Get them while they’re young | Ġimgħa, Sibt u Ħadd

An uncompromising look at contemporary Paceville culture aimed at the exact demographic it offers a fictional depiction of, Bugeja's novel garnered Merlin's attention after its author - an accountant by profession - won last year's edition of the Teenage Literature Award (organised by the National Book Council together with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ).

The award was set up specifically to encourage young adult literature in Malta, of which there was felt to be a lack. The genre is currently one of the most successful international literary cash cows, as evinced by the success of properties like JK Rowling's Harry Potter and Stephanie Meyer's series of Twilight novels, to mention just a few.

However, Merlin's Director of Publishing Chris Gruppetta said that "Young Adult sales for Maltese literature are probably the lowest from all age brackets, adding that  "the 'street cred' of a novel is of course crucial for the Young Adult market, as teens will not bother with anything they feel talks down to them, or talk beneath or above them.

"But also, there still is a higher resistance to reading in Maltese in the YA market than in other age groups. Progress is, however, being made. From Riħ Isfel to Sfidi, from the recent Deformity and Magna Mater to other Teenage Literature Award winners such as Rita Saliba's Inżul ix-Xemx, the YA in Maltese bookshelf is expanding," Gruppetta said.

Bugeja's novel tackles subject matter that is universal - if such a word can be used for our small island - to Maltese youth.

"It's an 'x-ray' of the teenage weekend world, and it's very much a reflection of the 2012 scene. As can be evinced from the title, the action happens mostly over one weekend - Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. Paceville, nightclubs, drinking, chatting up girls, gossip, BBQs... it's all there.

The story then takes a more dramatic turn with one of those sudden events that change one's life completely, irrevocably," Gruppetta added.

For more information, log on to: http://www.merlinpublishers.com/.