New YA author makes herself invisible

A new YA novel has been released based on the author’s experience of working with adolescents with mental health issues. It is Sylvie the Second by Kaeli Baker. 

Kaeli Baker is the pen name of a young Auckland writer who has worked in the area of youth psychiatric care, so she prefers to write without using a name her patients are familiar with. Sylvie the Second is Baker's first novel for young adult readers (suitable for 15–21 years), and it deals with issues such as overdosing and self-harm.

Despite the serious nature of the material, the novel is a warm and engaging story of a young woman who feels she always comes second to the needs of a sister with precarious mental health. Sylvie has to figure out a way to carve a space for herself in a world where she feels invisible. Baker says she has seen how difficult it is for those siblings, and felt such a character would be the basis of an interesting story.

Mākaro Press editor Anna Golden says the novel is sensitively written, and makes good use of affection and humour. 

‘The author clearly knows what she's talking about, and yet she manages difficult scenes with a light touch. Not preachy or condescending, Sylvie the Second is a compelling and well-crafted story. To balance the heavy stuff, there’s a lot there too about hanging out with friends, meeting boys and eating pizza,’ she says. ‘I wish this book had been around when I was younger.’

Sylvie the Second by Kaeli Baker is the fourth YA title released by the Submarine imprint of Mākaro Press.

Submarine is an imprint of Mākaro Press • Sylvie the Second is in B format, 246pp, RRP $25
ISBN 978-0-9941065-3-7 • Available in bookstores • Distributor: GPM