Darkest Night, Brightest Star

by Barry Jonsberg

What makes a good man? Morgan Pickford isn't sure yet, but he's doing his best to find out, even though it's complicated. A life-affirming YA novel about fractured families, tough talk, masculinity, finding friendship and overturning expectations from an internationally acclaimed, bestselling Australian author.

Two things that are true and one that is a
I think my mother is dead and alive.
I think if I work hard I will be very good at something.
I've tried to please my dad but I don't think I ever will.

Thirteen-year-old Morgan lives with his dad and his older brother, Mitch. He hasn't heard from his mum since she left when he was two. He works hard on his football skills, striving to meet his father's high expectations and 'be a man'.

But what that means isn't always clear-cut. When Morgan makes a friend at school, gets injured in a game, and his long-lost mum turns up, everything changes. Then, when he meets an old woman in need of help, Morgan must decide what kind of man he wants to be.

Shining a timely and much-needed light on different kinds of masculinity, Darkest Night, Brightest Star is a unique and compelling novel from a masterful storyteller.

Genres: Young Adult, Family, Friendship, Relationships, Middle Grade, LGBT

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2025

About the author

Barry Jonsberg is an Australian author and teacher originally from Liverpool, England. He holds degrees in English and Psychology from Liverpool University and moved to Australia in 1999. His debut novel, The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull, earned acclaim in 2005, and his follow-up, It’s Not All About YOU, Calma, won the 2006 South Australian Festival Award for Children’s Literature. Jonsberg has continued to receive numerous honors, including awards and shortlistings for Dreamrider, My Life as an Alphabet, A Little Spark, and Smoke & Mirrors, affirming his place in contemporary young adult literature.

Reviews

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about toxic masculinity and the fallout from the manosphere. Not sure who I would pitch it to ... the people who need it might not find it appealing!

CW: slut shaming, homophobia, toxic masculinity

Y9

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another topical cracker from this author.

[Clare Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I knew all about the darkest night but I also knew no star was ever going to appear."

I felt like this was simplistic and didactic. And Gray's friendship was utterly unrealistic. No one with self esteem, which Gray had, would put up with what Morgan did to him. Was it meant to contrast with what Morgan accepted from his Dad?

I'll see what my book group thinks next week.

[izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty. Like most YA it was bit cliched but I did love Morgan’s character development throughout the book and him finding his true identity, not one based off his dad

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting. What a charm this book was! I love the messages and the character's interactions. It's a tale about growing up surrounded by toxic role-models of masculinity and the main character, a 13-year-old boy named Morgan, trying to please his dad by going along with his grueling soccer training to become a pro player and find his place in the world.

The swearing, homophobia, casual misogyny and deep-rooted insecurity seen in the father and brother character is something that is unfortunately growing amongst Aussie youths, particulalry in young men. This book characterises these figures tastefully and maintains the message that these ideologies are harmful and negative while also keeping it realistic and telling a meaningful story.

The characters will stick with me long after reading. I treasure Morgan and Gray's friendship. Sometimes a shoulder to lean on is all you need to find your balance again.

[Nat White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting exploration of the challenges of being a teenage boy, especially when surrounded by nasty expectations of how to treat women and feeling outside of the academic world at school. Morgan’s world isn’t a very nice one and this shows him trying to find ways to navigate it. Jonsberg has written some great books developing interesting and unusual characters, although this one wouldn’t be my favourite.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Morgan lives with his dad and his older brother, Mitch. He hasn't heard from his mum since she left when he was two. He works hard on his football skills, striving to meet his father's high expectations and 'be a man'. But what that means isn't always clear-cut.

This was another powerful middle grade from Barry Jonsberg, this time covering the topic of toxic masculinity. I’m sure we’ve all seen glimpses of the scenarios covered here playing in real life.

Morgan was such a sweet, kind-hearted boy/young man, who just wanted to find his place in the world. My heart ached for him as I could see the toxicity eroding his experience with football. He had the talent for it, and it could’ve been something that brought tremendous joy for him but instead it was associated with too much negativity.

I loved following his coming-of-age journey here, especially seeing him building connections with unlikely ‘friends’ who didn’t fit his dad’s definition of being ‘manly’. This book made me feel and evaluate things. Loved it.

(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted review copy)

See my bookstagram review.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan's dad and older brother Mitch are prime examples of toxic masculinity in action. Morgan knows he doesn't want to work hard enough to be the 'best' footballer, but his dad has other ideas and Morgan isn't able to voice his thoughts. But when Morgan crosses paths with his mother (who he'd believed was dead), makes a friend in Gray, and is on the receiving end of his brother's bad temper, his behaviour changes to the point he begins to question what sort of person he really wants to be. Important themes are delivered well in this short junior YA novel. However I felt Morgan's mother felt more like a means to advance the plot rather than a character in her own right. A good book for school library collections.

[cornbunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very meaningful story about toxic masculinity that had me hooked from the first page.

this book is a bit of an everything burger in that it has the topics of homophobia, violence, slut shaming, absent parents, poor mental health/suicide ideation, dementia and of course toxic masculinity on top of all. theres a lot to take in!!
therefore, this couldve been a very heavy story but barry jonsberg wins by making it more digestible - it was not a super overwhelming book.

my heart did break for morgan as we see his father’s influence break into his life. i also hope he and gray’s friendship continues to grow and flourish.

all in all i loved this story!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan has a controlling, chauvinistic and aggressive father - toxic masculinity in droves - and is drilled to become a star soccer player. But his life is complicated and friendless until Gray takes him under his wing.

A compelling story of growing up, seeking your own identify and learning to express your thoughts and feelings. Short easy read with lots of messages.

CBCA 2026 Older Reader Notable title.
CBCA 2025 Older Reader Shortlist title.

[Wren Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely exploration of a protagonist we don’t get to hear from very often. Morgan was very well-written and I loved the way the author explored his navigation of his own developing values in opposition to his father and brothers’.

I think I have a better understanding of some of my students after reading this book.

There were some threads left untied, but that’s life, I guess!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and revelant novel that shines a light on toxic masculinity and misogny.

Morgan must try and find his place in the world amongst the choas when his own beliefs are far from what his family believe and show.

A really important novel for young people to read.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Australian title diving straight into ugliness of the misogynistic world of a young boy growing up with his father and brother. Struggling with the expectations of that world he has to hit the bottom before he can start working his way to finding himself. Some quite confronting stuff but an important read.

[angeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars

This was so good!! Something about it really called to me, and I could not stop reading once I picked it up. It's a quiet book, but full of so many emotional and poignant moments. I can see this on a required reading list for young teenagers - in fact it should be.

Received as a gift from Allen & Unwin, but all opinions are my own.

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and thoughtful book, with a stunningly inarticulate main character that my heart bled for.

However, it was also overly "issues" based, with subjects like gayness, toxic masculinity, dementia care, absent parents, working class culture all touched upon ... so basically about 3 books in one, which felt like over-egging the pudding somewhat.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great YA novel about living in a house brimming with toxic masculinity, yet told with an essence of sensitivity. Beautiful young narrator trying to find his voice and his place amongst it all.

Read by Suzie

[Caroline Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favourite authors and although he has created yet another loveable main character here, I didn't get enough of his usual heartwarming moments. I was really quite depressed and wanted to change so much about what Morgan experienced. Heartbreaking.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is not altogether an easy read. There is pathos and heart but it takes some time to find. Life is not easy for some kids and Morgan has more than enough o deal with as a 13 year old. I did enjoy it by the end. But definitely more suited to late than early teens I think.

[Somee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barry Jonsberg is one of my favourite authors. He has a deep understanding of different people - well, in the end, aren't we all different? That is an amazing thing about a living thing. Barry helps readers see that. He shows such empathy and love for all human kinds.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent YA realistic fiction. Short chapters, a compelling storyline with realistic, believable characters will make this a popular choice with our Middle School readers. An excellent exploration of toxic masculinity.

[Suzie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great YA novel about living in a house brimming with toxic masculinity, yet told with an essence of sensitivity. Beautiful young narrator trying to find his voice and his place amongst it all.

[Fiona R · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

[hayles!! · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a lot to say about toxic masculinity

[icyyc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for a reading challenge for school. Never in a million years expected it to be this deep and left such an impression.

I want to read it again at some point. It appears simple, with easy language and plot, and it is indeed targeted at teenagers, but MORE ADULTS NEED TO READ THIS. Especially parents.

Spoilers incoming but this book would be equally good regardless if you get spoiled or not.

Morgan is a teenage boy struggling with depression due to family issues, most notably, his dad. His dad is this peculiar character who is homophobic, sexist, racist, anti-intellectual, problematic to the extreme. He's like the biggest Republican out there. And this rubs off on Morgan's older brother. His brother holds a lot of their dad's opinions, and is violent (towards everyone, but especially towards Morgan). Morgan suffers depression as a result of this but meets a friend, Gray, who empathized with Morgan and helped him out of his situation. Gray's kindness left a mark on Morgan and he starts to show so much more kindness to the world around him, and receive kindness and gratitude back.

Eventually at the end of the story Morgan is in full awareness of all his father's messed up behavior, but still chose to stay, to help him grow out of his extreme beliefs. The act was so noble of Morgan that I was in utter disbelief when he chose to stay. Even when practically his whole life had been ruined by his father, Morgan still chose to show kindness to him and support and love him, instead of hating him for the rest of his life, which was what I probably would have done if I were in his situation.

This made me really reflect on whether or not I have been treating the people around me too cruelly, complaining too much, not being grateful of what I have but getting angry of everything that could have went my way, but didn't. This book reminded me that kindness can often go without a price, kindness is shared, and is received so well in other people's lives.

Genuinely loved, loved this book. Cried over the lemon trees (ifkyk omg). Would recommend to every living soul.