While most teens are dreaming about the future, Isabella Sumsion is already living hers, publishing a novel while still in Year 9. Gazette journalist Afraa Kori reports.
A Year 9 student from the Pakenham Campus of Beaconhills College has reached an extraordinary milestone, publishing her debut novel.
Unseen is a psychological young adult story exploring grief, belonging and hidden truths within an elite boarding school.
Isabella wrote and published the novel as part of her Year 9 Personal Best project, which is a 15-week initiative designed to challenge students to pursue ambitious personal goals.
The Year 9 Personal Best exhibition was held on both campuses, showcasing student-led projects that reflect creativity, ambition and personal growth.
Isabella’s debut introduces young adult readers to Lyra Blackwell, a student still grieving the loss of her mother.
Hoping for a fresh start, Lyra accepts a scholarship to the prestigious Halgrave Academy.
However, beneath the school’s polished exterior, unsettling secrets begin to surface, forcing Lyra to confront both the truth and her own sense of belonging.
A dedicated bookworm, Isabella recalls telling her Year 4 teacher she wanted to be “an author.”
“I’ve been an avid reader since I was little, and I always dreamed of one day being able to create a story like the ones I’d get lost in,” she said.
“It wasn’t until I was older that I believed it would be something I could actually do, though later in life, certainly not at this age.”
Now, seeing her own book in print feels “quite surreal.”
“I learnt a lot about myself throughout this journey but the main thing I figured out was that I can do whatever I put my mind to,” Isabella said.
“I know it’s a very cliché thing to say but once I decided to do this, there was nothing that was going to stop me from achieving my final goal.”
Isabella credited Middle School English teacher and author, Mr Harbis, as a key mentor throughout the process.
She also acknowledged the support of her family and friends, describing them as a vital source of encouragement throughout the project.
The novel was written under a tight timeframe, with Isabella allocating two weeks to planning, eight weeks to drafting, three weeks to editing and one week to cover design.
Balancing schoolwork, assessments, sport and writing presented challenges, particularly during exam periods, requiring careful planning and discipline.
Writer’s block and plot development were among the biggest hurdles, with Isabella turning to structured planning and taking breaks to gain fresh perspective.
Unseen was officially published on November 5, 2025, with the response from the school community described as overwhelmingly positive.
“It was slightly overwhelming, but in the best way,” Isabella said. “Seeing people take interest and be excited for me was an incredible feeling.”
While she plans to take a short break from writing, Isabella said she hopes to continue developing her skills, with future projects already in mind.
“Now that I’ve published my first novel, I know exactly what I’m capable of,” she said.
“I hope to one day be a New York Times bestselling author and now that dream seems one step closer.
“Whether that happens or not, I know I’m 100% going to keep improving my writing as I get older.”
Her advice to young people chasing their dreams is simple: “Just do it. There’s no point waiting around. I know it can be overwhelming but it’s so worth it in the end.”
Link to purchase: https://amzn.asia/d/0Q96Mu3
