Read exclusive content from L Platers, the latest parenting guide from bestselling author of Being 14 and Ten-ager.
"School has become my entire life. It feels as though it is all day until I go to sleep.''
Students in years 11 and 12 are exhausted, stressed, staying up all night studying and worrying themselves to the point of vomiting over exams that will mean nothing in years to come. This number - the ATAR - dictates what they do after year 12 and it has created a cohort, nationwide, that is facing unprecedented anxiety. This stood out to me in researching L Platers.
"The biggest challenge I face is trying to get up and go to school. Every day I find myself struggling and panicking,'' one girl told me.
I sought the advice of 1000 teen girls aged 16, 17 and 18 - and the toll anxiety is causing is real. You can see it in school refusal (where girls will simply refuse to attend), which is skyrocketing. Self-harm is commonplace. And eating disorders - including a new one which is termed 'chew and spit' - have also surfaced strongly during COVID.
Hospital beds for those suffering from eating disorders are full, and families have nowhere to go. The top five calls to Kids Helpline by 16-18-year-old women relate to their mental health, emotional wellbeing, suicide, their relationship with their parents and self-injury. COVID will follow this cohort for a long time.
"I'm numb, stressed, overwhelmed and tired,'' one said.
"I'm mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted,'' another said.
My takeout is that we need to listen to what our teens are telling us, and change the narrative.
-
A must-read guide for parents of teenage girls that explores what our girls need us to know in order to support them through the unprecedented pressures of growing up in today's world.
Latest news
Myf Warhurst is going on tour!
Book Club Guide for Rat Daniels
Questions for your group to discuss this stand-out Australian debut.
Authors on the Road for Book Week 2026
A snapshot of just some of all the activity around Australia!
Read an extract of Alma Vampires
Start reading the new paranormal romance series!
Amy Remeikis is going on tour!
Enter the Fantasy Realm
Hachette Australia, with The Realm, presents ENTER THE FANTASY REALM! Join Tigest Girma, Louisa Carmody and Christy Anne Jones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to talk all things fantasy.
Read an Extract: Middle Rage
Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.
In the Good Books with Luke Bateman - Hachette Recommended Reads
Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast
Start Reading No One's Looking
Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!
Hachette Memories of Lost & Found
Our staff share how special Brooke Davis' debut was - we’d love to hear your memories too!
Brooke Davis' Letter to Booksellers
The lovely Brooke, a bookseller herself, checks in with her colleagues across Australia to say a big hello.
Alice Oseman is coming to ANZ!
Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Read an extract from The Doubles
Dive into this fast-paced, genre-bending debut!
Q&A with Penny Sunday
Meet Aussie dark romance author Penny Sunday!
Read an extract from The Wretched Divine
From the bestselling author of Belladonna
.png?w=440&h=247&fit=crop&auto=compress%2cformat&dpr=2)
Ashleigh Barton's Letter to Readers
Ahead of Eighty-Nine Questions for After, Ashleigh shares her thoughts on why sad books are so important for kids.
Read an extract of True Crime
Start reading Patricia Cornwell's thrilling memoir
The Richell Prize Opens 2026
Announcing this year's round of The Richell Prize
Mum's Shelf, Sorted
Happy Mother's Day!
Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset
Read the new book from bestselling author Natasha Lester
Read an extract from Rat Daniels
Dive into this unforgettable coming-of-age story from a stunning new voice in Australian fiction
Book Club Questions for Margaret, Are You Leaving?
We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this heartfelt novel. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished Margaret, Are You Leaving? – you don’t want to risk ruining any reveals!
Welcome to the World of Donovan Bixley
Entertain the kids at home
Read an Extract from Rebirth: A Love Story From the Depths of War
Antoun Issa powerfully captures his mother's true experiences of love, heartbreak and new hope during the violence of civil war.
Find a book you'll love, get our newsletter
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Hachette Australia, All Rights Reserved · Site by Chook