The story starts when the main character, Shannon, and her friends traverse from present time to the mid-1980s after a movie at a local cinema in Sydney. The plot explores how she navigates and survives through this foreign environment and a time when her mum has not even given birth to her yet.

cLife in Sydney in 1985 is vividly described with the differing appearance of people, buildings, the buses and the Quay from today. Readers who experienced this time will be engulfed in this nostalgic journey back to their youth or childhood.

There is much humour as Shannon interacts with people in the 1980s, particularly with her mum, who was younger than her. Much of the story explores the relationship with Shannon’s younger mum, grandma, granddad, aunt and how she reunites with her other friends in this foreign time. Her interaction with her mum was heartwarming. Can she change history by saving her grandmother who died when she was young. But will this trigger a ‘butterfly effect’ and destroy the order of time? How will she go back to her own timeline?

How to Survive in 1985 blew my imagination, thinking what it would be like for me to go back to my parents’ childhood. The only pitfall is the use of language and style of writing was a little simple and the ending was a bit anti-climactic. Even so, I found this book captivating, impossible to put down and would strongly recommended it.

Reviewed by Chloe, Year 7, Cerdon College Merrylands

Age Guide 12+

Read an interview with Tegan Bennet Daylight about How to Survive in 1985

READ ANOTHER Q&A WITH TEGAN BENNET DAYLIGHT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tegan Bennett Daylight is a writer, teacher and critic. Her books include the Stella Award shortlisted Six Bedrooms and the novels Safety and Bombora.

She lives in the Blue Mountains with her husband and two children.

Visit Tegan Bennett Daylight’s website