In A Common Hour

In a Common Hour by Sita Walker is a sharp, big-hearted contemporary Australian novel set in a public high school where one ordinary lunchtime can tilt everything off course. Parks State High is a lively tangle of misfits, friendships and quiet heartbreaks: Oliver Fish, a teen philosopher juggling a secret relationship; Dev Desai, falling hard for the brilliant Maryam Fadel; and a staffroom held together by gossip, loyalty and exhausted humour.

At the centre is Paul “Bushie” Bush, a much-loved teacher whose steady presence keeps more people afloat than he realises. When a disgruntled student makes a devastating choice, the ripple effects move through classrooms, corridors and families, revealing how tightly connected a school community really is.

Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction, school stories, Australian settings and thoughtful books about teachers and teenagers.

Add it to your basket and see how much can happen in a common hour.