What was Josie’s dad thinking? Moving them from Melbourne to a small country town was bad enough, but into the general store? Which he was going to run? If it didn’t fall down first. Life was clearly going to be very different.

First published in 1977, General Store is Hazel Edwards’s first YA novel. It paints an authentic picture of teenage life before mobile phones, iPads, or even personal computers. Some things are the same, though: you need a best friend, people love footy, boys can be cute—and bushfires are a deadly threat.

Hazel Edwards OAM is an award-winning author. She has written novels for younger readers, middle-grade readers, young adults and adults, as well as non-fiction. And, of course, picture books, including the bestselling There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake (1980), illustrated by Deborah Niland, which was adapted for film and as a stage musical. For more information visit www.hazeledwards.com.