Description
A tale of three characters who grapple with identity and sexuality in a small town in rural Australia. On the surface, Lou seems calm, organised and studious. But when Hayden Ramona moves to her school, she's forced to face what she's been hiding from all these years. Hayden Ramona didn't get much choice about moving to this town. But now he's here, he's going to enjoy his new found freedom. What he didn't expect was to have to deal with such a judgemental, small minded town. But then he meets Flynn and realises maybe the town isn't so bad after all. Annie McLean knew returning to high school as a teacher who transitioned wouldn't be easy. But she didn't know just how challenging it could get. Better than Sticks explores the complexities of what it's like existing in a rural town who still holds damaging ideologies to heart. It has strong themes of finding yourself, community and family Snippet: Feet smack the concrete nearby. I hold my breath. Another minute passes. Then another. And another. The night is eerily quiet. I'm alone. "How long are you planning on laying there?" a dry voice asks. I nearly leap out of my skin. I quickly drag my ass out of the bush and whip my head around. "Who's there?" A black shadow moves by the front steps of the house. "Why the fuck are you sitting there like a creep in the dark?" I demand. "And why are you hiding in a bush like some creep?" the voice asks back, matching my tone. I turn my phone torch on. A person with long brown hair in a grey hoodie sits upon the top step. They look my age. Actually, they look a tad familiar. "Wait, you're in my maths class, aren't you?" I ask. They stare back at me for a moment, then nod. "I'm Lou. Why were you hiding in our bush?" "Um, admiring the bugs?" I ask. She gives me a deadpan look. "There's some great creepy crawlies at nighttime." "Is this a hobby of yours then?" "What? Admiring bugs?" "No. Trespassing."
Authors note
