Verse novels for young adults

2000

This energetic verse novel for young adults is at turns lyrical and amusing. It explores with sensitivity the emotional games played by teenagers and their parents and the compelling crossover of fantasy and reality in their daily lives.

 

2001

In this sequel to A Dangerous Girl, Catherine Bateson delicately unveils a year in the life of these four emerging adults. It is a verse novel celebrating life, love, change and the year it all happened.

 

 

2006

Abattoir Town is just another town bypassed by the highway until Mollie arrives, lugging more than her suitcase of circus tricks. From award-winning writer Catherine Bateson comes a verse novel which tenderly chronicles country life.

Queensland Premiers Literary Awards- 2006 shortlist.

 Leigh's Journal - What are you waiting for, John?

We've seen three movies
we've been to one party,
we've heard two bands.
That's enough.
The next time you drive me home
and we sit outside in your van
talking until Marina's curfew,
if you don't kiss me then,
I'm going to kiss you.
It's a risky business taking the initiave.
I'm a big girl, all grown up,
I can handle it.
Can you?

-A Dangerous Girl

 

 

Missing Them

I had it all planned- the best New Year's Eve-
Nick and me, John and Leigh
pulling crackers, pouring champagne,
toasting to our splendid fabulous lives,
our every success in work and love.
Last year it all seemed possible.
Everything was possible.
Until my best frien dumped my brother
and by brother John, drunk and stupid,
gashed his wrist with Grand-dad's old razor.
Now my ex-best friend's gone to Bali,
my brother's gone to Daylesford,
and my parents have gone grey,
and if it wasn't for Nick
I'd be lonelier than I can imagine.

I have Nick.
I've made it through to an interview for the course,
my course- Costume Designe, Theatre Arts.
There's a bottle of champagne in the fridge,
it's just that half the celebration is missing-
one bit in Bali
the other in Daylesford.
When Nick and I chink our glasses
we're missing that echo.
Missing
them.

-The Year It All Happened

Leigh's Journal - What are you waiting for, John?

We've seen three movies
we've been to one party,
we've heard two bands.
That's enough.
The next time you drive me home
and we sit outside in your van
talking until Marina's curfew,
if you don't kiss me then,
I'm going to kiss you.
It's a risky business taking the initiave.
I'm a big girl, all grown up,
I can handle it.
Can you?

-A Dangerous Girl

Mozza’s Love Poem

 

 

I fell for Suze,
that’s the missus –

not that we’re married

but she doesn’t like girlfriend

- too temporary –

and I won’t say partner

- what a wank

we were both in kinder.

When she cried

I gave her my best matchbox car.

Everyone said we’d get married.

I guess we will

if I get another job.

 

The first time we kissed

the hair on the back of my neck

stood straight up –

I reckon we glowed like a 90 watt bulb

it was that electric.

 

I like winter best

we warm each other up

snuggle under the doona

like we’re kids again

though now our own kid

sneaks in sometimes

right in the middle, elbows me

out of the way but she’s okay -

looks just like her mum

eyes as brown as chocolate drops

hair that dirty blonde colour

and long, lanky legs already.

She’s a heart breaker

just like Suze.

 

-His Name In Fire

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