Look me in the eye by Jane Godwin

Look Me in the Eye is contemporary story dealing with the complexities of being a teenager in these unprecedented times – how to navigate life after a worldwide pandemic and the increasing impact of mobile technology on privacy and autonomy.  At it’s core, it is a story about trust – how you earn it and how you keep it.

The story is narrated by Bella, a year 7 student who has just come out the other side of the world’s longest COVID lockdowns in Victoria Australia.  She lives with her mum and stepfather, who are on the brink of having a baby together, after 13 years of Bella being an only child. Bella and her best friend, Connie, have their friendship tested with the impact of, Mish, Connie's cousin, who has moved to their area and whose behaviour seems risky and at times, manipulative.

There are tensions and a sense of mystery the author Jane Goodwin cleverly weaves throughout the story – Mish’s behaviour and worrying relationship with her parents, the stealing, Mish’s whereabouts after meeting up with someone she met online, Connie's sisters health and the impending birth of Bella’s sibling, all make for a captivating read.

COVID and the lockdowns in response, are mentioned many times throughout the story, but rather than seeming repetitive, these only serve to illuminate the impact the pandemic has had, especially on those living through their formative years.  Readers from middle school age to adults will find this story engaging and enlightening.  There is some profound wisdom in the story about how in these times of increasing surveillance, we can’t in reality guarantee safety and the lack of trust it fosters may only serve to erode relationships with those we love. As Pete, Bella's stepfather says, ‘trust is complicated, Bells...but aside from being really foolish about it, we have to do it.Otherwise, we’d go crazy’. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Friendship, Family, Online relationships, Trust, COVID pandemic.

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