Zac & Mia is an Australian young adult novel written by A.J. Betts. The book was released on 24 July 2013.[1]
 First edition | |
| Author | A.J. Betts |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Text Publishing |
Publication date | 24 July 2013 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 304 |
| ISBN | 0-544-66878-2 |
Background
editBetts started writing the novel in 2009 after working on a cancer ward in a children's hospital. Betts' main inspiration was a young woman named Tayla, who died suddenly. She later continued writing when Tayla's mother encouraged her to continue.[2] Betts' main job previously was being an English teacher.[3]
Plot
editThe novel follows seventeen-year-old Zac Meier as he undergoes treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Perth, Western Australia. He meets Mia, a fellow cancer patient in the adjacent room, and the two quickly form a connection.[1]
Structure
editThe novel is divided into three sections, Zac, and, and Mia.[4] Several critics have noted similarities between the book and The Fault in Our Stars.[3][5]
Reception
editThe Australian praised the book, calling it "warm and uplifting".[4] Australian Book Review praised the use of the book's three-part format.[3] The Guardian also praised the format but criticised Mia's character.[5] Hypable, in a positive review, labelled the book "much more than your standard YA cancer novel", and called the multiple perspectives of the narrative "beautifully written".[6]
TV series
editThe book was adapted into a web series by AwesomenessTV,[7] which premiered on 7 November 2017 on go90. Anne Winters plays Mia, and Kian Lawley plays Zac.[2] The series was renewed for a second season following a "strong fan response".[8] The series was nominated for six Daytime Emmys in 2018, winning two including Outstanding Writing in a Digital Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for Winters[9][10] The second season was released on Hulu in February 2019.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Betts, A.J. "Zac and Mia". Goodreads. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ a b "7 Little-Known Details About the New 'Zac & Mia' Show". AwesomenessTV. November 1, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ a b c Nieuwenhuizen, Agnes (January 9, 2017). "Reading Australia: 'Zac and Mia' by A.J. Betts". Australian Book Review. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ a b Lawn, Joy (March 29, 2014). "Contemporary cool in young adult fiction". The Australian. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ a b "Zac and Mia by A J Betts – review". The Guardian. November 8, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Whyte, Marama (July 24, 2013). "Book review: Don't dismiss 'Zac & Mia' as your standard YA sick-lit". Hypable. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "'Zac and Mia' adapted for digital series". Books and Publishing. March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (November 29, 2017). "'Zac And Mia' YA Series Renewed For Season 2 By AwesomenessTV". Deadline. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Montgomery and Sheehan, Daniel and Paul. "2018 Daytime Emmy nominations: Full list of nominees for 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards". goldderby. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ^ "Perth author inspires Emmy-winning series". The West Australian. May 1, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ Ellenbogen, Rachael (February 12, 2019). "'Zac And Mia' Season 2: Star Anne Winters Teases New Relationships, Struggles". International Business Times. Retrieved September 12, 2021.