A life-affirming coming-of-age novel about friendship, family and the bittersweet beauty of growing up

This summer
I'll grow up

For as long as Billie can remember, summer has meant one thing: Pearl Beach. The idyllic seaside home belonging to her old Aunt Edith, and the place where she met her best friend, Andy.

But this summer, everything seems to be changing. Andy is more interested in makeup and boys than in Billie, and Aunt Edith has decided to stay with them for the whole summer. Edith is a Holocaust survivor, and whenever Billie tries to talk to her, her words seem to crumble under the weight of this knowledge.

Then Edith begins to share her story. Because she was once fourteen, too, and understands all too well the pain of growing up. What follows is a tale of first love, betrayal, and resilience. As the summer, and story, unfolds, so does a profound friendship between Billie and Edith. They may be generations apart but what they share will change both of them forever.

Details

ISBN13: 9781782695585
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 272
Edition:
Publication Date: 01 Sep 2026
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Publication City, Country: United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.8(H)x12.9(L)
Weight (gm):

Author Biography

Beth Steiner is an author of books for children and young people. As a passionate slam poet, she skilfully weaves poetry into her narratives, bringing a lyrical quality to her storytelling. Living in Sydney, Australia, Beth balances her writing with family life alongside three lively children. She is inspired by the remarkable resilience of the young people she's encountered during her time as a Primary School teacher.

Reviews

'The narrative of this poetic novel flows with lyrical ease, as Billie's golden childhood is mixed with shadows and pain. Perfect for readers of exactly the age of Billie, entering her teens, who will see themselves reflected in her'
Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy

'Pearl Beach is a delightful coming-of-age verse novel, pitched perfectly for pre-teens. Beth Steiner's poignant debut explores a painful cusp-of womanhood summer in all its complexity: who is Billie supposed to be, now she's not a girl anymore? The relationship between young Billie, her friends and her holocaust-survivor great aunt are tenderly and sensitively painted. It's a warm story, with layers of emotion under the carefully-chosen words'
Tia Fisher, author of Crossing the Line