A Weekend with Oscar, by Robyn Bavati

Jamie’s dad died less than a year ago and he has been bottling up his grief to protect his mum and younger brother, Oscar. It’s a lot to deal with when you’re 16, in an accelerated learning program and Oscar has Down syndrome (DS). When Mum is called to a family emergency interstate, Jamie steps up and offers to take of Oscar. It’s only for a weekend, how hard could it be? The answer is not easy – and when Mum doesn’t return as planned Jamie doesn’t know what to do. Bavati builds well the tension of Jamie’s dilemma over seeking help and caring for his brother, at the same time trying to be a good friend and exploring his growing feelings for Zara – the new girl in town. It’s great to look at issues of disability and the pressures on carers and family, but Bavati is maybe too ambitious – trying to cover too many topics. In a slim volume she touches on racism, prejudice and discrimination, tiger parenting, artistic expression and the benefits of counselling, as well as DS and autism. It’s all very earnest and worthy, with some very unlikely dialogue, especially between teens, to ensure absolutely all the information is provided.