Aspiring

An engaging, funny and moving novel about a boy trying to make sense of it all

WINNER OF THE YOUNG ADULT FICTION AWARD AT THE NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS 2020

Fifteen-year-old Ricky lives in Aspiring, a town that’s growing at an alarming rate. Ricky’s growing, too — 6’7”, and taller every day. But he’s stuck in a loop: student, uncommitted basketballer, and puzzled son, burdened by his family’s sadness. And who’s the weird guy in town with a chauffeur and half a Cadillac? What about the bits of story that invade his head? Uncertain what’s real — and who he is — Ricky can’t stop sifting for clues. He has no idea how things will end up . . .

With sunlight, verve and humour, award-winning writer Damien Wilkins brings us a beguiling boy who’s trying to make sense of it all.

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‘Aspiring is a cleverly crafted and uniquely positive portrayal of a young man making his mark his way in a small but largely untapped world. The story is one you want to stick with, an elaborate yarn told with honesty and hope, mixed with just enough Kiwi quirkiness to smile about in each chapter.’ — The Sapling

‘Award-winning writer Damien Wilkins never set out to write a YA novel, but young male readers will be glad he did. . . . Described as a “hymn to the internal lives of boys today”, Aspiring is a must-read for any boy who is in need of such an anthem.’ — New Zealand Herald

‘Aspiring is not realism. It’s more playful than that, more exaggerated. Large characters, major events, huge emotions. No, I needn’t have worried. Aspiring is thunderously good — poignant, kind, funny and packed with story.’ — Breton Dukes, Landfall Review Online