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  • Published: 28 April 2020
  • ISBN: 9781760895945
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $21.00

The Tell




Action, crime and intense family drama combine to create a powerful story in the vein of Two Wolves or a young Boy Swallows Universe.

The world turns on moments like these. Crossroad moments; a toss of the coin . . . I see half my face in deep shadow, eyes glittering like diamonds, the resemblance to my father never stronger.
Rey Tanic is not like other 14-year-olds. His dad is a mafia boss. His dad is also in jail. When Rey’s life explodes, every decision he makes will shape the rest of his life. How far does the apple really fall from the tree?

Cinematic and gripping. Powerful writing for young teens. - Candice Fox, bestselling author of Gone by Midnight.

  • Published: 28 April 2020
  • ISBN: 9781760895945
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $21.00

About the author

Martin Chatterton

Martin Chatterton was born in Liverpool, England, and has been successfully writing and illustrating for over thirty years. He has written dozens of books for children and illustrated many more, collaborating with a number of illustrious authors along the way, including several British Children's Laureates. His work has been published in fourteen languages and has won or been shortlisted for numerous awards in Australia, the US and the UK. As Ed Chatterton, Martin writes crime fiction, screenplays and historical fiction and several of his books are in development with various TV and film producers. Martin is also well known as a children's performer and tours globally. In 2017 Martin gained his PhD and is currently working on an animated feature related to his doctorate. After a period spent living in the US, he now divides his time between Australia and the UK, where he is a partner in a media production company.

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Praise for The Tell

Appealing characters, high suspense and non-stop action make for a gripping middle-grade read.

Katharine England, SA Weekend

The Tell is a gritty yet thoughtful novel balancing equally a fast-paced thriller with a coming-of-age story . . . Chatterton has produced a novel that shares the best of Australian young adult writing – a strong narrative, a thumping heart at its core, and a main character full of resilience and hope.

Trish Buckley, CBCA Reading Time

Chatterton's razor sharp narrative style and cutting teen voice flip unlikely into, 'Can I come too!'

Dimity Powell, Dim's Write Stuff

Discover more

Video
The Tell by Martin Chatterton | Read Aloud Extract | Chapter One

Seen from any angle, the Coffin is one seriously ugly pile of stones. . . Read an extract: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945/extracts/2259-the-tell More info: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945/extracts/2259-the-tell Find THE TELL in your local bookstore. Recommended for ages 12+. #TheTell MartinChatterton

Video
The Tell by Martin Chatterton | Book Teaser 4 | Run & Hide

Fourteen-year-old Raze Tanic is running clean out of options and now there's only one place left to hide. . . Read an extract: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945/extracts/2259-the-tell More info: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945 Find THE TELL at your local bookstore. Recommended for ages 12+. #TheTell #MartinChatterton

Video
The Tell by Martin Chatterton | Book Teaser 3 | Plan B

Plan B is flat out nuts. We're just three kids. How are we going to stop the biggest crime gang in Sydney? Only one way to find out. Read an extract: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945/extracts/2259-the-tell More info: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945 Find THE TELL in your local bookstore. Recommended for ages 12+ . #TheTell #MartinChatterton

Video
The Tell by Martin Chatterton | Book Teaser 2 | MCT

You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends. Meet MCT – the graffiti crew. "We're MCT. Our initials: McLafferty, Cooper, Tanic. We've been painting as a crew for a few years, starting out as nothing but 'toys' – beginners – but now MCT is all-city. We're everywhere . . . We know it's against the law, blah blah blah, but what we do isn't just scrawl." - Excerpt from Chapter 2, The Tell. Read an extract: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945/extracts/2259-the-tell More info: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945 Find THE TELL at your local bookstore. Recommended for ages 12+. #TheTell #MartinChatterton

Video
The Tell by Martin Chatterton | Book Teaser 1 | Dejan Tanic

Fourteen-year-old Raze Tanic has a major problem. As well as all the usual stuff, his dad is Australia's toughest crime boss. But things just got a whole lot worse . . . Read an extract: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945/extracts/2259-the-tell Find THE TELL at your local bookstore: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945 Recommended for ages 12+. #TheTell #MartinChatterton

Video
The Tell by Martin Chatterton | Book Trailer

Action, crime and intense family drama combine to create a powerful story in the vein of 'Two Wolves' or a young 'Boy Swallows Universe'. The world turns on moments like these. Crossroad moments; a toss of the coin . . . I see half my face in deep shadow, eyes glittering like diamonds, the resemblance to my father never stronger. Rey Tanic is not like other 14-year-olds. His dad is a mafia boss. His dad is also in jail. When Rey’s life explodes, every decision he makes will shape the rest of his life. How far does the apple really fall from the tree? Check it out: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tell-9781760895945 Book trailer created by Martin and Danny Chatterton. #TheTell #MartinChatterton