Mandy Hager

Since 1970 the Katherine Mansfield Menton fellowship has been awarded to a New Zealand writer each year, who gets access for a period of six months or more to the writing room in the Villa Isola Bella… Audio

Author of eight novels for young adults, and 2013 winner of the Menton Fellowship to France. Audio

Toby decides to take the blame for Don's injuries as he knows Carl could possibly go to jail if he doesn't. Audio

Carl is drunk and stoned as he drives Toby, Rita and Danica to Makara in Don's old car. Audio

Toby has six weeks before his defence hearing where he needs to prove his innocence. Audio

Danica arranges to meet Toby the night before his court hearing. Audio

Toby meets a strung out Carl who accuses him of assaulting Don. Audio

Sergeant DeVinnie arrests Toby for assaulting Don. Audio

Sergeant DeVinnie and Constable Gordon come to question Toby about his involvement in Don's assault. They take him to the police station. Audio

The police want to return and question Toby's mother after she finds his bloodstained sweatshirt. Audio

Two policemen come to Toby's house regarding Don who is found unconcious by the waterfront with severe head injuries. Audio

Toby's Dad nearly gets into a fight with Don's father, Sydney, after confronting Don about Rita's rape. Audio

Toby and his date Jacinta leave the party to go to Jacinta's place, leaving Rita in Don's care. Audio

Toby is the puny, nerdy son of a artistic accountant Asian father with a high IQ, and a stroppy Irish mother. Audio

Mandy Hager, NZ Post award-winning writer from Raumati South has chosen 'Vincent' by Don McLean. Audio

Reach by Hugh Brown reviewed by Briar; Earth Dragon, Fire Hare by Ken Catran, reviewed by Caleb; Into the River by Ted Dawe reviewed by Sera; The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager reviewed by Reuben… Audio

Mandy Hager's book 'The Crossing' won the Young Adult Fiction prize in the NZ Post Children's Book Awards Audio