A WEEKEND WITH OSCAR
Sixteen-year-old Jamie lives with his mum and his younger brother Oscar, who has Down syndrome. Though Jamie is still grieving the loss of his dad, life starts to look up when he meets Zara, the new girl at school. When their mum goes away for the weekend, Jamie volunteers to look after Oscar. But when the weekend is over and their mother doesn’t return, Jamie faces the toughest challenge of his life.
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A moving #LoveOzYA novel about loss, first love and being there for your family, no matter what.
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Winner of the 2024-2025 Prix Première Victor
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On writing a Weekend With Oscar
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“…a deeply moving portrayal of what it is like to have a sibling with a disability…This isn’t a perspective that’s shown very often, and it’s presented in an honest, realistic way…Insightful and sensitive, this is a book that should be read widely.”
Rachel le Rossignol, Reading Time
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"What a moving book! Bavati has succeeded in writing a warm, engrossing story…This would make an ideal class novel or literature circle book as it raises issues of accountability and dealing with grief. Readers too, will grow in empathy and understanding of children living with a sibling with a disability.”
Pat Pledger, Read Plus
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“This is a tremendously heart-warming coming of age novel… a great story for teen readers that would also be an ideal text to use with lower to middle secondary students to explore issues of empathy, compassion, disability and grief. It also looks at first love and friendship, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Reviewed by Rob, Lamont Books
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“…one of the most delightful YA narratives I’ve read in some time… a beautiful funny and poignant coming-of-age story that will enchant…lower secondary students in particular… it explores the sometimes fraught, but also enriching, experience of having a sibling with a disability… Highly recommended for readers from around Year 7 upwards – it’s just a pure delight.”
Sue Warren, Just So Stories