Tearing Myself Together by Anna Whateley

It’s Year Twelve exam time, and Hilzy has a lot on her plate. She’s just lost her job, she and her sister Max are struggling to make ends meet, and her childhood best friend Imogen recently dobbed them in to child services. The friendship is over.

There’s a new spark of joy when Hilzy grows closer to Dawn, the hippy girl who’s had a crush on her for ages. But when Hilzy ends up in hospital with a busted knee, it’s only Imogen who understands what it’s really like living with an invisible disability. Things are falling apart, but maybe it’s not all on Hilzy to put them back together again.

A smart, funny and profound exploration of the messiness of love, friendship and bodies from the author of Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal.

‘Gripping, emotionally resonant, and really, really beautiful.’ – Kay Kerr, author of Please Don’t Hug Me

Perfect for:
– Readers seeking authentic, contemporary teen experiences
– Lovers of coming-of-age and found-family stories
– Empathetic depiction of disability and neurodivergence

Hilzy’s life is forever coming undone – and so is her body. Friendship is just one more thing she can’t count on…until she has to. A wonderful YA novel that explores found family and forgiveness from the CBCA shortlisted author of Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal.

About the Author: Anna lives in Meanjin on Turrbul and Yuggera land. She has always worked in literature and education and holds a PhD in young adult fiction. As an author, Anna writes young adult fiction and has contributed to multiple anthologies on disability and autism.

28 Apr 2026
 

Tearing Myself Together by Anna Whateley ISBN 9781760526764