Halley's Comet - by Hannes Barnard (Paperback)

About the Book

"In the final years of South Africa's Apartheid era, an unlikely trio--a sheltered white rugby player, a black farmworker's son, and an Indian shopkeeper's daughter--discover the consequences of knowing the truth and having the courage to speak it. Halley's Comet is the coming-of-age story of Pete de Lange, a white 16-year-old schoolboy, set in small-town South Africa in 1986. Pete lives a relatively sheltered life, primarily concerned with girls and rugby-- until one January night changes everything. Thrust together with two complete strangers--Petrus, a black farmworker's son and Sarita, an Indian shopkeeper's daughter--the trio find themselves running for their lives from the vicious Rudie, whose actions will ripple far beyond that fateful night. This era-defying friendship--sparked by a shared secret-- challenges everything Pete thought he knew and believed. And when anti-Apartheid revolutionaries set their sights on the town, it will change the course of the three young people's lives forever. Halley's Comet is a story of friendship, love, change, taking chances, hope, a comet, and some pretty cool 80s music."--

Book Synopsis

A 2024 IBBY Honour List Selection

A CBC Spring 2024 Showcase Selection

In the final years of South Africa's Apartheid era, an unlikely trio-a sheltered white rugby player, a black farmworker's son, and an Indian shopkeeper's daughter--discover the consequences of knowing the truth and having the courage to speak it. Halley's Comet is the coming-of-age story of Pete de Lange, a white 16-year-old schoolboy, set in small-town South Africa in 1986. Pete lives a relatively sheltered life, primarily concerned with girls and rugby-- until one January night changes everything. Thrust together with two complete strangers--Petrus, a black farmworker's son and Sarita, an Indian shopkeeper's daughter--the trio find themselves running for their lives from the vicious Rudie, whose actions will ripple far beyond that fateful night. This era-defying friendship--sparked by a shared secret-- challenges everything Pete thought he knew and believed. And when anti-Apartheid revolutionaries set their sights on the town, it will change the course of the three young people's lives forever. Halley's Comet is a story of friendship, love, change, taking chances, hope, a comet, and some pretty cool 80s music.

Review Quotes

"Halley's Comet is an outstanding coming-of-age novel with believable characters and strong storyline. The author describes that era of the South African history with particular skill. This book cuts deep, very deep. The end is momentous, but it takes the reader to dark and troubled times before offering an end that is likely to leave even the toughest reader in tears." -DEKAT Magazine (South Africa)

"This novel, about the slow blooming of love and friendship in a dusty mining town in South Africa made me think of a tough little weed that grows between concrete: it's tenacious, defiant and hopeful. It's also a cracking good story." - Bridget Krone, author of Small Mercies

"5 Works of World Literature for Teen Readers" -Kirkus

"With a sprinkling of the original Afrikaans and countless contextual details - places, brands, music in the background, food, drink, and of course the search for Halley's Comet itself - Barnard transports readers back to a specific period in time, one that may be familiar to older readers who were teenagers looking for Halley's Comet themselves, or one that young adults today can explore and reflect on for the first time. This YA story is a crossover novel that is bound to stay with readers - young and old - long after they finish it!" - World Kid Lit Blog

"A thrilling, tension-filled story of friendship, love, radicalism, and justice that will resonate with many readers" -Kirkus Reviews