The Friendship Paradox
Published on 31. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-76118-168-9 (ISBN)
Description
Note to self: no matter how messy or confusing, the universe is an orderly place with physics to guide you.
High school is over. Dash is excited to spend their gap year working for the local science museum, travelling and teaching kids about physics. Maybe they'll even make a friend. People are part of the universe, so the laws of physics should also apply to them, right?
Except Dash discovers the workplace is just as challenging as school - relationships are confusing, students don't follow the rules and co-workers aren't what they expect. Then Dash meets Kay. Can opposites really attract? Or will Dash's attempts to use physics to understand their world repel a potential friend?
A heartfelt YA graphic novel about friendship and finding your place in a puzzling world by the highly acclaimed comic artist of the CBCA Notable graphic novel Stars in Their Eyes.
The Friendship Paradox is perfect for:
- Readers aged 13 and up who love funny and uplifting stories about friendship
- Fans of graphic novels like The Greatest Thing, Stars in Their Eyes and Heartstopper
- Readers who love comics and visual storytelling
Praise for The Friendship Paradox:
- 'Dynamic, nuanced, fun - a road trip and friendship story like no other!' Sarah Winifred Searle, multi-award-winning creator of The Greatest Thing
- 'There are three laws of the universe: 1) Aska is a great storyteller. 2) This book is good. 3) You need to get this.' Reimena Yee, Eisner-nominated creator of Seance Tea Party
High school is over. Dash is excited to spend their gap year working for the local science museum, travelling and teaching kids about physics. Maybe they'll even make a friend. People are part of the universe, so the laws of physics should also apply to them, right?
Except Dash discovers the workplace is just as challenging as school - relationships are confusing, students don't follow the rules and co-workers aren't what they expect. Then Dash meets Kay. Can opposites really attract? Or will Dash's attempts to use physics to understand their world repel a potential friend?
A heartfelt YA graphic novel about friendship and finding your place in a puzzling world by the highly acclaimed comic artist of the CBCA Notable graphic novel Stars in Their Eyes.
The Friendship Paradox is perfect for:
- Readers aged 13 and up who love funny and uplifting stories about friendship
- Fans of graphic novels like The Greatest Thing, Stars in Their Eyes and Heartstopper
- Readers who love comics and visual storytelling
Praise for The Friendship Paradox:
- 'Dynamic, nuanced, fun - a road trip and friendship story like no other!' Sarah Winifred Searle, multi-award-winning creator of The Greatest Thing
- 'There are three laws of the universe: 1) Aska is a great storyteller. 2) This book is good. 3) You need to get this.' Reimena Yee, Eisner-nominated creator of Seance Tea Party
Reviews / Votes
'Aska's dynamic style shines with nuanced characters and rich sense of place as Dash navigates the complexities of science and friendship while on a road trip like no other.' Sarah Winifred Searle, multi-award-winning creator of The Greatest Thing'There are three laws of the universe: 1) Aska is a great storyteller. 2) This book is good. 3) You need to get this.' Reimena Yee, Eisner-nominated creator of Seance Tea Party
'A rollicking adventure through science, relationships and the mess of life that offers a whole new way of understanding the world around and inside us.' Campbell Whyte, award-winning creator of Home Time
'A book that reminds us of our place in the vastness of the universe and the rarity of finding a true friend amongst it all. I feel truly grateful for how this book made me feel and think.' Mandy Ord, illustrator of the CBCA-shortlisted Chalk Boy
'Filled with vibrant colours and expressive characters, The Friendship Paradox is a colourful journey of self-discovery and friendship.' Books+Publishing
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Sydney
Australia
Publishing group
Allen & Unwin
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 13 to 18 years
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
568 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-76118-168-9 (9781761181689)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Aska (she/they) is an award-winning graphic novelist, an ex-quantum physicist and a big fan of the little doovalacky above the 's' in her name (which you pronounce 'Ash-ka'). A hugely engaging and popular presenter, Aska is passionate about visual literacy education. In addition to a catalogue of self-published comics, they have traditionally published more than a dozen books and graphic novels. Their recent titles include the YA graphic novel Stars In Their Eyes, which was a CBCA Notable Book, Stonewall Honor Book and nominated for the Comic Arts Awards of Australia. She is also a recipient of several government Arts grants, prizes and fellowships. Aska is an organising committee member for the Perth Comic Arts Festival, contributes regularly to The School Magazine, volunteered as Illustrator Co-ordinator in the WA branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for four years, has single-handedly run an animation festival, held a solo art exhibition about numbers in nature, and has been featured in an ABC TV documentary. When they're not creating children's books, Aska is travelling across Australia teaching eager students of all ages how to write with pictures. www.askastorytelling.com