Book Review - A Weekend with Oscar by Robyn Bavati

 A Weekend with Oscar

By Robyn Bavati

My Review:

This is an utterly captivating read. Bavati invites readers into the world of Jamie, and his younger brother, Oscar. Sixteen-year-old Jamie is still grieving the death of his father, while trying to navigate high school, good grades and the interesting new girl who just started in his accelerated learning class.

Jamie’s world is just starting to feel like it is moving forward again after the unexpected death of his father. He meets Zara who, for the first time in a long time, is somebody he can talk to and connect with. Zara has a sister with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and has also experienced challenges life can have when living with a sibling who has a disability. The two begin to bond over family, school and Zara’s art. Then one weekend Jamie’s mother must go away. Jamie volunteers to take care of his younger brother while she is gone. What seems like a simple enough task, soon becomes the biggest challenge Jamie has had to face.

Oscar’s world revolves around structure and order. As a young person with Down Syndrome, he needs support in most things he does. Jamie is used to the looks, sniggers and whispered comments from people that don’t understand Oscar. But Jamie must also deal with everything else needed to help Oscar navigate his own world. The respect and admiration Jamie has for his mother, who now has to do these things without their dad, quickly grows. Bavati allows Oscar’s quirks and personality to shine through with just the right level of love, frustration and understanding from Jamie. The bond between the brothers is beautifully written.

When Jamie’s mother doesn’t return after the weekend and he can’t get in touch with her, he realizes it is up to him to keep both his and Oscar’s worlds together. Jamie refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of his mother’s disappearance, nor will he consider giving up on his brother. Jamie must draw on all his resources, strength and support from people around him to get through the long days ahead. He must also begin to really face the grief still felt from the death of his dad. Eventually, Jamie must make a difficult decision, but he has no idea the truth that will be uncovered about what happened to his mother.

Readers will connect with the well-rounded characters woven into this story. Bavati creates a completely relatable and believable world; from struggles at school and weekly team sport commitments to first romance and coping with the class bully. All these areas play an important role in Jamie’s life, until his focus shifts to the care and wellbeing of Oscar.

It is an introduction to conversations around relationships, living in an inclusive world and the acceptance of others. Of particular importance is the subtle themes within the storyline around asking for help. It reminds the reader that it is okay to reach out and get support if they need it. That it’s okay to not be okay.

Strongly recommend you read this YA fiction if you enjoy contemporary fiction with themes of family, relationships and overcoming challenges.

From the publisher Walker Books

A moving #LoveOzYA novel about loss, first love and being there for your family, no matter what.

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 Weekend with Oscar by Robyn Bavati
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an utterly captivating. Bavati invites readers into the world of Jamie, and his younger brother, Oscar. Sixteen-year-old Jamie is still grieving the death of his father, while trying to navigate high school, good grades and the interesting new girl who just started in his accelerated learning class.

Jamie’s world is just starting to feel like it is moving forward again after the unexpected death of his father. He meets Zara who, for the first time in a long time, is somebody he can talk to and connect with. Zara has a sister with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and has also experienced challenges life can have when living with a sibling who has a disability. The two begin to bond over family, school and Zara’s art. Then one weekend Jamie’s mother must go away. Jamie volunteers to take care of his younger brother while she is gone. What seems like a simple enough task, soon becomes the biggest challenge Jamie has had to face.

Oscar’s world revolves around structure and order. As a young person with Down Syndrome, he needs support in most things he does. Jamie is use to the looks, sniggers and whispered comments from people that don’t understand Oscar. But Jamie must also deal with everything else needed to help Oscar navigate his own world. The respect and admiration Jamie has for his mother, who now has to do these things without their dad, quickly grows. Bavati allows Oscar’s quirks and personality to shine through with just the right level of love, frustration and understanding from Jamie. The bond between the brothers is beautifully written.

When Jamie’s mother doesn’t return after the weekend and he can’t get in touch with her, he realizes it is up to him to keep both his and Oscar’s worlds together. Jamie refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of his mother’s disappearance, nor will he consider giving up on his brother. Jamie must draw on all his resources, strength and support from people around him to get through the long days ahead. He must also begin to really face the grief still felt from the death of his dad. Eventually, Jamie must make a difficult decision, but he has no idea the truth that will be uncovered about what happened to his mother.

Readers will connect with the well-rounded characters woven into this story. Bavati creates a completely relatable and believable world; from struggles at school and weekly team sport commitments to first romance and coping with the class bully. All these areas play an important role in Jamie’s life, until his focus shifts to the care and wellbeing of Oscar.

It is an introduction to conversations around relationships, living in an inclusive world and the acceptance of others. Of particular importance is the subtle themes within the storyline around asking for help. It reminds the reader that it is okay to reach out and get support if they need it. That it’s okay to not be okay.

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