You don't even know by Sue Lawson

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Black Dog Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922179715.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Alex Hudson is an ordinary, teenage boy who likes playing water polo and has a part-time job. He's doing okay at school. But then an awful accident happens, his world is ripped apart, and he must slowly put the pieces of his life back together. Waking up in hospital with a broken arm, broken ribs and a fractured skull, he can't remember what happened to him. But with the help of Paul, a kind psychologist, and Mackie, a fellow patient, he can slowly face up to what happened.
You Don't Even Know is a rare, powerful novel. With so many teenage books circling around either paranormal romance or futuristic action, it is very refreshing to read such an honest, realistic novel.
You Don't Even Know is a character-based drama, with nearly all the conflict resulting from problems within relationships, rather than outside forces. Fortunately, all the characters are very well developed, realistic and unique, although not all of them are likeable. Although it takes a little while to get going, You Don't Even Know soon moves into a fast, engaging pace that will have the reader feverishly turning the pages.
A sad, poignant teenage drama with strong, diverse characters, You Don't Even Know weaves together a powerful, thoughtful story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.
I highly recommend this book.
Rebecca Adams (Student)

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