What do you think?
Rate this book
The Yearbook Committee
'SMART, FUNNY AND RELEVANT'- Melina Marchetta, bestselling author Looking for Alibrandi and Saving Francesca
Five teenagers. Five lives. One final year.
The school Ryan has it all ... or at least he did, until an accident snatched his dreams away. How will he rebuild his life and what does the future hold for him now?
The Charlie's just moved interstate and she's determined not to fit in. She's just biding her time until Year 12 is over and she can head back to her real life and her real friends ...
The At school, nobody really notices Matty. But at home, Matty is everything. He's been single-handedly holding things together since his mum's breakdown, and he's never felt so alone.
The popular Well, the popular girl's best friend ... cool by association. Tammi's always bowed to peer pressure, but when the expectations become too much to handle, will she finally stand up for herself?
The politician's Gillian's dad is one of the most recognisable people in the state and she's learning the hard way that life in the spotlight comes at a very heavy price.
Five unlikely teammates thrust together against their will. Can they find a way to make their final year a memorable one or will their differences tear their world apart?
Five teenagers. Five lives. One final year.
The school Ryan has it all ... or at least he did, until an accident snatched his dreams away. How will he rebuild his life and what does the future hold for him now?
The Charlie's just moved interstate and she's determined not to fit in. She's just biding her time until Year 12 is over and she can head back to her real life and her real friends ...
The At school, nobody really notices Matty. But at home, Matty is everything. He's been single-handedly holding things together since his mum's breakdown, and he's never felt so alone.
The popular Well, the popular girl's best friend ... cool by association. Tammi's always bowed to peer pressure, but when the expectations become too much to handle, will she finally stand up for herself?
The politician's Gillian's dad is one of the most recognisable people in the state and she's learning the hard way that life in the spotlight comes at a very heavy price.
Five unlikely teammates thrust together against their will. Can they find a way to make their final year a memorable one or will their differences tear their world apart?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2016
32 people are currently reading
2037 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Ayoub
7 books133 followersSarah Ayoub is a freelance journalist and author based in Sydney.
Her work has appeared in Marie-Claire, Sunday Style, Cosmopolitan, CLEO, Girlfriend and more, and she has spoken at numerous industry events with The Walkley Foundation, Emerging Writer's Festival, Vibewire, NSW Writer's Centre and more.
Sarah conducts writing workshops at secondary schools around NSW and blogs about her writing, inspirations and wanderlust at www.sarahayoub.com.
She loves cake, handbags, high tea and Paris.
Her work has appeared in Marie-Claire, Sunday Style, Cosmopolitan, CLEO, Girlfriend and more, and she has spoken at numerous industry events with The Walkley Foundation, Emerging Writer's Festival, Vibewire, NSW Writer's Centre and more.
Sarah conducts writing workshops at secondary schools around NSW and blogs about her writing, inspirations and wanderlust at www.sarahayoub.com.
She loves cake, handbags, high tea and Paris.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
July 21, 2016
Oh, look at what I found in my Kindle limbo! Alright, given that it's been stuck at 34% since March, I think I can say that it never managed to interest me. Oops.
May 23, 2018
THIS BOOK IS SO INCREDIBLE AND UNDERRATED BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH PEOPLE GO READ IT!
I absolutely LOVE the trope of a random assortment of people being put together in a group with no similar interests. I get that is a very specific category, but if you guys have any more of them, please let me know, because I need more of this in my life.
I also LOVE that the story was from 5 different points of view. I loved learning about each of the unique characters, and I love that the author so clearly distinguished between them and I was never confused, and I loved how they all came together.
Also: The characters are all so unique, and at different times they were All. So. Relatable. There's a character for everyone! I like to think I could see myself most in Gillian, and there were passages like this:
He gives me a look that says 'I told you so', then opens up his textbook. I open mine too and wonder why algebra makes more sense than my own life.
That had me nodding in agreement.
But then ending. You really have to read this book to understand. This is a big reason the review took so long in the making, as I am still emotionally recovering from this book.
It was just so good and all the characters were great and the friendships were so awesome! THE FRIENDSHIPS FORMED IN THIS BOOK ARE SO INCREDIBLE HONESTLY GUYS!
But you should definitely all read it, I love it so much!
I absolutely LOVE the trope of a random assortment of people being put together in a group with no similar interests. I get that is a very specific category, but if you guys have any more of them, please let me know, because I need more of this in my life.
I also LOVE that the story was from 5 different points of view. I loved learning about each of the unique characters, and I love that the author so clearly distinguished between them and I was never confused, and I loved how they all came together.
Also: The characters are all so unique, and at different times they were All. So. Relatable. There's a character for everyone! I like to think I could see myself most in Gillian, and there were passages like this:
He gives me a look that says 'I told you so', then opens up his textbook. I open mine too and wonder why algebra makes more sense than my own life.
That had me nodding in agreement.
But then ending. You really have to read this book to understand. This is a big reason the review took so long in the making, as I am still emotionally recovering from this book.
It was just so good and all the characters were great and the friendships were so awesome! THE FRIENDSHIPS FORMED IN THIS BOOK ARE SO INCREDIBLE HONESTLY GUYS!
But you should definitely all read it, I love it so much!
January 22, 2018
Touted by many as The Breakfast Club of this generation, the fact that this story focuses on five different stereotypes of high-school students wrangled into a project against their will does attempt to back this notion up. But when it comes to heart, dialogue, story, humour, and overall enjoyment, this book is sadly lacking.
While it aims to be a heartwarming and cautionary tale and attempts to deal with crucial teenage stressors like fat-shaming parents, mental health, Down syndrome, online bullying (as well as the real-world sort), moving cities and leaving all your friends behind, peer pressure, drug use and so on, it honestly felt like the author was trying to cover too many bases
Somehow, in telling so many things at once, and with an awful lot of coincidences if you ask me, the lessons in this story were rendered cheap and preachy.
But a few other things helped bring down my rating.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
While it aims to be a heartwarming and cautionary tale and attempts to deal with crucial teenage stressors like fat-shaming parents, mental health, Down syndrome, online bullying (as well as the real-world sort), moving cities and leaving all your friends behind, peer pressure, drug use and so on, it honestly felt like the author was trying to cover too many bases
Somehow, in telling so many things at once, and with an awful lot of coincidences if you ask me, the lessons in this story were rendered cheap and preachy.
But a few other things helped bring down my rating.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
June 18, 2017
This book has come out of nowhere, sucker punched me, and left my stingy-with-stars-self unable to rate this book anything other than five big fat well deserved stars.
Where to start? This is an under-stated, subtle, and sophisticated novel about a group of five young people in their last year of high school, all of whom finds themselves of the yearbook committee. These aren't people who would usually hang out, or even talk, but over the course of the year we see their respect and concern for each other grow until, by the end, there is no doubt that they are friends.
The world of Ayoub's book is a mirror to the diversity and multiculturalism of Australian life. We have young people in nuclear families, young people in single parent families, young people in blended families, young people being raised by grandparents. We have people from Italian heritage, from Greek heritage, from Palestinian heritage... I could go on and on. As with Looking for Alibrandi, a book this one will undoubtedly be compared to, this diversity provides a backdrop of contemporary Australia, but that isn't the story. As with Alibrandi , the story is about five young people finding themselves and their place in the world. How do you find your place in the world when, in a split second, your dreams and everything you've worked for is lost? How do you find your place when you have to leave your home, your friends, and your school to start fresh? How can you find yourself when you are busy juggling school and two jobs because your parent is experiencing a major depressive state and can't leave the house?
The young people in this book struggle with pressure. Over and over Ayoub shows us the pressure these young people experience. Pressure to be thin, pressure to do well at school, pressure to get a good ATAR, pressure to have sex, the pressure of familial obligations and expectations. But remember before that I said Ayoub was subtle? With these heavy themes it would be easy for the book to become claustrophic, but Ayoub writes with a light hand. That is not to say she doesn't treat her characters or themes with the respect they are due, but rather she understands that there is more to her characters than just those things. Along with the hard times, we see them have good times. We see them have fun. And Ayoub has some very VERY funny times. Charlie's bitchy snark is a joy to read (I rather think perhaps I saw too much of myself in Charlie at times) and there is a scene set in the year 12 retreat that is HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud more than once in this book. True story, no hyperbole.
But as you would expect with the themes this book covers, there are moments that are touching and moving. There was an unexpected moment late in the book that made me cry. So it's a book that made me laugh; it made me cry. I loved the characters; I loved the frank and accurate portrait of an Australia I recognise. I can't think of a single thing about this book that I didn't like.
Honestly, this is the best contemporary YA I've read in one heck of a time. Ayoub is one hell of a writer, and I'm already lining up her other book to read. I'm certain I'm going to be re-reading this one as well.
Where to start? This is an under-stated, subtle, and sophisticated novel about a group of five young people in their last year of high school, all of whom finds themselves of the yearbook committee. These aren't people who would usually hang out, or even talk, but over the course of the year we see their respect and concern for each other grow until, by the end, there is no doubt that they are friends.
The world of Ayoub's book is a mirror to the diversity and multiculturalism of Australian life. We have young people in nuclear families, young people in single parent families, young people in blended families, young people being raised by grandparents. We have people from Italian heritage, from Greek heritage, from Palestinian heritage... I could go on and on. As with Looking for Alibrandi, a book this one will undoubtedly be compared to, this diversity provides a backdrop of contemporary Australia, but that isn't the story. As with Alibrandi , the story is about five young people finding themselves and their place in the world. How do you find your place in the world when, in a split second, your dreams and everything you've worked for is lost? How do you find your place when you have to leave your home, your friends, and your school to start fresh? How can you find yourself when you are busy juggling school and two jobs because your parent is experiencing a major depressive state and can't leave the house?
The young people in this book struggle with pressure. Over and over Ayoub shows us the pressure these young people experience. Pressure to be thin, pressure to do well at school, pressure to get a good ATAR, pressure to have sex, the pressure of familial obligations and expectations. But remember before that I said Ayoub was subtle? With these heavy themes it would be easy for the book to become claustrophic, but Ayoub writes with a light hand. That is not to say she doesn't treat her characters or themes with the respect they are due, but rather she understands that there is more to her characters than just those things. Along with the hard times, we see them have good times. We see them have fun. And Ayoub has some very VERY funny times. Charlie's bitchy snark is a joy to read (I rather think perhaps I saw too much of myself in Charlie at times) and there is a scene set in the year 12 retreat that is HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud more than once in this book. True story, no hyperbole.
But as you would expect with the themes this book covers, there are moments that are touching and moving. There was an unexpected moment late in the book that made me cry. So it's a book that made me laugh; it made me cry. I loved the characters; I loved the frank and accurate portrait of an Australia I recognise. I can't think of a single thing about this book that I didn't like.
Honestly, this is the best contemporary YA I've read in one heck of a time. Ayoub is one hell of a writer, and I'm already lining up her other book to read. I'm certain I'm going to be re-reading this one as well.
July 26, 2016
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
I love how the Yearbook Committee captured a variety of experiences and relevant issues in teen life, from the pressure to succeed and have it all figured out, to complacency, bullying, feminism, popularity, disability, working to support your family and social media. It feels so incredibly relatable and current, especially the way social media is explored and how it affects everyone's lives.
Each of the 5 characters who make up the Yearbook Committee come from different walks of life, from the scholarship kid to the popular girl and jock to the girl from interstate. Although they hold wildly different opinions and attitudes to the school project, they form unlikely friendships and create a support network that they each come to rely on.
I loved how each and every character is well developed, with their own issues and aspirations and family life being explored. Tammi is the popular girl who is pushed around by her mean girl best friend and douche boyfriend who is pressuring her to have sex. Charlie is an opinionated feminist who is determine not to enjoy her new school so she can move back to Melbourne. Ryan is the school captain who is struggling to stay relevant due to his disability. Matty is a punk and a loner who is struggling with his mother's depression. And last but not least, Gillian is a popular blogger who is coping with her father's political career and pressure from her mother to stay skinny.
Each and every one of these characters felt real, with real life issues that we are dealing with today. The Yearbook Committee shows that it doesn't matter who you are, who your family is or what you put on social media - there's more than meets the eye and each and every one of us are dealing with our own issues.
My only issue is the rather sudden and unlikely dramatic moment at the end of the book which seemed a bit out of place. I feel like the feelings amd consequences as a result weren't dealt with in detail.
Another wonderful Aussie YA book that I recommend!
I love how the Yearbook Committee captured a variety of experiences and relevant issues in teen life, from the pressure to succeed and have it all figured out, to complacency, bullying, feminism, popularity, disability, working to support your family and social media. It feels so incredibly relatable and current, especially the way social media is explored and how it affects everyone's lives.
Each of the 5 characters who make up the Yearbook Committee come from different walks of life, from the scholarship kid to the popular girl and jock to the girl from interstate. Although they hold wildly different opinions and attitudes to the school project, they form unlikely friendships and create a support network that they each come to rely on.
I loved how each and every character is well developed, with their own issues and aspirations and family life being explored. Tammi is the popular girl who is pushed around by her mean girl best friend and douche boyfriend who is pressuring her to have sex. Charlie is an opinionated feminist who is determine not to enjoy her new school so she can move back to Melbourne. Ryan is the school captain who is struggling to stay relevant due to his disability. Matty is a punk and a loner who is struggling with his mother's depression. And last but not least, Gillian is a popular blogger who is coping with her father's political career and pressure from her mother to stay skinny.
Each and every one of these characters felt real, with real life issues that we are dealing with today. The Yearbook Committee shows that it doesn't matter who you are, who your family is or what you put on social media - there's more than meets the eye and each and every one of us are dealing with our own issues.
My only issue is the rather sudden and unlikely dramatic moment at the end of the book which seemed a bit out of place. I feel like the feelings amd consequences as a result weren't dealt with in detail.
Another wonderful Aussie YA book that I recommend!
May 3, 2016
Labeled as The Breakfast Club for the new generation, The Yearbook Committee was wonderfully written, engaging and most importantly, relevant.
The Rebel
The Newcomer. Charlie may seem as though she has a chip on her shoulder, but since moving to Sydney from Melbourne, she feels as though she doesn't belong. Her mother is pining for a new baby, while Charlie can't wait to finish the year at Holy Family and return home. She's determined not to form any sense of companionship with her peers, her goal of making a clean break to university at the end of the year within her grasp. I loved Charlie's couldn't care less attitude, being a teen is confusing enough without having your life moved interstate during your final year of school. She's an intelligent girl who isn't afraid to stand up for others and what she believes in.
The Jock
The School Captain. Ryan had it all. Popularity, friends and the envy of his team mates until his accident that ends his promising soccer career. Without leading his team to victory, Ryan feels lost and in need of direction. Ryan seemed to wallow in his own pity, he was agonising over his injury long after his team mates had moved on and achieved success without him. His character begins as a narcissistic teen but through his interactions with his fellow yearbook committee members, he begins to see that he is more than a failed sportsman.
The Loner
Matty's storyline was by far the most touching and emotional. He is seen as a loner, hiding behind is hood and shutting off the world around him with his music. But at home Matty is the breadwinner. He works to keep food on the table and the bills at bay, while his mother's depression slowly eats away at her, unable to seek treatment for an illness she refuses to recongnise.
The popular girl
Tammi isn't popular, but popular by association. Her supposed best friend being bully Lauren, a girl with a mean streak that isn't above belittling others simply for her own amusement. Tammi's boyfriend is now captain of the soccer team, taking the title from Ryan after his accident. But it's the expectations he places upon Tammi to take the next step in their relationship, pressuring her to have sex even though she's been transparent with her own expectations of needing a commitment before she's ready. With her father as a strict officer of the law, Tammi is forced to moonlight as a children's clown at parties, wanting to feel the independence of making her own money without her parents discovering her extra curricular activities.
I could tolerate Tammi, but was desperately wishing the meek and easily swayed girl would have spoken out against the blatant bullying. Her character was able to defy her parents, but not speak out against her peers. She was incredibly frustrating but yet an example of peer pressure that teens face to feel included and popular. Throughout most of our lives, we've all felt like a Tammi at one point or another, too intimidated to speak out against someone for the fear of being labelled as an outcast.
The good girl
On the surface, Gillian has her life together. She may not be popular or confident and is afraid to speak up against her bully, but she's an intelligent girl who understands the importance of her education. Gillian's father is a predominant politician, always under the spotlight and expects his family to be the model of perfection at all times. Gillian's mother isn't your average housewife, she herself is the vision of perfection and often comments on Gillian's weight, pressuring the teen and projecting her own dieting goals on her confidence lacking daughter. But Gillian is the only student on the committee of her own free will and will bring the group together to not only create a lasting memory of their final year but of the fleeting time they have with one another.
At the very core of The Yearbook Committee is a group of teens fumbling their way through their final year of school. They're humanly flawed and represent an understanding of the person behind the stereotype and labels we place upon one another. Even as an adult, we still relate to the same insecurities and pressure, making The Yearbook Committee an incredibly poignant and immersive read.
Sarah Ayoub is an author who can reach teens through a shared love of words, making them feel as though they are more than the labels and stereotypes that are placed upon them, but should not define them. Be prepared to fall in love, fall apart and you'll adore each and every moment.
The Rebel
The Newcomer. Charlie may seem as though she has a chip on her shoulder, but since moving to Sydney from Melbourne, she feels as though she doesn't belong. Her mother is pining for a new baby, while Charlie can't wait to finish the year at Holy Family and return home. She's determined not to form any sense of companionship with her peers, her goal of making a clean break to university at the end of the year within her grasp. I loved Charlie's couldn't care less attitude, being a teen is confusing enough without having your life moved interstate during your final year of school. She's an intelligent girl who isn't afraid to stand up for others and what she believes in.
The Jock
The School Captain. Ryan had it all. Popularity, friends and the envy of his team mates until his accident that ends his promising soccer career. Without leading his team to victory, Ryan feels lost and in need of direction. Ryan seemed to wallow in his own pity, he was agonising over his injury long after his team mates had moved on and achieved success without him. His character begins as a narcissistic teen but through his interactions with his fellow yearbook committee members, he begins to see that he is more than a failed sportsman.
The Loner
Matty's storyline was by far the most touching and emotional. He is seen as a loner, hiding behind is hood and shutting off the world around him with his music. But at home Matty is the breadwinner. He works to keep food on the table and the bills at bay, while his mother's depression slowly eats away at her, unable to seek treatment for an illness she refuses to recongnise.
The popular girl
Tammi isn't popular, but popular by association. Her supposed best friend being bully Lauren, a girl with a mean streak that isn't above belittling others simply for her own amusement. Tammi's boyfriend is now captain of the soccer team, taking the title from Ryan after his accident. But it's the expectations he places upon Tammi to take the next step in their relationship, pressuring her to have sex even though she's been transparent with her own expectations of needing a commitment before she's ready. With her father as a strict officer of the law, Tammi is forced to moonlight as a children's clown at parties, wanting to feel the independence of making her own money without her parents discovering her extra curricular activities.
I could tolerate Tammi, but was desperately wishing the meek and easily swayed girl would have spoken out against the blatant bullying. Her character was able to defy her parents, but not speak out against her peers. She was incredibly frustrating but yet an example of peer pressure that teens face to feel included and popular. Throughout most of our lives, we've all felt like a Tammi at one point or another, too intimidated to speak out against someone for the fear of being labelled as an outcast.
The good girl
On the surface, Gillian has her life together. She may not be popular or confident and is afraid to speak up against her bully, but she's an intelligent girl who understands the importance of her education. Gillian's father is a predominant politician, always under the spotlight and expects his family to be the model of perfection at all times. Gillian's mother isn't your average housewife, she herself is the vision of perfection and often comments on Gillian's weight, pressuring the teen and projecting her own dieting goals on her confidence lacking daughter. But Gillian is the only student on the committee of her own free will and will bring the group together to not only create a lasting memory of their final year but of the fleeting time they have with one another.
At the very core of The Yearbook Committee is a group of teens fumbling their way through their final year of school. They're humanly flawed and represent an understanding of the person behind the stereotype and labels we place upon one another. Even as an adult, we still relate to the same insecurities and pressure, making The Yearbook Committee an incredibly poignant and immersive read.
Sarah Ayoub is an author who can reach teens through a shared love of words, making them feel as though they are more than the labels and stereotypes that are placed upon them, but should not define them. Be prepared to fall in love, fall apart and you'll adore each and every moment.
March 27, 2016
The premise of this book was somewhat promising. As a reader who loves young adult fiction and doesn't necessarily mind "typical" YA plot points, I thought I'd really enjoy this novel.
However, I was quickly proven wrong when Charlie, the self-proclaimed "killjoy feminist", was introduced, with the popular jock (Ryan), the popular-by-association girl (Tammi), the nerd (Gillian) and the loner (Matty) in tow. So many aspects of The Yearbook Committee early on put me off even finishing: the childish Facebook posts (nobody uses hashtags and LOL like that!) at the beginning of each chapter, the alternating narration (which did little for the emotional development between the reader and character), the stilted dialogue and undeveloped relationships...
Not to mention, Charlie's chapters seemed anything but feminist. She implicitly slut-shames the popular girls with their heels and short dresses, claiming she wished they'd fall over so she could have a laugh.
The only character's story I really gave half a care about was Matty's. He juggles a turbulent home life and multiple jobs to keep his distant mum and himself alive. His chapters seemed the most realistic and emotional.
Which says a lot about the other chapters. Every single chapter was just a privileged (probably with the exception of Matty) white teen whinging about life. I don't intend to come across as invalidating their experiences of very real issues (bullying, self-image, drug abuse), but this whole "my parents are loaded, but I want to be angry with the world" trope is not only irritatingly boring, but it's also a pretty inaccurate representation of teenagers.
Not all of us are gifted cars in high school. Not all of us are rewarded scholarships into prestigious private schools. Not all of us are white, heterosexual, cisgender, slut-shaming, able elites.
Sounds harsh, but, after reading The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis, I don't feel as though enough is done to ensure that a message came through by the last page. The only time a message is being expressed is at the end. Ryan goes on a philosophical monologue that sounds all too sudden and long-winded. Other than that, the end was unsatisfactory and I felt no sense of closure. All the plot lines were left dangling in the air. (I also think Gillian's minutes could've been used to squeeze some tears out of me at the end.)
To add to that, the style of writing in The Yearbook Committee sounded more appropriate to a younger audience, which didn't help the fact that the multiple issues explored in the book were more suited to an older demographic.
Such issues, including sexism, substance abuse, body image, family troubles and even death, require deep analysis, otherwise they aren't worth the trouble of writing. If so many serious problems are going to be involved, the reader should be able to come away from the book with something to think about. Otherwise, it just seems like a poorly fleshed-out scaffold of what could be a great novel.
I probably sound like I'm contradicting myself in terms of the social issues in the book, so basically here's what I mean:
1. The diversity in this book is not tremendous. There is one Lebanese boy who shows up for a grand total of two pages. There is a boy with Down Syndrome who is nothing more than a background character. Everyone else is either rich, white, in some other way privileged or all of the above.
2. While there is a lack of diversity in characters, a plethora of other issues (Death?! Mental illness?! Drink-spiking?!) are introduced. That being said, the novel barely skims the surface of these social problems. At most, a "feminist" is present in the book. She's annoying and pretty anti-feminist in my eyes.
I felt no chemistry between Ryan and Charlie. The yearbook committee as a whole didn't feel like a group of newly formed, REALISTIC friendships. A massive leap was taken between Matty's reluctance towards friendship and his buddy-buddy closeness to Charlie and Gillian.
Maybe the bar has been raised so high after reading The Sidekicks that my enjoyment of this book was not as tremendous as expected. Whatever the case, The Yearbook Committee is a nice, light read for early high school students, but could've reached a broader audience had the writing and plot been more developed. Two stars.
However, I was quickly proven wrong when Charlie, the self-proclaimed "killjoy feminist", was introduced, with the popular jock (Ryan), the popular-by-association girl (Tammi), the nerd (Gillian) and the loner (Matty) in tow. So many aspects of The Yearbook Committee early on put me off even finishing: the childish Facebook posts (nobody uses hashtags and LOL like that!) at the beginning of each chapter, the alternating narration (which did little for the emotional development between the reader and character), the stilted dialogue and undeveloped relationships...
Not to mention, Charlie's chapters seemed anything but feminist. She implicitly slut-shames the popular girls with their heels and short dresses, claiming she wished they'd fall over so she could have a laugh.
The only character's story I really gave half a care about was Matty's. He juggles a turbulent home life and multiple jobs to keep his distant mum and himself alive. His chapters seemed the most realistic and emotional.
Which says a lot about the other chapters. Every single chapter was just a privileged (probably with the exception of Matty) white teen whinging about life. I don't intend to come across as invalidating their experiences of very real issues (bullying, self-image, drug abuse), but this whole "my parents are loaded, but I want to be angry with the world" trope is not only irritatingly boring, but it's also a pretty inaccurate representation of teenagers.
Not all of us are gifted cars in high school. Not all of us are rewarded scholarships into prestigious private schools. Not all of us are white, heterosexual, cisgender, slut-shaming, able elites.
Sounds harsh, but, after reading The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis, I don't feel as though enough is done to ensure that a message came through by the last page. The only time a message is being expressed is at the end. Ryan goes on a philosophical monologue that sounds all too sudden and long-winded. Other than that, the end was unsatisfactory and I felt no sense of closure. All the plot lines were left dangling in the air. (I also think Gillian's minutes could've been used to squeeze some tears out of me at the end.)
To add to that, the style of writing in The Yearbook Committee sounded more appropriate to a younger audience, which didn't help the fact that the multiple issues explored in the book were more suited to an older demographic.
Such issues, including sexism, substance abuse, body image, family troubles and even death, require deep analysis, otherwise they aren't worth the trouble of writing. If so many serious problems are going to be involved, the reader should be able to come away from the book with something to think about. Otherwise, it just seems like a poorly fleshed-out scaffold of what could be a great novel.
I probably sound like I'm contradicting myself in terms of the social issues in the book, so basically here's what I mean:
1. The diversity in this book is not tremendous. There is one Lebanese boy who shows up for a grand total of two pages. There is a boy with Down Syndrome who is nothing more than a background character. Everyone else is either rich, white, in some other way privileged or all of the above.
2. While there is a lack of diversity in characters, a plethora of other issues (Death?! Mental illness?! Drink-spiking?!) are introduced. That being said, the novel barely skims the surface of these social problems. At most, a "feminist" is present in the book. She's annoying and pretty anti-feminist in my eyes.
I felt no chemistry between Ryan and Charlie. The yearbook committee as a whole didn't feel like a group of newly formed, REALISTIC friendships. A massive leap was taken between Matty's reluctance towards friendship and his buddy-buddy closeness to Charlie and Gillian.
Maybe the bar has been raised so high after reading The Sidekicks that my enjoyment of this book was not as tremendous as expected. Whatever the case, The Yearbook Committee is a nice, light read for early high school students, but could've reached a broader audience had the writing and plot been more developed. Two stars.
May 2, 2023
First read: May 2nd 2016
Re-read: May 3rd 2023
five teenagers, five lives, one final year.
This book has gone on my list of one of the best books i've read in 2016, from page one i was hooked and i loved every single page i was so glad i was busy so it took me longer to read because i just wanted to take as long as i possibly could so the book never ended that's how much i loved it. Sarah did an amazing job at writing from not just one perspective but five different individual perspectives which in itself is a difficult thing to do but she managed to pull it off.
I loved the fact i loved each of the five characters there wasn't one character that i didn't like reading from, they all had their own voices and individual qualities that made me understand and develop along with each character as the story progressed. I usually pick a favourite character from a book but in this novel it was very hard because i love all five characters because they were real and honest.
I loved how each character was getting pushed to realise a specific thing that was blinding them but everyone else could see it, so all the characters helped and got them to that stage of seeing it for themselves. I feel like every single character got their beginning, middle and end, all the characters at the start of the story were different to the ones that were there at the end of the story.
So i may or may not have cried a little when i found out about a characters certain death it was like a kick in the gut because this character was my top favourite one. I want more with these character's i don't care if its them in university but it feels like i've said goodbye to five new friends that i've made.
Re-read: May 3rd 2023
five teenagers, five lives, one final year.
This book has gone on my list of one of the best books i've read in 2016, from page one i was hooked and i loved every single page i was so glad i was busy so it took me longer to read because i just wanted to take as long as i possibly could so the book never ended that's how much i loved it. Sarah did an amazing job at writing from not just one perspective but five different individual perspectives which in itself is a difficult thing to do but she managed to pull it off.
I loved the fact i loved each of the five characters there wasn't one character that i didn't like reading from, they all had their own voices and individual qualities that made me understand and develop along with each character as the story progressed. I usually pick a favourite character from a book but in this novel it was very hard because i love all five characters because they were real and honest.
I loved how each character was getting pushed to realise a specific thing that was blinding them but everyone else could see it, so all the characters helped and got them to that stage of seeing it for themselves. I feel like every single character got their beginning, middle and end, all the characters at the start of the story were different to the ones that were there at the end of the story.
So i may or may not have cried a little when i found out about a characters certain death it was like a kick in the gut because this character was my top favourite one. I want more with these character's i don't care if its them in university but it feels like i've said goodbye to five new friends that i've made.
July 6, 2021
I appreciate what the author was trying to do here, but the execution falls flat. The plot is thinly drawn without much development and the characters similar, but mostly it's the writing that feels unpolished and thus fails to take off.
There are definitely some high points and heartfelt moments, and as with any Australian YA novel I appreciate the realism and connection that's hard to find anywhere else, but overall The Yearbook Committee fails to live up to it's potential.
There are definitely some high points and heartfelt moments, and as with any Australian YA novel I appreciate the realism and connection that's hard to find anywhere else, but overall The Yearbook Committee fails to live up to it's potential.
March 26, 2016
Look, I should not have been surprised by that ending considering the gloom and doom of the prologue, but everything in-between was so delightful, shippy, and laugh-out-loud-worthy that I was unprepared.
March 3, 2016
This review also appears on my blog, Reading with Jenna.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Yearbook Committee is the new release of Aussie author, Sarah Ayoub. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the launch party in Sydney and have Sarah sign my copy of the book! The Yearbook Committee is a wonderful depiction of high school life in the inner west of Sydney. It’s written from the perspectives of five very different students who all attend an elite private school, and are thrown together to create the 2016 yearbook. Working together forces them to learn new things about themselves and the world, and create new bonds that will last forever.
This is very much a character-driven novel. I loved our core cast of characters and I thoroughly enjoyed following them on their journeys of self-development. We have Charlie, the smart and outspoken feminist of the group, who is determined to hate Sydney after being forced to move from Melbourne with her mum and stepdad. She quickly finds herself clashing with Ryan, the school captain, who is struggling to find himself after an accident causes him to lose the thing that defined him and his future. Also part of the yearbook committee is Tammi, the popular girl’s best friend, who doesn’t have any control over her own life. She’s pushed around by her best friend, her boyfriend and her father, and isn’t allowed to be who she wants to be. We also have the politician’s daughter, Gillian, who struggles with the spotlight that’s always on her and her family. She is constantly criticised and bullied because of her public presence. And finally, there’s Matty, the scholarship kid who doesn’t really fit in with the rich kids who attend the school. He works multiple jobs while he waits for his mother to snap out of her breakdown. But it’s been months and she doesn’t seem to be getting better…
Despite there being five different perspectives, I enjoyed all of them and how different each character was. Their personalities definitely come through in the writing and their voices. Their voices were distinct and it never felt like they were the same person. I also liked the multiple perspectives because I thought it was extremely interesting to see what they thought of each other, and how it differed to how I viewed them, especially at the beginning. I also appreciated that the book was never repetitive, despite having so many perspectives. It wasn’t the same story written from the points of view of five different people; it was five different stories that converged into one.
I loved the friendships that formed in the book. The five committee members start off as strangers and I loved being about to see them forming bonds and opening up to each other, especially because some of the characters didn’t really have any friends prior to being on the committee. I loved how much the characters were able to learn from each other and that they were able to use these new experiences to further develop their own identity. There were some time skips in the book, which at times made it difficult to see the full development of the friendships, but it never felt like things were happening too quickly or suddenly. I thought the author used the formatting of the book superbly to fill in the gaps. There were detailed notes about each committee meeting that helped fill the holes in our knowledge and I really liked those pages.
Besides the characters coming together as a result of working on the yearbook, there is actually very little focus on the yearbook itself. We don’t really see the characters work on it very much, which I actually preferred because the characters’ personal stories and journeys were so captivating. I enjoyed everything that I read. Everything felt realistic and the depiction of high school life was so accurate that I couldn’t help but connect with everyone’s stories. There were a couple of things that I wish had been resolved a little bit more. I kind of felt like I was left hanging about a couple of things that happened at the end of the book, but I didn’t mind the open endings that much because life goes on.
This is a wonderful Australian YA novel that I can confidently recommend to everybody. It’s completely relatable and has a cast of fantastic characters that will capture your heart from the very beginning.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Yearbook Committee is the new release of Aussie author, Sarah Ayoub. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the launch party in Sydney and have Sarah sign my copy of the book! The Yearbook Committee is a wonderful depiction of high school life in the inner west of Sydney. It’s written from the perspectives of five very different students who all attend an elite private school, and are thrown together to create the 2016 yearbook. Working together forces them to learn new things about themselves and the world, and create new bonds that will last forever.
This is very much a character-driven novel. I loved our core cast of characters and I thoroughly enjoyed following them on their journeys of self-development. We have Charlie, the smart and outspoken feminist of the group, who is determined to hate Sydney after being forced to move from Melbourne with her mum and stepdad. She quickly finds herself clashing with Ryan, the school captain, who is struggling to find himself after an accident causes him to lose the thing that defined him and his future. Also part of the yearbook committee is Tammi, the popular girl’s best friend, who doesn’t have any control over her own life. She’s pushed around by her best friend, her boyfriend and her father, and isn’t allowed to be who she wants to be. We also have the politician’s daughter, Gillian, who struggles with the spotlight that’s always on her and her family. She is constantly criticised and bullied because of her public presence. And finally, there’s Matty, the scholarship kid who doesn’t really fit in with the rich kids who attend the school. He works multiple jobs while he waits for his mother to snap out of her breakdown. But it’s been months and she doesn’t seem to be getting better…
Despite there being five different perspectives, I enjoyed all of them and how different each character was. Their personalities definitely come through in the writing and their voices. Their voices were distinct and it never felt like they were the same person. I also liked the multiple perspectives because I thought it was extremely interesting to see what they thought of each other, and how it differed to how I viewed them, especially at the beginning. I also appreciated that the book was never repetitive, despite having so many perspectives. It wasn’t the same story written from the points of view of five different people; it was five different stories that converged into one.
On either side of me, Gillian and Matty reach out and grab a hand each, like guardian angels. And the tears give way to a smile, because I finally feel my worth for the first time in ages.
I loved the friendships that formed in the book. The five committee members start off as strangers and I loved being about to see them forming bonds and opening up to each other, especially because some of the characters didn’t really have any friends prior to being on the committee. I loved how much the characters were able to learn from each other and that they were able to use these new experiences to further develop their own identity. There were some time skips in the book, which at times made it difficult to see the full development of the friendships, but it never felt like things were happening too quickly or suddenly. I thought the author used the formatting of the book superbly to fill in the gaps. There were detailed notes about each committee meeting that helped fill the holes in our knowledge and I really liked those pages.
Who knew that after all those meetings, the five of us would not only accomplish what we set out to do but become better people just by knowing and learning from each other?
Besides the characters coming together as a result of working on the yearbook, there is actually very little focus on the yearbook itself. We don’t really see the characters work on it very much, which I actually preferred because the characters’ personal stories and journeys were so captivating. I enjoyed everything that I read. Everything felt realistic and the depiction of high school life was so accurate that I couldn’t help but connect with everyone’s stories. There were a couple of things that I wish had been resolved a little bit more. I kind of felt like I was left hanging about a couple of things that happened at the end of the book, but I didn’t mind the open endings that much because life goes on.
This is a wonderful Australian YA novel that I can confidently recommend to everybody. It’s completely relatable and has a cast of fantastic characters that will capture your heart from the very beginning.
January 1, 2021
The Yearbook Committee is being described as this generation’s The Breakfast Club and I can see why! The setting for this novel takes place in a private school. Five Year 12 students are thrown together onto the yearbook committee and we get to read about their progress over the entire school year.
The story is told from the perspective of each of the members of the yearbook committee who are all dealing with their own personal issues while they are completing their final year of high school. Despite the fact that almost none of them are on the committee by choice they gradually form friendships with each other and put together a pretty amazing yearbook.
The Yearbook Committee tackles some serious issues. Bullying is a major theme, and it’s the kind of insidious, relentless gossip that is unfortunately far too common among females. It can be so difficult to pinpoint or deal with and I think Ayoub did a brilliant job of depicting it realistically. This kind of bullying has always been around in high schools (and some workplaces!), but it can be so much worse when it moves online. The problem with the internet is that everything on it is permanent and public. So, unlike the pre-internet days when you could go home from school and it didn’t exist bullying now follows teenagers everywhere they go, even when they graduate! Apologies for the rant here, but it’s a subject dear to my Internet Communications geek heart. Getting back on topic, brilliant job by the author to raise such an important issue in the language that teenagers will pay attention to!
This novel also tackles such issues as family and peer pressure, mental illness, self-esteem issues, gender stereotyping and questions about friendships, decency and life after school. And it is all presented in a non-preachy and brilliant story with interesting and well-developed characters that teenagers and YA fans will fall in love with. Bonus points from me because it was set in Sydney with many references to my hometown, Melbourne. And yes, Charlie should definitely visit Lord of the Fries when she goes to Melbourne for the weekend, but not with Pete because he’s a jerk!
Originally posted at https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
The story is told from the perspective of each of the members of the yearbook committee who are all dealing with their own personal issues while they are completing their final year of high school. Despite the fact that almost none of them are on the committee by choice they gradually form friendships with each other and put together a pretty amazing yearbook.
The Yearbook Committee tackles some serious issues. Bullying is a major theme, and it’s the kind of insidious, relentless gossip that is unfortunately far too common among females. It can be so difficult to pinpoint or deal with and I think Ayoub did a brilliant job of depicting it realistically. This kind of bullying has always been around in high schools (and some workplaces!), but it can be so much worse when it moves online. The problem with the internet is that everything on it is permanent and public. So, unlike the pre-internet days when you could go home from school and it didn’t exist bullying now follows teenagers everywhere they go, even when they graduate! Apologies for the rant here, but it’s a subject dear to my Internet Communications geek heart. Getting back on topic, brilliant job by the author to raise such an important issue in the language that teenagers will pay attention to!
This novel also tackles such issues as family and peer pressure, mental illness, self-esteem issues, gender stereotyping and questions about friendships, decency and life after school. And it is all presented in a non-preachy and brilliant story with interesting and well-developed characters that teenagers and YA fans will fall in love with. Bonus points from me because it was set in Sydney with many references to my hometown, Melbourne. And yes, Charlie should definitely visit Lord of the Fries when she goes to Melbourne for the weekend, but not with Pete because he’s a jerk!
Originally posted at https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
May 4, 2016
I received a copy of The Yearbook Committee from HarperCollins to review. I’ve never read a book by Sarah Ayoub before but this made me want to find more of her books.
A friend of mine told me this was like The Breakfast Club which I watched for the first time last year and didn’t like. But The Yearbook Committee was so much better than I was expecting.
The Yearbook Committee follows the five teens as they start their final year in high school and all the drama and stress that comes with it. Two of the teens are in the “popular” crowd and the other three aren’t bothered with popularity. What starts as an awkward and mostly reluctant group become unlikely friends as they work on the yearbook.
Through the book each teen faces something that they didn’t expect and they grow and change with the experience and new friendships. It’s like they’ve found the people that bring out the best in them and make them realise they matter. I liked all of the main characters, they had their flaws but doesn’t everyone?
Some things that happened were pretty obvious from the start but the ending was a bit of a shock. I didn’t see that coming at all.
I really enjoyed The Yearbook Committee and it was a very fast read for me. I didn’t want to put it down.
A friend of mine told me this was like The Breakfast Club which I watched for the first time last year and didn’t like. But The Yearbook Committee was so much better than I was expecting.
The Yearbook Committee follows the five teens as they start their final year in high school and all the drama and stress that comes with it. Two of the teens are in the “popular” crowd and the other three aren’t bothered with popularity. What starts as an awkward and mostly reluctant group become unlikely friends as they work on the yearbook.
Through the book each teen faces something that they didn’t expect and they grow and change with the experience and new friendships. It’s like they’ve found the people that bring out the best in them and make them realise they matter. I liked all of the main characters, they had their flaws but doesn’t everyone?
Some things that happened were pretty obvious from the start but the ending was a bit of a shock. I didn’t see that coming at all.
I really enjoyed The Yearbook Committee and it was a very fast read for me. I didn’t want to put it down.
June 4, 2016
Australian Breakfast Club. Interesting characters and their stories making my frozen heart melt.
If you have a whole shelf on your goodreads profile dedicated to Aussie authors then you definitely should read The Yearbook Committee. Things might be confusing at first, or at least until you figure out who's who. You get to follow 5 high-school students in their final year, trying to create content for their yearbook. Since I'm from Europe and we don't have those I found the whole process interesting. \_(ツ)_/¯
Sarah Ayoub ambushed me with her ending. It was bittersweet and it made me tear up for a second. Please, don't do that ever again!
I'm not going to reveal more because I was everyone to find things out for themselves.
If you have a whole shelf on your goodreads profile dedicated to Aussie authors then you definitely should read The Yearbook Committee. Things might be confusing at first, or at least until you figure out who's who. You get to follow 5 high-school students in their final year, trying to create content for their yearbook. Since I'm from Europe and we don't have those I found the whole process interesting. \_(ツ)_/¯
Sarah Ayoub ambushed me with her ending. It was bittersweet and it made me tear up for a second. Please, don't do that ever again!
I'm not going to reveal more because I was everyone to find things out for themselves.
April 10, 2017
"The yearbook committee had started out as a random bunch of people who walked the same halls, sat the same exams, shared the ordinary school experiences that became extraordinary as we learnt to look beyond one another's façade, Facebook profile picture, group of friends. Who knew after all those meetings, the five of us would not only accomplish what we set out to do, but become better people by knowing and learning from each other?"
This novel was so heartwarming. It felt a good feeling after you put it down each time. From all different backgrounds that you soon grow familiar with, you learn to watch each characters' POV and learn from it. What i loved most about it was that it leaves you with a little mystery of what happens next, and I really wish I could have seen how everything turned out for each of them at the end.
"As we evolve from children to adults, our outlooks change. Goal posts shift, strategies are altered, and the game gets a lot more demanding than we ever imagined it could be. And life suddenly becomes as unpredictable as a sand dune - one wrong choice and everything falls apart, drags you under."
From a girl who doesn't fit in anywhere, to a boy who's friends are melodies, rhythms and beats. From a captain who know longer commands his crew to a girl who is constantly pressured by friends and family. You get to understand these characters more than you'd like to, and I myself found that I could easily relate to the girl who is always second choice to her parents.
It was freaky the way Sarah Ayoub could fabricate such relatable characters, and strategically target them to a certain audience. An audience who could relate and understand these characters so easy, because some of us are living their lives.
After some tragic turn of events, I left this book crying.
"This is what the present is: when the sum of one person's past meets a world's collective future."
In the end, Ayoub left us with a incredible message that future readers should take to heart.
This novel was so heartwarming. It felt a good feeling after you put it down each time. From all different backgrounds that you soon grow familiar with, you learn to watch each characters' POV and learn from it. What i loved most about it was that it leaves you with a little mystery of what happens next, and I really wish I could have seen how everything turned out for each of them at the end.
"As we evolve from children to adults, our outlooks change. Goal posts shift, strategies are altered, and the game gets a lot more demanding than we ever imagined it could be. And life suddenly becomes as unpredictable as a sand dune - one wrong choice and everything falls apart, drags you under."
From a girl who doesn't fit in anywhere, to a boy who's friends are melodies, rhythms and beats. From a captain who know longer commands his crew to a girl who is constantly pressured by friends and family. You get to understand these characters more than you'd like to, and I myself found that I could easily relate to the girl who is always second choice to her parents.
It was freaky the way Sarah Ayoub could fabricate such relatable characters, and strategically target them to a certain audience. An audience who could relate and understand these characters so easy, because some of us are living their lives.
After some tragic turn of events, I left this book crying.
"This is what the present is: when the sum of one person's past meets a world's collective future."
In the end, Ayoub left us with a incredible message that future readers should take to heart.
March 6, 2016
The Yearbook Committee was one of my most anticipated releases of 2016, and it certainly did not disappoint.
We follow a group of five year 12 students, each dealing with their own issues- bullying, manipulative friends, a difficult home life, change in environment- and how they come together, at first with hostility, thrown together haphazardly to create a school yearbook, and later with empathy and compassion, friends in the best sense.
The other great aspect of this novel was it's deep sense of place. The Yearbook Committee is set in the Sydney suburbs, it doesn't shy away from the everyday life of a teenager in 2016. It embraces technology, the environment, emotional hardships, diversity of characters, and blends it all together perfectly.
I read the entire novel in one sitting. I barely moved because I was so wrapped up in these characters and their development, and when it was over I wanted to cry because their struggles and their losses weren't over, but they had friends to lean on, and I think that's one of the greatest lessons you can take away from any story.
We follow a group of five year 12 students, each dealing with their own issues- bullying, manipulative friends, a difficult home life, change in environment- and how they come together, at first with hostility, thrown together haphazardly to create a school yearbook, and later with empathy and compassion, friends in the best sense.
The other great aspect of this novel was it's deep sense of place. The Yearbook Committee is set in the Sydney suburbs, it doesn't shy away from the everyday life of a teenager in 2016. It embraces technology, the environment, emotional hardships, diversity of characters, and blends it all together perfectly.
I read the entire novel in one sitting. I barely moved because I was so wrapped up in these characters and their development, and when it was over I wanted to cry because their struggles and their losses weren't over, but they had friends to lean on, and I think that's one of the greatest lessons you can take away from any story.
April 26, 2016
I was pestered to read this book and boy-o-boy am I glad I did! I was so surprised by this book. Especially since the beginning was a little slow to get into, I didn't expect to connect with the characters and storyline so much.
The Yearbook Committee is told from the perspective of five VERY different teens that are all in - surprise, surprise - the yearbook committee. It follows their journey as they prepare the book, form friendship and survive through high school.
Each character is so different and I found myself drawn to several of them but there's definitely someone for everyone to connect with. The dialogue is a+ and although this book is heartbreaking at times, it was a pretty easy read. I love the friendships in this book!
THERE WAS A HUGE PLOT TWIST I didn't see coming and it broke me so bad. I had all the feels. So of course, I recommend this book to everyone who loves contemporary reads!
The Yearbook Committee is told from the perspective of five VERY different teens that are all in - surprise, surprise - the yearbook committee. It follows their journey as they prepare the book, form friendship and survive through high school.
Each character is so different and I found myself drawn to several of them but there's definitely someone for everyone to connect with. The dialogue is a+ and although this book is heartbreaking at times, it was a pretty easy read. I love the friendships in this book!
THERE WAS A HUGE PLOT TWIST I didn't see coming and it broke me so bad. I had all the feels. So of course, I recommend this book to everyone who loves contemporary reads!
May 13, 2017
I don't have a bullying shelf, which is interesting. This book deals with a range of issues, and I have tagged it 'diverse', which it explores in several different ways most realistically.
Oh yes there is bullying. And people standing up against it. Good to see. I loved all the characters, and was happy to see their growth, and their sense of identity develop.
But, there is sadness here too. And sweetness. And tragedy.
Oh yes there is bullying. And people standing up against it. Good to see. I loved all the characters, and was happy to see their growth, and their sense of identity develop.
But, there is sadness here too. And sweetness. And tragedy.
Read
February 24, 2025haha dnfed this coz i love sarah ayoubs other book but this was too stockstandard quirky stereotypical shut 5 kids in a room for me
August 7, 2016
This is the story of five year 12 kids who are forced to work together on their school yearbook, and how they gradually become friends over the course of the year. Essentially, it feels a lot like a 21st century Looking for Alibrandi. Which, honestly, I'm totally okay with. But I got that impression very early on in the story, and couldn't get past it.
It's about a group of teenagers finding themselves, dealing with family expectations, dealing with changing family situations, changing friendships and changing ideas about university. It's about realising that first impressions can be wrong, and that your parents don't always know what's best for you.
I don't think it will stick with me the same way that Looking for Alibrandi has, solely because there are five narrators instead of one, and as much as I loved all five of the characters, it's harder to connect with them than with a single narrator.
On the whole, it was funny and feelsy and I kind of loved it.
It's about a group of teenagers finding themselves, dealing with family expectations, dealing with changing family situations, changing friendships and changing ideas about university. It's about realising that first impressions can be wrong, and that your parents don't always know what's best for you.
I don't think it will stick with me the same way that Looking for Alibrandi has, solely because there are five narrators instead of one, and as much as I loved all five of the characters, it's harder to connect with them than with a single narrator.
On the whole, it was funny and feelsy and I kind of loved it.
November 21, 2019
3.5
I loved this book, it was incredible. I love books that have alternating perspectives and I found myself seriously addicted, not wanting to put it down. It was really cool to see all the different characters and storylines develope. The trope of random people ending up in the same group (the yearbook committee) was a fun one to read.
Charlie- (Not gonna lie, was my personal favourite). She's spirited, outspoken, wants equal rights and doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. At first, she was known as the new girl with the 'attitude problem' but she becomes the one that changes everyone around her for the better and the one that is looked up to.
Ryan- Popular, school captain and was the beast at soccer. He's Fun, funny and strives to achieve. He's the one in charge but as the story goes along shows he's soft side.
Gillian- Kind hearted, loving, optimistic. She was a victim of bullying but that never stopped her from living her life how she wanted to live it. Gotta admire her for that.
Tammi- The popular chick. She's nice, fun and it's cool to see how her personality spirals out throughout the book. She goes along with the popular group but learns how to stand up for herself.
Matty- The loner. He was really caring but felt like he had to go through his struggles on his own. There were some family secrets to be discovered leaving a sense of mystery. In the end, I loved him and I felt like he was part of the gang.
Praise to Sarah Ayoub She did an awesome job with this book I felt like the friendships in this novel was genuine and realistic. The Storylines were really well written and the characters seemed like real relatable teenagers.
I hope if you read this book you will absolutely love it, just like I did.
I loved this book, it was incredible. I love books that have alternating perspectives and I found myself seriously addicted, not wanting to put it down. It was really cool to see all the different characters and storylines develope. The trope of random people ending up in the same group (the yearbook committee) was a fun one to read.
Charlie- (Not gonna lie, was my personal favourite). She's spirited, outspoken, wants equal rights and doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. At first, she was known as the new girl with the 'attitude problem' but she becomes the one that changes everyone around her for the better and the one that is looked up to.
Ryan- Popular, school captain and was the beast at soccer. He's Fun, funny and strives to achieve. He's the one in charge but as the story goes along shows he's soft side.
Gillian- Kind hearted, loving, optimistic. She was a victim of bullying but that never stopped her from living her life how she wanted to live it. Gotta admire her for that.
Tammi- The popular chick. She's nice, fun and it's cool to see how her personality spirals out throughout the book. She goes along with the popular group but learns how to stand up for herself.
Matty- The loner. He was really caring but felt like he had to go through his struggles on his own. There were some family secrets to be discovered leaving a sense of mystery. In the end, I loved him and I felt like he was part of the gang.
Praise to Sarah Ayoub She did an awesome job with this book I felt like the friendships in this novel was genuine and realistic. The Storylines were really well written and the characters seemed like real relatable teenagers.
I hope if you read this book you will absolutely love it, just like I did.
March 11, 2016
Being my most anticipated release of 2016, there is no wonder I read it within a couple of days. Sarah Ayoub has pleased readers before with her novel Hate is Such a Strong Word and she has done it again with The Yearbook Committee. Based in Sydney, this new #LoveOzYA novel is an enjoyable read bursting with important issues and topics. It’s one of those contemporary books that goes above and beyond in creating a message and making it clear. This book not only defines societal issues but also provokes thought and stimulates the reader to want to make a change in today’s world. There’s no doubt that I walked away from this novel wanting to release my inner feminist and also change the way that mental illness is perceived in our world.
Starting with the characters, I believe that Ayoub really knows how to write from a teenager’s perspective (or from five teenage perspectives in this case). You’ve got:
Gillian: the politician’s daughter who is known for her enthusiasm
Tammi: the popular girl with a lot more to offer
Charlie: the strong-minded, new girl
Matty: the loner who is keeping his mum’s life together
Ryan: the school captain with a jeopardised future
All of the characters seem to have their own purpose and when brought together, they don’t want to have anything to do with each other. However, once they realise they are all unique in their own way, they begin to accept each other and begin on a journey which will make their last year of school the most memorable yet. Having such different personalities unite, gives the novel itself an eccentric voice. It has allowed Ayoub to really make an impact and cover many real-world topics, which you don’t often see in YA books. Yes, I do know this is changing now though, which is incredibly exciting!
Being set in Sydney definitely allows Australian readers to grasp the story and visualise it as if it was set in their home town. Whilst saying that, it’s also the type of novel that doesn’t restrict readers from other cities/countries visualising it since it is very much character based rather than setting based. I don’t live in Sydney and I haven’t visited the particular suburbs in which the book takes place however I still found it incredibly easy to create a world inside my head where it felt as though I could just walk around the town and meet the characters at the shopping centre for lunch.
Sarah Ayoub’s writing is what really separates this piece from other YA pieces. Her writing style is what I would call succinct and clear but also quite beautiful. It definitely reminds me of Melina Marchetta’s writing. She uses simple English to tell the story but very powerful words when it comes to the characters’ voices. I thought it would have been confusing to follow five different perspectives but thanks to the way Ayoub characterised the protagonists and gave them a different voice each, it was nowhere near confusing!
This novel is honestly near on flawless and the only thing I could say that sometimes got to me was when the characters didn’t sound like themselves. At different points I felt as though I was listening to the author make a straight out statement rather than the characters portraying their own ideals. As I said though, this is something very minor and does not at all deduct from the overall novel.
With all of that being said, if you want a powerful novel, fresh from an experienced Australian author, then go no further because you have found your perfect book. You will find yourself within the characters and follow them on their journey whilst feeling as though you’re there with them. Highlighting different issues from feminism to the wrongful use of social media, I highly suggest you pick up this novel because it carries with it a strong voice that is clearly determined to make a change in young peoples’ lives. What a stunning #LoveOzYA book!
Starting with the characters, I believe that Ayoub really knows how to write from a teenager’s perspective (or from five teenage perspectives in this case). You’ve got:
Gillian: the politician’s daughter who is known for her enthusiasm
Tammi: the popular girl with a lot more to offer
Charlie: the strong-minded, new girl
Matty: the loner who is keeping his mum’s life together
Ryan: the school captain with a jeopardised future
All of the characters seem to have their own purpose and when brought together, they don’t want to have anything to do with each other. However, once they realise they are all unique in their own way, they begin to accept each other and begin on a journey which will make their last year of school the most memorable yet. Having such different personalities unite, gives the novel itself an eccentric voice. It has allowed Ayoub to really make an impact and cover many real-world topics, which you don’t often see in YA books. Yes, I do know this is changing now though, which is incredibly exciting!
Being set in Sydney definitely allows Australian readers to grasp the story and visualise it as if it was set in their home town. Whilst saying that, it’s also the type of novel that doesn’t restrict readers from other cities/countries visualising it since it is very much character based rather than setting based. I don’t live in Sydney and I haven’t visited the particular suburbs in which the book takes place however I still found it incredibly easy to create a world inside my head where it felt as though I could just walk around the town and meet the characters at the shopping centre for lunch.
Sarah Ayoub’s writing is what really separates this piece from other YA pieces. Her writing style is what I would call succinct and clear but also quite beautiful. It definitely reminds me of Melina Marchetta’s writing. She uses simple English to tell the story but very powerful words when it comes to the characters’ voices. I thought it would have been confusing to follow five different perspectives but thanks to the way Ayoub characterised the protagonists and gave them a different voice each, it was nowhere near confusing!
This novel is honestly near on flawless and the only thing I could say that sometimes got to me was when the characters didn’t sound like themselves. At different points I felt as though I was listening to the author make a straight out statement rather than the characters portraying their own ideals. As I said though, this is something very minor and does not at all deduct from the overall novel.
With all of that being said, if you want a powerful novel, fresh from an experienced Australian author, then go no further because you have found your perfect book. You will find yourself within the characters and follow them on their journey whilst feeling as though you’re there with them. Highlighting different issues from feminism to the wrongful use of social media, I highly suggest you pick up this novel because it carries with it a strong voice that is clearly determined to make a change in young peoples’ lives. What a stunning #LoveOzYA book!
April 27, 2017
The Yearbook Committee is a beautiful story that encapsulates how people from different situations can come together (albeit unwilling), and can have their lives changed forever.
The story is told through five character perspectives, across nine months of the school year, and reveals the ups and down of teenage life and the experiences of living in contemporary Australia. The joy of reading Aussie books is recognising the locations and references, and Ayoub captures that Aussie feeling, our language and our culture, making this story feel natural and familiar.
Being a book about modern teenagers, there's naturally a lot of social media to include and Ayoub integrates technology and texting seamlessly and creatively. Each character shift is broken up with a Facebook style post and it sets the tone for not only the coming chapter, but it fits into the overall and arching story. Ayoub also ends each chapter with a hanging question, a moment or thought that can be profound or concerning. Each character is contemplating or observing and it's a great tactic; it finalises their chapter and can have such an impact on what has happened or what is going to happen.
There are characters you like immediately and certainly those you don't like for the entire novel. Then there are the few that grow on you as you read. The more Ayoub reveals about them and the more you get to know them your feelings shift until you grow to respect each one for who they are. Again, not everyone, some of them you want to kick in the face, those feelings don't change. One part that I loved was that so many characters connect with each other and overlap and they do not always know it. Friends of friends and relatives of others know one another and when you notice you realise how connected everyone is.
Getting to see each committee member's point of view is a powerful tool. You feel sorry for them all in varying degrees and certainly for various reasons. Their life outside of school is opened up and the different struggles and conflicts they face are laid bare, making you realise everyone has something to hide and problems of their own. The Tolstoy quote Gillian posts is a perfect example: All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Each of these characters is unhappy in their own way and sometimes these unhappinesses can break your heart.
Ayoub doesn't placate you with idealistic and fake endings; she offers you solutions and results, consequences and outcomes. And yet, there is also a delightful ambiguity remaining, taunting you with things left open and unanswered. Nothing that says there will be a happily ever after which is why, in those final emotional chapters when you can't stand it anymore but have to keep reading, Ayoub delivers a realistic and perfect conclusion, one that suits these characters you've grown to love, one that feels real, one that crushes your heart and is feels just right, even when you're trying not to cry.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
The story is told through five character perspectives, across nine months of the school year, and reveals the ups and down of teenage life and the experiences of living in contemporary Australia. The joy of reading Aussie books is recognising the locations and references, and Ayoub captures that Aussie feeling, our language and our culture, making this story feel natural and familiar.
Being a book about modern teenagers, there's naturally a lot of social media to include and Ayoub integrates technology and texting seamlessly and creatively. Each character shift is broken up with a Facebook style post and it sets the tone for not only the coming chapter, but it fits into the overall and arching story. Ayoub also ends each chapter with a hanging question, a moment or thought that can be profound or concerning. Each character is contemplating or observing and it's a great tactic; it finalises their chapter and can have such an impact on what has happened or what is going to happen.
There are characters you like immediately and certainly those you don't like for the entire novel. Then there are the few that grow on you as you read. The more Ayoub reveals about them and the more you get to know them your feelings shift until you grow to respect each one for who they are. Again, not everyone, some of them you want to kick in the face, those feelings don't change. One part that I loved was that so many characters connect with each other and overlap and they do not always know it. Friends of friends and relatives of others know one another and when you notice you realise how connected everyone is.
Getting to see each committee member's point of view is a powerful tool. You feel sorry for them all in varying degrees and certainly for various reasons. Their life outside of school is opened up and the different struggles and conflicts they face are laid bare, making you realise everyone has something to hide and problems of their own. The Tolstoy quote Gillian posts is a perfect example: All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Each of these characters is unhappy in their own way and sometimes these unhappinesses can break your heart.
Ayoub doesn't placate you with idealistic and fake endings; she offers you solutions and results, consequences and outcomes. And yet, there is also a delightful ambiguity remaining, taunting you with things left open and unanswered. Nothing that says there will be a happily ever after which is why, in those final emotional chapters when you can't stand it anymore but have to keep reading, Ayoub delivers a realistic and perfect conclusion, one that suits these characters you've grown to love, one that feels real, one that crushes your heart and is feels just right, even when you're trying not to cry.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
March 6, 2017
This is on the recently released longlist for the Inky Awards. I feel bad for not liking it. Maybe my brain is broken because everyone I follow gave it four or five stars. The cover gets 4 stars!
So bored with this. If it was a library book, I never would have finished. The cover was so pretty - regretting that purchase.
Five points of view and there was little to distinguish them. Five students who don't like each other, thrown together, entirely predictable that they'll help each other and finish the school year better for their friendship. Whatever. I didn't even care when the big tragedy happened. It was a shock, but
Most of the povs were wise beyond their years, sounding like an author telling readers: there's life after high school. Here's hoping it's more interesting!
This review is from my blig http://ofceilingwax.wordpress.com/201...
So bored with this. If it was a library book, I never would have finished. The cover was so pretty - regretting that purchase.
Five points of view and there was little to distinguish them. Five students who don't like each other, thrown together, entirely predictable that they'll help each other and finish the school year better for their friendship. Whatever. I didn't even care when the big tragedy happened. It was a shock, but
Most of the povs were wise beyond their years, sounding like an author telling readers: there's life after high school. Here's hoping it's more interesting!
This review is from my blig http://ofceilingwax.wordpress.com/201...
December 25, 2016
It's Christmas Day and I'm in a flood of tears. The Yearbook Committee just crept up and punched me in the feels.
This book gave me Breakfast Club vibes, but with a depth I wasn't prepared for. All the characters were well-written, with flaws and complexities. The dynamics between them were so interesting. I honestly was totally sucked into this high school world.
The thing that struck me the most about this book was that it tackled a lot of issues (bullying, parental neglect, mental illness, body image, drugs etc) but I never once felt like there was an adult behind the story shouting out moral advice.
The Yearbook Committee is authentic story-telling with a soul, and that takes skill.
This book gave me Breakfast Club vibes, but with a depth I wasn't prepared for. All the characters were well-written, with flaws and complexities. The dynamics between them were so interesting. I honestly was totally sucked into this high school world.
The thing that struck me the most about this book was that it tackled a lot of issues (bullying, parental neglect, mental illness, body image, drugs etc) but I never once felt like there was an adult behind the story shouting out moral advice.
The Yearbook Committee is authentic story-telling with a soul, and that takes skill.
March 5, 2016
Firstly, thanks to HarperCollins Australia for this review copy.
Review originally posted at Fiction in Fiction in Fiction
I remember someone once saying on Twitter how Aussie books are much more character driven than US books which are more plot driven. Melina Marchetta definitely comes to mind and I realise it’s the character driven books I love best. After reading The Yearbook Committee I can definitely say the characters have stuck with me.
What do you get when you combine a school captain who used to be star of the soccer team, a politician’s daughter who’s overly enthusiastic, an opinionated girl who hates Sydney, the popular girl’s best friend, a scholarship student from a poor background, and shove them onto the Yearbook Committee? Unwillingness to cooperate and absolute chaos that’s what. It’s bloody brilliant.
The first character we’re introduced to is Charlie who’s moved to Sydney from Melbourne and basically hates the move and anything in Sydney. I really disliked Charlie in the beginning because she felt the need to give a negative opinion on EVERYTHING. She seemed so ingrained in her beliefs and it was like everybody else should share those beliefs or they were wrong. And she felt the need to express her ideals at every possible moment, even when it wasn’t right for the situation. On the flip side I liked that she stood her ground and didn’t let anybody shutdown her feminist views. She definitely thaws and becomes easier to be around with as the book progresses. I liked that she has her moments of weakness and it’s obvious she’s a teenage girl too who has crushes and occasionally wants to drop the tough act.
Gillian was an interesting one. She was way too enthusiastic for my liking and tried so hard to please everyone. And I think because she tries so hard is one of the reasons why people treat her as a doormat. She won’t get angry at anything anybody does to her because she wants them to like her. But this girl has such a big heart. Despite the bullying she receives from her classmates and her horrible mother who gives her hell about her weight, and a father who cares more about his votes than his own daughter, she always has a smile on her face. Gill was the one who everybody in TYC came to like and could get along with.
For once a golden boy who is actually a good guy! The school captain Ryan is a genuinely nice guy and it was no wonder he got voted in as school captain. Not just because he’s good at soccer but because he cares about his role. He took being the school captain seriously, ensuring students did the right thing and being friendly to everyone. He also takes the yearbook seriously too because the principal gave him the responsibility. If Gill was the glue that kept everyone together, Ryan was the driving force behind it all. He’s the type of guy who’s like “I don’t care what shit is between you guys, you are going to get this done.” Love people like that! And Ryan isn’t without his own troubles. He struggles with a future where the one dream he was set on has crumbled. It was refreshing to see this because most high schoolers are the reverse – their future looks so uncertain because they don’t know what to do with their lives, but there’s endless possibilities.
One of my favourite characters was definitely Tammi. I found that she had the most growth throughout the book (these tend to be my favs). She starts off as the best friend to the popular girl who silently stands around as her best friend gets whatever she wants and does whatever she wants. Tammi matures though and quickly realises her best friend isn’t as perfect as she thinks. My favourite part about Tammi is that, no matter what her boyfriend says, she won’t let herself be pressured into sex. I think it’s becoming more and more a common thing in high schools these days and for Tammi to care about her body and not give in is awesome. Ladies (and gentlemen), reminder that you shouldn’t do something because somebody else tells you to. No matter what it seems like, it’s not a race. Don’t EVER let anybody pressure you into sex (or anything really). Do it because you want to when you’re ready. If he/she won’t wait for you, they’re not worth it.
Then my favourite who probably comes in just a little in front of Tammi, is Matty. I just wanted to hug this boy, hoodie and all. I like them smart and broody. Kid won an academic scholarship into a Catholic school! And beneath the hoodie, he’s actually sweet and caring ahhh love love LOVE. Poor guy is working two jobs to support himself and his mum who’s had some kind of breakdown and is obviously suffering from mental illness. He’s tough but he’s also coming apart at the seams. It was wonderful having him as a character as a fresh lens on the rich kids at Holy Family.
We’ve also got a great cast of secondary characters. There’s the other students at Holy Family, the teachers who are definitely questionable, and this really awesome principal. Ayoub brings in diversity through the families and friends of our MCs such as Gillian’s brother, and Matty’s best friend who I adored. Mo doesn’t bag Matty out for being smart and winning a scholarship, but actually supports and respects him. There are so many more characters but you’ll just have to discover them yourself. It’s these guys who make the main characters really shine and add depth to the story.
All of this is set against the backdrop of Sydney’s inner-west and ERMAGHERD you guys this is my fav part of reading. I haven’t read a book where I had “a sense of place” (as Melina Marchetta put it at the launch) since Melina’s own books. It feels so good to read a book and know where Burwood Westfield is, to be able to picture Burwood Park, to crave El Jannah (chargrilled chicken with this amazing garlic sauce they make), to think back to my own lunch at Burger Project a few weeks ago. Just like the characters in TYC, I walked the streets of this book. And it felt like coming home. This book felt like home to me. Ayoub does the setting so freaking well it was like a character of its own.
Then we have all the issues this book tackled. Through the diverse characters we’re able to see bullying, the differences in socioeconomic background prevalent in Sydney, mental illness, disability, peer pressure for everything you can possibly think of, the pressure to do well in the HSC and what happens after, and what I believe is a growing problem in NSW’s education system – the qualifications of teachers.
All of these very relevant themes are beautifully interwoven through our five MCs into an ending that reminds you this is reality. I can’t get over the amazing characterisation; freaking top notch. Each one of these characters have left a lasting impression. The Yearbook Committee became so much more than getting a yearbook out on deadline. Ayoub managed to encompass all the moments of Sydney high school life into 320 pages – the tears, the joy, the friendships and everything in between. EVERYBODY GO READ THIS OMG.
Review originally posted at Fiction in Fiction in Fiction
I remember someone once saying on Twitter how Aussie books are much more character driven than US books which are more plot driven. Melina Marchetta definitely comes to mind and I realise it’s the character driven books I love best. After reading The Yearbook Committee I can definitely say the characters have stuck with me.
What do you get when you combine a school captain who used to be star of the soccer team, a politician’s daughter who’s overly enthusiastic, an opinionated girl who hates Sydney, the popular girl’s best friend, a scholarship student from a poor background, and shove them onto the Yearbook Committee? Unwillingness to cooperate and absolute chaos that’s what. It’s bloody brilliant.
The first character we’re introduced to is Charlie who’s moved to Sydney from Melbourne and basically hates the move and anything in Sydney. I really disliked Charlie in the beginning because she felt the need to give a negative opinion on EVERYTHING. She seemed so ingrained in her beliefs and it was like everybody else should share those beliefs or they were wrong. And she felt the need to express her ideals at every possible moment, even when it wasn’t right for the situation. On the flip side I liked that she stood her ground and didn’t let anybody shutdown her feminist views. She definitely thaws and becomes easier to be around with as the book progresses. I liked that she has her moments of weakness and it’s obvious she’s a teenage girl too who has crushes and occasionally wants to drop the tough act.
Gillian was an interesting one. She was way too enthusiastic for my liking and tried so hard to please everyone. And I think because she tries so hard is one of the reasons why people treat her as a doormat. She won’t get angry at anything anybody does to her because she wants them to like her. But this girl has such a big heart. Despite the bullying she receives from her classmates and her horrible mother who gives her hell about her weight, and a father who cares more about his votes than his own daughter, she always has a smile on her face. Gill was the one who everybody in TYC came to like and could get along with.
For once a golden boy who is actually a good guy! The school captain Ryan is a genuinely nice guy and it was no wonder he got voted in as school captain. Not just because he’s good at soccer but because he cares about his role. He took being the school captain seriously, ensuring students did the right thing and being friendly to everyone. He also takes the yearbook seriously too because the principal gave him the responsibility. If Gill was the glue that kept everyone together, Ryan was the driving force behind it all. He’s the type of guy who’s like “I don’t care what shit is between you guys, you are going to get this done.” Love people like that! And Ryan isn’t without his own troubles. He struggles with a future where the one dream he was set on has crumbled. It was refreshing to see this because most high schoolers are the reverse – their future looks so uncertain because they don’t know what to do with their lives, but there’s endless possibilities.
One of my favourite characters was definitely Tammi. I found that she had the most growth throughout the book (these tend to be my favs). She starts off as the best friend to the popular girl who silently stands around as her best friend gets whatever she wants and does whatever she wants. Tammi matures though and quickly realises her best friend isn’t as perfect as she thinks. My favourite part about Tammi is that, no matter what her boyfriend says, she won’t let herself be pressured into sex. I think it’s becoming more and more a common thing in high schools these days and for Tammi to care about her body and not give in is awesome. Ladies (and gentlemen), reminder that you shouldn’t do something because somebody else tells you to. No matter what it seems like, it’s not a race. Don’t EVER let anybody pressure you into sex (or anything really). Do it because you want to when you’re ready. If he/she won’t wait for you, they’re not worth it.
Then my favourite who probably comes in just a little in front of Tammi, is Matty. I just wanted to hug this boy, hoodie and all. I like them smart and broody. Kid won an academic scholarship into a Catholic school! And beneath the hoodie, he’s actually sweet and caring ahhh love love LOVE. Poor guy is working two jobs to support himself and his mum who’s had some kind of breakdown and is obviously suffering from mental illness. He’s tough but he’s also coming apart at the seams. It was wonderful having him as a character as a fresh lens on the rich kids at Holy Family.
We’ve also got a great cast of secondary characters. There’s the other students at Holy Family, the teachers who are definitely questionable, and this really awesome principal. Ayoub brings in diversity through the families and friends of our MCs such as Gillian’s brother, and Matty’s best friend who I adored. Mo doesn’t bag Matty out for being smart and winning a scholarship, but actually supports and respects him. There are so many more characters but you’ll just have to discover them yourself. It’s these guys who make the main characters really shine and add depth to the story.
All of this is set against the backdrop of Sydney’s inner-west and ERMAGHERD you guys this is my fav part of reading. I haven’t read a book where I had “a sense of place” (as Melina Marchetta put it at the launch) since Melina’s own books. It feels so good to read a book and know where Burwood Westfield is, to be able to picture Burwood Park, to crave El Jannah (chargrilled chicken with this amazing garlic sauce they make), to think back to my own lunch at Burger Project a few weeks ago. Just like the characters in TYC, I walked the streets of this book. And it felt like coming home. This book felt like home to me. Ayoub does the setting so freaking well it was like a character of its own.
Then we have all the issues this book tackled. Through the diverse characters we’re able to see bullying, the differences in socioeconomic background prevalent in Sydney, mental illness, disability, peer pressure for everything you can possibly think of, the pressure to do well in the HSC and what happens after, and what I believe is a growing problem in NSW’s education system – the qualifications of teachers.
All of these very relevant themes are beautifully interwoven through our five MCs into an ending that reminds you this is reality. I can’t get over the amazing characterisation; freaking top notch. Each one of these characters have left a lasting impression. The Yearbook Committee became so much more than getting a yearbook out on deadline. Ayoub managed to encompass all the moments of Sydney high school life into 320 pages – the tears, the joy, the friendships and everything in between. EVERYBODY GO READ THIS OMG.
March 17, 2021
3.5
Jag gillade verkligen denna boken. Den tog upp många viktiga ämnen och många bra budskap. Det kändes som en lättläst, men ”light” och rolig historia. Jag gillade dessutom att det var en multiperspektiv bok där man fick följa 5 olika personer och hur de skapar nya relationer med varandra. Karaktärerna var bra och jag gillade speciellt Charlie :)
En sak som störde mig var att boken var skriven i jag form. Jag blev hela tiden förvirrad från vems syn det var jag läste från, i och med att det fanns flera olika perspektiv. Detta hade enkelt kunnat undvikas genom att boken skulle varit skriven i tredje person, vilket jag hade föredragit.
Jag tycker också att slutet kunde ha utvecklats. Det kändes som ett så abrupt stopp på en så känslosam händelse. Jag tycker att det hade behövts mer känsla och att man hade fått följa karaktärerna när de får hantera den känslosamma situation som de har hamnat i. Det hade gett boken ett större djup och tagit en större del av läsarens hjärta. Så det är jag lite besviken över. Den hade kunnat bli så mycket bättre.
En annan sak som jag noterade var att bokens språk kändes väldigt ”lätt”. Det var inte alls så djupgående och det kändes som jag bara var och skrapade på ytan. Språket kändes kortfattat och jag lyckades först inte få den ”bok-känsla” som jag gärna ville ha. Däremot så blev det lite bättre ju längre in i boken man kom. Karaktärerna utvecklades och jag fick tillslut den där känslan av att vara omgiven av världen och de karaktärerna som boken handlar om.
Btw, jag älskar verkligen multiperspektiv böcker :))
Jag gillade verkligen denna boken. Den tog upp många viktiga ämnen och många bra budskap. Det kändes som en lättläst, men ”light” och rolig historia. Jag gillade dessutom att det var en multiperspektiv bok där man fick följa 5 olika personer och hur de skapar nya relationer med varandra. Karaktärerna var bra och jag gillade speciellt Charlie :)
En sak som störde mig var att boken var skriven i jag form. Jag blev hela tiden förvirrad från vems syn det var jag läste från, i och med att det fanns flera olika perspektiv. Detta hade enkelt kunnat undvikas genom att boken skulle varit skriven i tredje person, vilket jag hade föredragit.
Jag tycker också att slutet kunde ha utvecklats. Det kändes som ett så abrupt stopp på en så känslosam händelse. Jag tycker att det hade behövts mer känsla och att man hade fått följa karaktärerna när de får hantera den känslosamma situation som de har hamnat i. Det hade gett boken ett större djup och tagit en större del av läsarens hjärta. Så det är jag lite besviken över. Den hade kunnat bli så mycket bättre.
En annan sak som jag noterade var att bokens språk kändes väldigt ”lätt”. Det var inte alls så djupgående och det kändes som jag bara var och skrapade på ytan. Språket kändes kortfattat och jag lyckades först inte få den ”bok-känsla” som jag gärna ville ha. Däremot så blev det lite bättre ju längre in i boken man kom. Karaktärerna utvecklades och jag fick tillslut den där känslan av att vara omgiven av världen och de karaktärerna som boken handlar om.
Btw, jag älskar verkligen multiperspektiv böcker :))
April 6, 2016
*This review also appears on my blog Genie In A Book*
Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Since reading Sarah Ayoub's debut novel Hate is Such a Strong Word, I've been impressed by her ability to write stories for a teen audience which are both candid and astutely written. In The Yearbook Committe we meet a cast of characters who all have their own unique backgrounds, personality traits and challenges. It is this diversity which gives rise to some well observed insights into how people cope in situations which they didn't necessarily plan for, and that (even though it sounds cheesy), self-discovery is the result. I adored this book as a real page-turner; essential reading for any YA fan.
This book isn't 'just another contemporary novel' among all the rest standing on the shelves. What makes The Yearbook Committee different is the subtle yet powerful balance between the 'everyday' dramas of life in high school, to the deeper issues facing adolescents; sometimes with dire consequences. This isn't a book that outright preaches a certain message though - it's intelligent enough to let each individual reader take what best resonates with them from it.
Multiple POV's can be hit-and-miss depending on how well each character is differentiated, and if each is represented equally. In The Yearbook Committee each perspective, be it from Charlie the subversive strong-willed activist, to Gillian who is struggling with her own insecurities and finding her voice, Matty who has more responsibilities than most teenagers his age, Tammi who is defined by being only 'cool by association', or Ryan whose aspirations are in question. These may at first glance appear to be stereotypical archetypes. Yet, don't we all in some way know a 'Charlie' or a 'Ryan' out there? Perhaps we even embody some of their characteristics within ourselves. Each of these characters is unique, and still they are united by this common task - producing the yearbook. The convergence of these personas is aptly portrayed, making the novel an interesting read, as well as a touching one when further links between them are revealed.
The layout of the book itself also adds interest and makes it all the more relevant to the teens of today. Alongside scribbled minutes of the meeting are social media profile updates, emails and conversations. I always love it when a book has these multimodal elements, and The Yearbook Committee is no exception. It reinforces that central concept, while the characters' lives are allowed to spiral out from it. The structure allows for some twists along the way, which you wouldn't necessarily see coming.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Yearbook Committee is a truly multifaceted read, which evoked so many emotions in me. It has both a lighthearted, witty side as well as a serious one - switching between the two effortlessly. This is an outstanding piece of Aussie YA which I'd recommend to everyone.
Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Since reading Sarah Ayoub's debut novel Hate is Such a Strong Word, I've been impressed by her ability to write stories for a teen audience which are both candid and astutely written. In The Yearbook Committe we meet a cast of characters who all have their own unique backgrounds, personality traits and challenges. It is this diversity which gives rise to some well observed insights into how people cope in situations which they didn't necessarily plan for, and that (even though it sounds cheesy), self-discovery is the result. I adored this book as a real page-turner; essential reading for any YA fan.
Everything seemed uncertain, different, damaged. Just like the promise of our youth, now irreversibly changed due to a night whose sinister warning had been brewing steadily beneath the surface of our teenage dreams.
This book isn't 'just another contemporary novel' among all the rest standing on the shelves. What makes The Yearbook Committee different is the subtle yet powerful balance between the 'everyday' dramas of life in high school, to the deeper issues facing adolescents; sometimes with dire consequences. This isn't a book that outright preaches a certain message though - it's intelligent enough to let each individual reader take what best resonates with them from it.
Gillian 'I wonder what it feels like to be so secure, to have everything you ever wanted. To wake up feeling like life is perfect. I was starved of those feelings, and on some level I guess my mum's ideas about what makes life amazing was part of the problem. I go to sleep thinking about the future. Would I ever stop feeling like I just don't measure up?
Multiple POV's can be hit-and-miss depending on how well each character is differentiated, and if each is represented equally. In The Yearbook Committee each perspective, be it from Charlie the subversive strong-willed activist, to Gillian who is struggling with her own insecurities and finding her voice, Matty who has more responsibilities than most teenagers his age, Tammi who is defined by being only 'cool by association', or Ryan whose aspirations are in question. These may at first glance appear to be stereotypical archetypes. Yet, don't we all in some way know a 'Charlie' or a 'Ryan' out there? Perhaps we even embody some of their characteristics within ourselves. Each of these characters is unique, and still they are united by this common task - producing the yearbook. The convergence of these personas is aptly portrayed, making the novel an interesting read, as well as a touching one when further links between them are revealed.
The yearbook committee had started out as a random bunch of people who walked the same halls, sat the same exams, shared the ordinary school experiences that became extraordinary as we learnt to look beyond one another's facade, Facebook profile picture, group of friends.
The layout of the book itself also adds interest and makes it all the more relevant to the teens of today. Alongside scribbled minutes of the meeting are social media profile updates, emails and conversations. I always love it when a book has these multimodal elements, and The Yearbook Committee is no exception. It reinforces that central concept, while the characters' lives are allowed to spiral out from it. The structure allows for some twists along the way, which you wouldn't necessarily see coming.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Yearbook Committee is a truly multifaceted read, which evoked so many emotions in me. It has both a lighthearted, witty side as well as a serious one - switching between the two effortlessly. This is an outstanding piece of Aussie YA which I'd recommend to everyone.
September 7, 2023
Actual rating: 3,5
Dari kesepuluh wishlist-ku tahun ini, buku YMC masuk ke dalamnya. Blurb-nya meyakinkan banget dan mendadak keinget sama One of Us Is Lying. Not exactly same, jelas. YMC nggak bergenre misteri atau thriller, meski sama-sama masuk ranah YA.
YMC menyatukan 5 orang dengan kepribadian dan latar belakang yang berbeda:
1) Ryan, si atlet serbabisa. Selain berbakat di bidang atletik, otaknya juga encer. Sayang, dia kecelakaan dan harus merelakan mimpinya jadi pemain sepak bola profesional. Jiwa kepemimpinannya oke banget, tapi sayang nggak terlalu terbuka buat memikirkan kemungkinan karier lain.
2) Matty (a.k.a Matthew). Cowok penerima beasiswa. Ikon yang menempel bareng namanya; hoodie & headphone. Cenderung cuek dengan sekitar, tapi aslinya peduli ke orang-orang yang disayang. Terlebih, dia harus cari nafkah juga buat bayar tagihan-tagihan di rumah karena ibunya lagi nggak baik-baik aja. Jago di bidang seni dan cukup pintar.
3) Gillian. Anak politisi yang punya blog dengan pembaca yang banyak. Fans-nya dunia maya banyak, tapi sayang di sekolah dia kerap dirundung. Belum lagi kenyataan dia harus tampil sempurna. Merasa nggak pede dengan dirinya sendiri dan tetap yakin bahwa perundungnya akan berubah menjadi orang yang ramah.
4) Charlie. Cewek yang selalu menggaungkan feminisme tapi juga selalu jadi perusak suasana (bukan aku yang bilang, Charlie selalu perkenalan dengan embel-embel seperti itu sendiri). Disayang ibunya, tapi gengsinya agak tinggi. Dia nggak suka penindasan, tapi juga terlalu malas untuk peduli. Well, aslinya peduli, sih, tapi ya gengsi aja.
5) Terakhir, Tammi (a.k.a Tammara). Cewek yang pilihan-pilihannya selalu dikekang, tapi dia juga nggak punya niatan buat lepas. Punya cita-cita yang ditentang keras oleh ayahnya karena dianggap berbahaya. Salah satu remaja yang nggak bisa meninggalkan sahabatnya karena sudah lama berteman, plus yakin kalau suatu saat sudah berubah.
Dari lima orang di atas, Charlie termasuk yang paling asing karena dia murid pindahan (yep, pindah di kelas 12). Matty terlalu nggak peduli sama sekeliling jadi bisa dibilang cuek. Gillian punya masa lalu yang baik, tapi berakhir nggak baik dengan Tammi. Sedangkan Ryan berada di satu circle dengan Tammi. Mereka jelas berbeda jauh. Awal rapat buku tahunan juga nggak berjalan baik, malah berantem terus. Topiknya ya macam-macam. Salah satunya alasan mereka bergabung dengan komite buku tahunan ini (kebanyakan nggak bisa membantah titah Mrs. H alias ibu kepala sekolah).
Bisa dibilang, yang dialami kelima orang ini relatable. Remaja yang kehilangan arah dan nggak begitu paham mana yang benar atau salah. Satu lagi, keras kepala. Tapi, mereka juga rapuh. Komite buku tahunan jelas bikin mereka mengenal jelas apa arti kata "sahabat". Bahkan orang yang sudah bertahun-tahun dikenal saja masih bisa kepeleset sama sifatnya atau termakan dengan sifat manupulatifnya, seperti Tammi.
Overall, aku puas dengan ceritanya. Jalannya rapat diceritakan dalam bentuk catatan yang dibuat oleh Gillian. Lucu, sih, dan khas remaja banget. Labil, keras kepala, gengsi, ada semua di catatan itu. YBC bukti bahwa jika punya kepentingan bersama pasti akan bersatu. I love them.
Sayang, ada bagian yang bikin aku kaget. Hem, nggak kaget yang gimana, sih, tapi heran aja kok udah loncat ke bagian lain. Emosinya kerasa dipotong gitu aja. Jadi, alih-alih ikutan sedih, malah berakhir bingung.
Lalu soal ending.
That's it. Bacaan yang cukup menyenangkan. <3
Dari kesepuluh wishlist-ku tahun ini, buku YMC masuk ke dalamnya. Blurb-nya meyakinkan banget dan mendadak keinget sama One of Us Is Lying. Not exactly same, jelas. YMC nggak bergenre misteri atau thriller, meski sama-sama masuk ranah YA.
YMC menyatukan 5 orang dengan kepribadian dan latar belakang yang berbeda:
1) Ryan, si atlet serbabisa. Selain berbakat di bidang atletik, otaknya juga encer. Sayang, dia kecelakaan dan harus merelakan mimpinya jadi pemain sepak bola profesional. Jiwa kepemimpinannya oke banget, tapi sayang nggak terlalu terbuka buat memikirkan kemungkinan karier lain.
2) Matty (a.k.a Matthew). Cowok penerima beasiswa. Ikon yang menempel bareng namanya; hoodie & headphone. Cenderung cuek dengan sekitar, tapi aslinya peduli ke orang-orang yang disayang. Terlebih, dia harus cari nafkah juga buat bayar tagihan-tagihan di rumah karena ibunya lagi nggak baik-baik aja. Jago di bidang seni dan cukup pintar.
3) Gillian. Anak politisi yang punya blog dengan pembaca yang banyak. Fans-nya dunia maya banyak, tapi sayang di sekolah dia kerap dirundung. Belum lagi kenyataan dia harus tampil sempurna. Merasa nggak pede dengan dirinya sendiri dan tetap yakin bahwa perundungnya akan berubah menjadi orang yang ramah.
4) Charlie. Cewek yang selalu menggaungkan feminisme tapi juga selalu jadi perusak suasana (bukan aku yang bilang, Charlie selalu perkenalan dengan embel-embel seperti itu sendiri). Disayang ibunya, tapi gengsinya agak tinggi. Dia nggak suka penindasan, tapi juga terlalu malas untuk peduli. Well, aslinya peduli, sih, tapi ya gengsi aja.
5) Terakhir, Tammi (a.k.a Tammara). Cewek yang pilihan-pilihannya selalu dikekang, tapi dia juga nggak punya niatan buat lepas. Punya cita-cita yang ditentang keras oleh ayahnya karena dianggap berbahaya. Salah satu remaja yang nggak bisa meninggalkan sahabatnya karena sudah lama berteman, plus yakin kalau suatu saat sudah berubah.
Dari lima orang di atas, Charlie termasuk yang paling asing karena dia murid pindahan (yep, pindah di kelas 12). Matty terlalu nggak peduli sama sekeliling jadi bisa dibilang cuek. Gillian punya masa lalu yang baik, tapi berakhir nggak baik dengan Tammi. Sedangkan Ryan berada di satu circle dengan Tammi. Mereka jelas berbeda jauh. Awal rapat buku tahunan juga nggak berjalan baik, malah berantem terus. Topiknya ya macam-macam. Salah satunya alasan mereka bergabung dengan komite buku tahunan ini (kebanyakan nggak bisa membantah titah Mrs. H alias ibu kepala sekolah).
Bisa dibilang, yang dialami kelima orang ini relatable. Remaja yang kehilangan arah dan nggak begitu paham mana yang benar atau salah. Satu lagi, keras kepala. Tapi, mereka juga rapuh. Komite buku tahunan jelas bikin mereka mengenal jelas apa arti kata "sahabat". Bahkan orang yang sudah bertahun-tahun dikenal saja masih bisa kepeleset sama sifatnya atau termakan dengan sifat manupulatifnya, seperti Tammi.
Overall, aku puas dengan ceritanya. Jalannya rapat diceritakan dalam bentuk catatan yang dibuat oleh Gillian. Lucu, sih, dan khas remaja banget. Labil, keras kepala, gengsi, ada semua di catatan itu. YBC bukti bahwa jika punya kepentingan bersama pasti akan bersatu. I love them.
Sayang, ada bagian yang bikin aku kaget. Hem, nggak kaget yang gimana, sih, tapi heran aja kok udah loncat ke bagian lain. Emosinya kerasa dipotong gitu aja. Jadi, alih-alih ikutan sedih, malah berakhir bingung.
Lalu soal ending.
That's it. Bacaan yang cukup menyenangkan. <3
July 31, 2016
That was a disappointment.
I kept reading in hopes that I would connect with the characters and their problems but I just couldn't. I felt like the dialogue was dated with all characters saying gosh and Tammi referring to her parents as 'rents which I haven't known anyone to do since 2008.
Everyone in the book was really stupid as well. You have Tammi who accepts pills from a guy she had only met twice before and then proceeded to take them. Then there's the absolute bullshit that Lauren and David put both Tammi and Gillian through which no one seems to be able to stop. Gillian is bullied online and also physically but no one thinks about actually telling a teacher; there's a lot of "oh you should tell someone before it goes too far! Or I will" She gets hit in the face with an apple and photos leaked of her and still no one seems to do anything helpful. I get that there's little to no support for her from her parents but surely Charlie or Ryan would go to a teacher and tell them how serious it actually is.
Charlie really annoyed me. You would think an outspoken feminist would be my favourite type of character but she's such a hypocrite. She judges people (girls especially) on their looks or "blonde extensions and false eyelashes" and in her letter to Tammi even states that she hates girls that aren't as stubborn as she is. It makes me so mad when people slap the feminist label onto a cool feisty girl that can speak for herself and fights for women's rights but then creates a judgemental character who hates girls who look the part of a 'stupid girl'. She also fights everything and everyone even when the people she's fighting are genuinely trying to be nice to her. I went to the same school for 14 years so I don't know what it's like to make new friends while in the awkward adolescent years but I know what's it like to be the new girl in a place where everyone already has their cliques. Charlie is the new girl and in a new state but she's so frosty to everyone it gets boring after a while.
Her relationship with Ryan also made me roll my eyes a few times, it went from butting heads about everything to making out at a fundraising dance.
The other side story about Mike was so confusing and didn't really add anything the plot until the end .
I know I've ranted on about the things I didn't like about The Year Book Committee but the second star came from the glimpses of a complex character like Matty and his mum. He was dealing with something huge and he did it without complaining. I liked Matty's character and most of his story arc. Gillian was also a pretty interesting character, with her blog and her unloving mother and father.
Gillian was probably my favourite character because of her non existent relationship with her parents because she was still so eager to make friends and be apart of the school even though so many, including her mum, told her she wasn't pretty, cool, skinny enough.
Overall I didn't connect with the characters and maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the book but the lack of adult intervention of bullying and the really dumb things people did I couldn't look past it. Also just a quick note, there are other parts to Australia other than Sydney and Melbourne. Just so all the other non Aussies out there know.
I kept reading in hopes that I would connect with the characters and their problems but I just couldn't. I felt like the dialogue was dated with all characters saying gosh and Tammi referring to her parents as 'rents which I haven't known anyone to do since 2008.
Everyone in the book was really stupid as well. You have Tammi who accepts pills from a guy she had only met twice before and then proceeded to take them. Then there's the absolute bullshit that Lauren and David put both Tammi and Gillian through which no one seems to be able to stop. Gillian is bullied online and also physically but no one thinks about actually telling a teacher; there's a lot of "oh you should tell someone before it goes too far! Or I will" She gets hit in the face with an apple and photos leaked of her and still no one seems to do anything helpful. I get that there's little to no support for her from her parents but surely Charlie or Ryan would go to a teacher and tell them how serious it actually is.
Charlie really annoyed me. You would think an outspoken feminist would be my favourite type of character but she's such a hypocrite. She judges people (girls especially) on their looks or "blonde extensions and false eyelashes" and in her letter to Tammi even states that she hates girls that aren't as stubborn as she is. It makes me so mad when people slap the feminist label onto a cool feisty girl that can speak for herself and fights for women's rights but then creates a judgemental character who hates girls who look the part of a 'stupid girl'. She also fights everything and everyone even when the people she's fighting are genuinely trying to be nice to her. I went to the same school for 14 years so I don't know what it's like to make new friends while in the awkward adolescent years but I know what's it like to be the new girl in a place where everyone already has their cliques. Charlie is the new girl and in a new state but she's so frosty to everyone it gets boring after a while.
Her relationship with Ryan also made me roll my eyes a few times, it went from butting heads about everything to making out at a fundraising dance.
The other side story about Mike was so confusing and didn't really add anything the plot until the end .
I know I've ranted on about the things I didn't like about The Year Book Committee but the second star came from the glimpses of a complex character like Matty and his mum. He was dealing with something huge and he did it without complaining. I liked Matty's character and most of his story arc. Gillian was also a pretty interesting character, with her blog and her unloving mother and father.
I bite my tongue to stop the tears. Who needs magazines and pop culture to make you feel bad about yourself when you have parents like these?
Gillian was probably my favourite character because of her non existent relationship with her parents because she was still so eager to make friends and be apart of the school even though so many, including her mum, told her she wasn't pretty, cool, skinny enough.
Overall I didn't connect with the characters and maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the book but the lack of adult intervention of bullying and the really dumb things people did I couldn't look past it. Also just a quick note, there are other parts to Australia other than Sydney and Melbourne. Just so all the other non Aussies out there know.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews