Reading guides Sonya Hartnett

The Devil Latch (1996) is one of the books in which Sonya Hartnett delves deep into the psyche of a young person who has a difficult and traumatic past. There are only a few dramatic incidents, although they hold considerable power. The emphasis lies instead with the psychological conflicts between and within the characters. The Ghost’s Child (2007) differs from most of Sonya Hartnett’s other books for young adults in that it is not nearly as dark. It involves grief and pain, but ultimately the story resolves itself into a life-affirming reconciliation.