Pet

In Catherine Chidgey's "Pet," twelve-year-old Justine becomes enchanted by her new teacher, sharing the feelings of admiration that many of her classmates have. However, as a thief targets the school, Justine's unease grows, leading her to question her loyalties amid a web of deception and guilt. Set against the backdrop of 1980s New Zealand, the novel explores themes of racism, misogyny, and the influence of Catholicism, positioning itself alongside classic narratives of childhood betrayal.