A Single Stone
Age 10+
General Fiction Fantasy & Magical Realism
Every girl dreams of being part of the line – the chosen seven who tunnel deep into the mountain to find the harvest. Jena is the leader of the line – strong, respected, reliable. And – as all girls must be – she is small; years of training have seen to that. It is the way of things. A girl must wrap her limbs, lie still, deny herself a second bowl of stew. But what happens when one tiny discovery makes Jena question everything she has ever known?
A Single Stone is an absorbing dystopian novel for younger readers by award-winning Australian author Meg McKinlay. This thought-provoking book deals with themes of gender and power, and is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Isobelle Carmody and Carole Wilkinson. For more of Meg’s gripping junior fiction, read Surface Tension. www.megmckinlay.com
“In almost all cases, shortness of breath is not a great feeling. In this instance, though, it was merely a symptom of good writing, and it happened as I read the opening pages of Meg McKinlay’s taut, thoughtful story about a girl who has spent most of her life squeezing through tiny passages, deep in a mountain of rock … An engaging, beautifully written novel that manages to pose big questions about gender and power, and thoroughly entertain. This is a quietly powerful, polished story. 4/5 stars.” Books+Publishing
Resources
Creators
Meg McKinlay grew up in Bendigo, Victoria, in a book-loving, TV- and car-free household. On the long and winding path to becoming a children’s writer, she has worked a variety of jobs including swim instructor, tour guide, translator and teacher. These days, she lives with her family near the ocean in Fremantle and divides her time between teaching and writing, a balance that swings wildly between chaos and calm. She is always busy cooking up more books and you can visit her on the web at www.megmckinlay.com
Reviews
… engaging, beautifully written novel that manages to pose big questions about gender and power, and thoroughly entertain. This is a quietly powerful, polished story … FOUR STARS
Books+Publishing
I can highly recommend this book. It takes a brave soul to question the status quo.
Read Plus
‘A Single Stone’ is everything I want in book for our young people: beautifully haunting writing; each word carefully considered; a melodic rhythm to the story; and issues so varied and vast that young minds are set alight with imaginings and then burn slow with questions and gathered wisdom.
Childrens Books Daily
