Monuments
Lothian Children’s Books, 2019
“They built the world, now we have the power to change it.”
All sixteen-year-old Connor wants is his ex-best friend back in his life. That is until he stumbles across a trapdoor to a secret chamber under his school, and finds himself dangling upside-down from the ceiling. But that’s mostly Sally’s fault. When the mysterious trespasser invites Connor to join her on the search for ancient gods, it’s a distraction too good to refuse.
Together with a new friend, Locky, they must find the Monuments – gods who have been hidden for generations to protect humans from a powerful evil. The thing is, the Monuments need protecting too, and Connor isn’t sure who, himself included, can be trusted with the knowledge and power of the gods.
The first book in an exciting new series from bestselling author Will Kostakis.
Indie Book Awards, Young Adult Shortlist 2020
“What Kostakis brings to this weighty premise is his authentic voice, wit and heart − it is like nothing else you will read this year.” Mischa Parkee, BOOKS+PUBLISHING
“Monuments is page-turning adventure fiction peppered with humour, romance and high-stakes dramatic reversals that should leave its target audience hungry for more.” Cameron Woodhead, THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
“Monuments is the epic adventure today’s teenagers deserve.” Emily Booth, DYMOCKS
“The first book in this new series is as notable and ambitious as its title implies. It is a fast-moving drama, with a cast of capable, yet unintentional hero(ine)s compelled to step beyond the limitations of their humanity and fight for a better world. A drama well-seasoned with a flourish of romantic love, a side of comic relief and a good serving of moral fibre.” Natalie Platten, READINGS
“Wrapped up in this action-packed urban fantasy, Monuments delivers subtle commentary on power and influence. Having been thrust into the world of gods and Monuments, Connor must confront who he really is and what he stands for. Ignoring stereotypical YA representations, Kostakis has created authentic diverse characters. They grapple with real-life issues such as the loss of a friendship, the joy and nervousness of new relationships, and the ever-important issues of identity and belonging. Connor is equal parts witty, awkward and heroic. His blossoming relationship with Locky is sweet and adds a tenderness to the otherwise excitement-fuelled adventure.” Fiona Miller-Stevens, CBCA READING TIME
“Will Kostakis has blended realistic fiction, adventure and fantasy in his latest novel, and while this could result in a hideous mish mash of genre tropes, Kostakis has expertly plotted and planned and somehow he pulls off his rather ambitious plan. Monuments slips effortlessly between contemporary Sydney and the lives of ancient beings and while in some ways this seems a departure from ‘the Will Kostakis we know and love’, his whip-smart wit shines through as always and somehow it just works.” Megan Daley, CHILDREN’S BOOKS DAILY
“Monuments is a great book to read especially for teens because it depicts issues they face from day to day in a fantasy setting. This is one book I would have in my class so students could read.” Maria Komninos, READPLUS
A Lot Of Stuff Happens
Penguin Random House Australia, 2019
When stuff happens to Ned, Dale, Sean and Ethan at Monvale Primary, it’s just the everyday stuff.
You know, friendships, ghost stories, the school play, disappearing hamburgers, new teachers, singing monkeys and lions, the first day at school, confiscated phones, school flags made of underwear, living up to older brothers and sisters, warring dinosaurs.
Stuff that happens all the time when you’re in Year Five.
A collection of four awesome Stuff Happens books in one, from Australian favourites Adrian Beck, Andrew Daddo, Oliver Phommavanh and Will Kostakis, and edited by Susannah McFarlane, the concept creator behind Zac Power and Go Girl!
“Highly recommended. For a tome (thick book), this collection of humorous stories set in the fictitious Monvale school and featuring overlapping characters, is a quick easy read. Four separate stories combine despite separate narrators. The great thing about continuity is learning that a minor character floating in the margins of one story . . . can have his own set of challenges and strengths when it’s his turn to tell his story. While a potentially good read-aloud to enjoy and discuss collectively, this book will have a strong appeal to middle primary students – enough to warrant extra copies.” Deborah Robins, READPLUS
Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology
HarperCollins Australia 2017, 2018
Love is never as simple as Boy Meets Girl, not for a psychic teen anyway. Nothing spoils Boy Kisses Girl quite like a vision of Girl Dumping Boy. ‘I Can See The Ending’ is a brand-new story from William Kostakis.
‘I Can See The Ending’ appears alongside brilliantly entertaining short stories from beloved Australian young adult authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Ellie Marney, Jaclyn Moriarty, Michael Pryor, Alice Pung, Gabrielle Tozer, Lili Wilkinson and Danielle Binks.
‘I Can See The Ending’ is also available separately as an e-book.
WINNER: Australian Book Industry Awards, Book of the Year for Older Children 2018
Aurealis Awards, Best Young Adult Short Story Shortlist 2017
Aurealis Awards, Best Science Fiction Novella Shortlist 2017
The Inky Awards, Gold Inky Shortlist 2018
“This gorgeous #LoveOzYA anthology of short stories is one of my favourite things that has happened in 2017 so far. So many amazing Australian authors. So many delightful, magical, wonderful YA stories. It’s pure heaven!” Sarah McDuling, BOOKTOPIA
The Sidekicks
Penguin Random House Australia 2016
Harlequin Teen 2017
Ryan, Harley and Miles are very different people — the swimmer, the rebel and the nerd.
All they’ve ever had in common is Isaac, their shared best friend. When Isaac dies unexpectedly, the three boys must come to terms with their grief and the impact he had on each of their lives. In his absence, Ryan, Harley and Miles discover things about one another they never saw before.
An intricately woven story told in three parts, award-winning author Will Kostakis stuns with this heartwarming, masterfully written novel about grief, self-discovery and the connections that tie us all together.
WINNER: Angus and Robertson Bookworld Best of 2016, Young Adult
WINNER: IBBY Australia, Ena Noel Award 2018
Booktopia’s Best Books of 2016, Young Adult Fiction Shortlist
The Sydney Morning Herald, Best Books For Younger Readers 2016
Queensland Literary Awards, Griffith University Young Adult Book Award Shortlist 2016
Indie Book Awards, Young Adult Longlist 2017
The Inky Awards, Gold Inky Longlist 2017
CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Older Readers Notable Book 2017
New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards, Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature Shortlist 2017
Lambda Literary Awards, LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult Shortlist 2018
“While this is Kostakis’s American debut, his literary polish and deep understanding of teen storytelling is compelling and nuanced from the first page… A memorable experience with teens who grow to absorb tragedy and build a future on its foundation. VERDICT An excellent exploration of grief from a rising talent that belongs in all libraries serving teens.” Starred review, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“An engrossing study of relationships, unintended consequences, and the many-nuanced similarities and differences that makes us human. Male and female readers alike will be readily drawn into each character’s unique emotional journey and the tapestry of friendship they ultimately create.” Starred review, VOYA
“A masterfully written story filled with heart, sorrow, and hope.” Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Speak
“America, you are about to be introduced to the heartfelt, funny, wrenching and absolutely wonderful work of Will Kostakis. The Sidekicks will make your heart ache.” Sara Farizan, author of Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel
“Gutsy, ambitious, funny, sad and beautiful.” Melina Marchetta, Printz Award-winning author of On The Jellicoe Road
“The Sidekicks is a hypnotic story of friendship, loss, grief, self-discovery, and-most of all-love. Read this book. Trust me. I loved every word and you will too.” Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places
“Will Kostakis has written a vibrant, engaging book about relationships, coming out, divorce and loss – and still managed to work in lots of laughs.” Frances Atkinson, THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
“The Sidekicks will punch you in the soul at least a dozen times … You will be left with a goofy smile and an emotional high that will last for days. Maybe weeks! Possibly forever!” Sarah McDuling, BOOKTOPIA
“This is a masterful tale of coming of age with three young men at once horrified at their friend’s death but also searching for who they are. Highly recommended.” Fran Knight, READPLUS
“A contemporary book, wise and worthy, it is a welcome inclusion to the Australian young-adult world. Highly recommended.” Trish Buckley, CHILDREN’S BOOK DAILY
“It makes you look at life, relationships and finding yourself in a whole new light.” LAMONT BOOKS
Stuff Happens: Sean
Penguin Random House Australia 2014
Stuff happens sometimes.
Everyday stuff.
At school, at home, with sport, with mates.
For Sean it happened starting at a new school.
Sean has just moved from WA to Monvale where his parents grew up. Sean misses his friends and wonders if he’ll ever be able to make mates as good as the ones he has left behind…
If you enjoyed Sean, check out the rest of the books in the Stuff Happens series, available now.
The First Third
Penguin Random House Australia 2013
Life is made up of three parts: in The First Third, you’re embarrassed by your family; in the second, you make a family of your own; and in the end, you just embarrass the family you’ve made.
That’s how Billy’s grandmother explains it, anyway. She’s given him her bucket list (cue embarrassment), and now, it’s his job to glue their family back together.
No pressure or anything.
Fixing his family’s not going to be easy and Billy’s not ready for change. But as he soon discovers, the first third has to end some time. And then what?
It’s a Greek tragedy waiting to happen.
A painfully funny yet poignant contemporary Australian story for young adults, The First Third is the award-winning sophomore novel from Will Kostakis.
WINNER: The Inky Awards, Gold Inky 2014
GET READING! 50 Books You Can’t Put Down 2013
ISLN (Singapore) Red Dot Book Awards, Mature Readers Longlist 2013-14
CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Older Readers Shortlist 2014
Australian Book Design Awards, Best Design YA Book Shortlist 2014
Internationale Jugendbibliothek, White Ravens 2014
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, Young Adult Fiction Shortlist 2014
Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, Young Adult Fiction Award Shortlist 2016
KOALA Awards, Fiction for Years 7-9 Shortlist 2017
YABBA Awards, Fiction for Years 7-9 Shortlist 2017
“The relationships in this novel are gems, funny dialogue, wonderful characters, a story told with so much heart.” Melina Marchetta, Printz Award-winning author of Looking For Alibrandi
“The First Third is a gift of a novel. It proposes to the reader that there is a lovely simplicity of the human condition if only we can take a minute to find it.” Marama Whyte, HYPABLE.COM
“The First Third has a warm, authentic voice… just the right mix of humour and affection.” Maryanne Hyde, GOOD READING MAGAZINE
“This book reads like Will Kostakis putting his heart on his sleeve and his family on the page, and the result is nothing short of magnificent.” Danielle Binks, ALPHA READER
“Filled with wonderful dialogue, engaging characters and bucket loads of humour and heart, The First Third is another fantastic YA novel from Australian author Will Kostakis.” Susan Whelan, KIDS’ BOOK REVIEW
Not currently available
Loathing Lola
Pan Macmillan Australia 2008
Fifteen-year-old Courtney Marlow didn’t exactly think it through. She thought the offer to have her life broadcast on national television was the perfect solution to her family’s financial troubles.
She was wrong.
Mackenzie Dahl, the show’s producer, promised to show Australia a real tenager. Courtney was going to be a positive role model, someone on television without a boob job and an eating disorder.
Soon, everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame via a little bit of Courtney – especially her conniving friend Katie, and her stepmother, Lola. And Courtney is just beginning to realise that ‘ordinary’ does not translate to ‘entertaining’…
Funny, smart, silly and sweet, Loathing Lola is a biting debut from then-19-year-old author Will Kostakis. It’s described as Fight Club meets Gossip Girl. We don’t know if that’s a compliment, but we’re taking it as one.