The perfect teenage story!'
(Kids Book Review)
'As this book was entirely realistic and non-fantastical, I wasn't sure if (my teenage son) Leo would like it. But he LOVED it! It's nearly 400 pages, and aimed at an older "young adult" audience. There's swearing and adolescent themes, it's character driven... and through it all thrums a joyous and musical energy. Leo thinks it's one of the best books he's read and even gone so far as to give it a 10/10 rating. High praise indeed! Wish I'd ordered more. But I'll be getting a heap more next week!'
(Cracked and Spineless, Richard)
'Full of music, funny and cringeworthy moments, and totally compelling. Loved it!'
(Dymocks Melbourne, Emma Leslie)
'Few writers understand the teenage mind the way Amanda does, and her ear for the language, for the pain, passions, angst and heartaches has a clear ring of authenticity.'
(Sarah McNeil, The Subiaco Post)
'So fun ... lets you live out that desire we all have around being in a band. The plotting is absolute perfection ... just so good. Highly, highly recommend.'
(Katherine Collette, The First Time podcast, 4/9/2023)
'A.J. Betts is an auto-read YA author for me. I've been a fan since Zac and Mia, and loved her dystopian books Hive and Rogue. And here is another gem of realistic high school fiction for young adults and fans of Triple J Unearthed. And all those adult Triple J tragics like me. Five teenagers who have nothing in common agree to lock themselves into a home studio until they finish the song. Throw in teenage angst, a dog, a couple of storms, a carton of beer, some sexual tension and a period drama and you are in for a wild ride to see if they get the song finished in time for the 5pm deadline. I loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'
(Festival Mavens)