Catching Teller Crow

$22.99

FISH - Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health

A totally addictive ghost story, crime story and thriller, told half in prose and half in verse, from two of the most exciting Aboriginal voices in Australia.

WINNER: 2019 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, Young Adult

Nothing's been the same for Beth Teller since she died. Her dad, a detective, is the only one who can see and hear her - and he's drowning in grief. But now they have a mystery to solve together. Who is Isobel Catching, and what's her connection to the fire that killed a man? What happened to the people who haven't been seen since the fire? As Beth unravels the mystery, she finds a shocking story lurking beneath the surface of a small town, and a friendship that lasts beyond one life and into another.

Told in two unforgettable voices, this gripping novel interweaves themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family.

'Catching Teller Crow is an up-to-the-minute tale that goes straight to the heart of Australia's darkest history. Through poetry and story, with great sensitivity, the Kwaymullinas pick up and deal with subjects most authors in this country find too hot to touch. Terrible crimes lie at the centre here; viewed through the eyes of young women of unquenchable spirit, they can be approached, examined, and ultimately solved. This novel will turn gazes in the right direction, and make the caw of every crow more resonant.' MARGO LANAGAN

'A ghost story as well as a psychological thriller, Catching Teller Crow seamlessly weaves together the poetic and the everyday. A magnificent and life-giving novel.' JUSTINE LARBALESTIER

'A touching and original story about a dad who is learning how to grieve and a girl learning how to be dead. Together they work to solve the crimes denting holes in a small town. A richly informed novel by a deadly duo.' ELLEN VAN NEERVEN

'Distinctly Australian...A highly anticipated novel, Catching Teller Crow can be compared to Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones and E Lockhart's We Were Liars. This book will have a broad readership.' Karen Wyld, Books + Publishing, 5 STARS

'Combining taut, intricate thriller with ancient Indigenous tales and the darker side of Australian history, this is a deeply poignant and original novel.' The Guardian, UK

'An #ownvoices story that empowers its female heroines, giving them pride in their lineage and power in remembering.' STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews, US

'Superbly crafted.' The White Ravens list, International Youth Library Foundation, Germany

About the Authors
Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina are a brother-sister team of Aboriginal writers who come from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. They've worked together on a number of short novels and picture books. Catching Teller Crow is their first joint young adult novel. They believe in the power of storytelling to create a more just world.

About the Book

Paperback

Pages 208

Ages 14 -18

Awards

Listed Magical Realism category, Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education 2020 US; Shortlisted 11-14+ category, UKLA (UK Literary Association) Book Awards 2020 UK; Winner White Ravens title, International Youth Library Foundation 2019 DE; Shortlisted Griffith University Young Adult Book Award - Queensland Literary Awards 2019 AU; Shortlisted Long Work category, Norma K Hemming Award 2019 AU; Shortlisted Book of the Year for Older Children, ABIA Awards 2019 AU; Longlisted Book of the Year: Older Readers, CBCA Awards 2019 AU; Winner Writing for Young Adults category, Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2019 AU; Shortlisted Young Adult category, Indie Book Awards 2019 AU; Winner Best Young Adult Novel, Aurealis Awards 2018 AU