'Out Walked Mel' By Paula Boock Longacre Press 1997, Softcover, 80 pages. In good condition, ex-Teachers College copy with stamps etc on front endpage, otherwise all pages clean.

A gripping book for teenage readers by award-winning writer — fast-paced, punchy and much loved. Mel is short, stroppy and never knows when to keep her mouth shut. When she interferes with her best friend Wai's interaction with none other than the Minister of Education, and the interference isn't appreciated, Mel storms out. Out of school and out of home - and heads north. Running to her self-centered father or her boyfriend are not easy answers either and the greatest shocks still lie ahead. At first she sees it as an escape from a past and present too messy to deal with. But standing up for yourself is one thing; facing the consequences is quite another.

Mel's return journey from one end of New Zealand to the other turns into a discovery of not only truths about her past, but also truths about herself.

'The most nicked book in schools'. Mel is instantly familiar - mixed-up, smart, and sassy.'

"Here is a new voice in New Zealand fiction" a young voice, in touch with a culture which is unmistakably contemporary." ~NZ Books

Amazon reviews: "Out Walked Mel won best first book award the year it was published and has since been reprinted three times. It's fast paced, punchy and very popular with young teenage girls. It's used by several schools - it's contemporary style hits the just right note. Many schools use the book with their English programme. Everyone wants this book to be longer - which is great!"

"Young Adult fiction which deals with big themes such as discovering one's own sexuality. It is the story of the travels of a teenage girl over much of the length of New Zealand (Dunedin to Cape Reinga and back.) The troubled rebellious character engages most readers and the language is easy to follow."