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  • Published: 1 March 2012
  • ISBN: 9781869799007
  • Imprint: RHNZ Children’s ebooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 168

About Griffen's Heart



Told in smart, nifty prose by a veteran writer, this YA story is gentle with tough moments, has a more-or-less happy ending and real heart-appeal for 12 to 15-year-olds.

Told in smart, nifty prose by a veteran writer, this YA story is gentle with tough moments, and has real heart-appeal for 12 to 15-year-olds.
James Griffen is sixteen, with a bad heart. He’s on the hospital waiting list for a valve replacement. Meanwhile his physical activities are seriously curtailed so he gets about on his dead father’s Vespa – his lifeline. He’s a nerd. In contrast, his younger brother Ryan is tough and worldly-wise with a smart mouth.
Reflective, funny, self-deprecating, James falls for the hottest chick’ in school – who’s also the unlikeliest catch. Roxy is more like Ryan: cool, streetwise and angry. James is loyal in his affections and in spite of the thrashing his heart gets in the pursuit, he and Roxy form an odd bond.
There’s a street-fighting crisis, a near-death, and James finally gets his operation. A romantic, contemporary, urban story with great tension that will apepal to girls and boys.

  • Published: 1 March 2012
  • ISBN: 9781869799007
  • Imprint: RHNZ Children’s ebooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 168

Awards & recognition

Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction Award

Awarded  •  2010  •  Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction