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Golden
Published 3 June 2025
ISBN 9781923059276
Format EBook
Extent 304pp

Golden

Formats & editions
Paperback
3 June 2025
EBook
3 June 2025
Buy from…
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Honour Book, CBCA Book of the Year Award for Older Readers, 2026

A life-affirming, upbeat story about friendship, loss, first love, what it is to be an artist, and life in an idyllic Australian beach town—from an exciting new YA voice.

I play around with the colours for a few minutes, mixing them with the white. The colours I end up with aren’t perfect, but they’ll do. I don’t know why I like pastel colours so much. My life would be easier if I could get into dark colours, but what can I say? My heart is made of pastel confetti.

Golden is a warm-hearted optimistic story about friends and friendship and art and beauty—and the power of letting yourself be loved…

When you work in the juice bar of your small coastal town.

When your twin brother is the fun one with all the friends.

When something happened a year ago that you can’t talk about, but everything makes you remember it.

When it might have been all your fault.

When going to the beach, to that beach, takes all the air out of your lungs.

When you’re training for the town’s annual Mud Run that you’re not even sure you want to enter.

When you’re drawn to colours and pencils and paint, but you’re not an artist.

When the new guy in town, the one who makes you feel you’re charged with electricity, seems to want to hang out with you.

When it comes time to let your friends back in.


‘An exceptional glimpse into how one family grapples with grief and change.’ Book Muse

‘A deeply moving tribute to the power of friendships and sibling relationships. Heartbreaking and heart healing—and it's funny, too. What a gem of a book!’ Miranda Luby

‘Golden is exactly what we need in Australian young adult fiction right now—it is authentic, readable, relatable and dark without being depressing.’ Karys McEwen, author of The Paperbark Tree Committee

‘A book full of colour and beauty...Not to be missed!’ Kids’ Book Review
Published 3 June 2025
ISBN 9781923059276
Format EBook
Extent 304pp
Categories:

Awards & recognition

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Honour Award  •  2026  •  Older Readers

Praise for Golden

‘A charming book about friendship, first love, and reclaiming happiness after a devastating trauma.’

Books+Publishing

‘Nails the whole summer coastal vibe.’

NZ Listener

‘Funny and revealing…Written with optimism and feeling, Jade Timms’ debut is worthy of being shortlisted for the Text Prize.’

BookPeople

‘A beautifully written young adult novel that takes you on an emotional journey.’

Buzzwords

‘Golden was shortlisted for the Text Prize, and this is not surprising once you have read this heart-warming novel. Highly recommended.’

Magpies

‘A heartfelt, emotionally rich young adult story full of hope, recovery, and the sweet power of letting yourself be loved.’

Yellow Shelf

‘Sad, funny and real, this page-turner is uplifting, and the hopeful conclusion is very satisfying…It has all the ingredients.’

Good Reading

‘This punchy Australian story makes for an easy and enjoyable read.’

SAETA Journal

‘[Golden] glows with heart and humour…A tender, affirming read…about love, art, and letting colour back into your life.’

CBCA Reading Time

Rights for Golden

Rights held: World 

Discover more

Article
Golden is a CBCA Book of the Year Awards Honour Book!

Congratulations to Jade Timms! Golden has been recognised as an Honour Book for Older Readers in the 2026 CBCA Books of the Year Awards.