Scar Town
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  • Published: 1 August 2023
  • ISBN: 9780143791812
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $17.99

Scar Town

Winner of the CBCA Book of the Year Younger Readers 2024

Formats & editions
Paperback
1 Aug 2023
EBook
1 Aug 2023
Audiobook
1 Aug 2023
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A missing father. A drowned town. A buried secret. Three friends on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth.

Seven years after Old Scarborough was drowned, a house is emerging from the water. Will and his friends Dar and Juno dare each other to explore it.

But when they find bones – and a stash of cash – they realise they’re not the only ones interested in its secrets.

Now they’re fighting for their lives against the men who want what they found. Will can’t leave the mystery alone, though. What if the bones belong to his missing dad?

A DANGEROUS JOURNEY TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH IN A TOWN THAT WANTS THE PAST TO STAY BURIED.

From the bestselling Australian author of Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention and Cop & Robber.
  • Published: 1 August 2023
  • ISBN: 9780143791812
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $17.99
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About the author

Tristan Bancks

Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, the Tom Weekly series, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs, a 100th anniversary book of short stories based on characters created by his great-great uncle, Jimmy Bancks, in 1921. Tristan's books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including a Children's Book Council of Australia Honour Book, the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, ABIA, YABBA, KOALA, NSW Premier's Literary Awards and Queensland Literary Awards. His latest book is Cop and Robber, a tense, fast-paced crime novel with lots of laughs for age 10+.

Tristan is a writer-ambassador for literacy non-profit Room to Read. He is currently working with producers to develop a number of his books for the screen. He's excited by the future of storytelling and inspiring others to create. You can find out more about Tristan’s books, play games, watch videos, join his Young Writer's StorySchool and help him try to change the world at tristanbancks.com.

portrait photo of Tristan Bancks

Also by Tristan Bancks

Two Wolves
Detention
The Fall
Cop and Robber
Ginger Meggs
Nit Boy
Tom Weekly 6: My Life and Other Failed Experiments
See all

Praise for Scar Town

A taut and fraught fast-paced rollercoaster of hidden dangerous secrets, family betrayals, misplaced trust and the bonds of friendship that can sustain in the most terrible of circumstances ... It’s a fabulous and thrilling journey this one, and readers will eat it up, just as I did over just one night’s binge-read ... Highly recommended for readers from upper primary upwards.

Sue Warren, Just So Stories

Tristan Bancks, with his cinematic style and fast-paced plots, is an expert at asking the reader to consider what they would do if they were in the same situation as his characters . . . Bancks has written an action-packed nailbiter that asks young readers to question how far they would go for the truth.

Shannon Wong-Nizic, The Guardian

Awards & recognition

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Winner  •  2024  •  Younger Readers

South Australian Literary Awards

Winner  •  2024  •  Children's Literature

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Shortlisted  •  2024  •  Older Readers

Discover more

Article
Scar Town wins Book of the Year award for Younger Readers

The Children’s Book Council of Australia has named Tristan Bancks's novel as the Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2024.

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Two Penguin Random House books have been shortlisted for the 2024 CBCA awards

Check out the Penguin Random House books that have been shortlisted.

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CBCA Book of the Year Notables 2024

5 Penguin books have made the Notables list this year. Learn more about them here.

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Stock your school library with these wonderful books

26 books for school libraries that students will love.

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Celebrating 100,000 copies sold of 'Two Wolves'

We caught up with children's author Tristan Bancks to talk about reaching this exciting milestone, his writing process, and what fans can expect from him next.

Teachers' notes
Scar Town

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