I often sit and dream with all my might but nothing’s happened. Yet. Maybe I’m not wishing hard enough. Maybe I’m not very good at believing it. It feels like I spend all my time dreaming, waiting for the life I was supposed to have to appear.

Maisy Hayes is doing it tough. There’s never enough money, even for the simple things like having a decent breakfast. Her friends have given up inviting her out. And then there’s her sister’s serious illness, her overwhelmed mum, and her latch-key kid brother. It’s a lot. Maisy never hears from her dad—not now that he’s got a fancy life in a different city with his new wife and kids. Why would he care?

Maisy’s angry. She feels ripped off. And she’s a first-class expert at hiding it—at making excuses, at covering her shame, pretending it doesn’t exist. But pretending will only get you so far...

When Maisy’s dad insists she go and stay with him and then lavishes her with spending money and extravagant gifts, it’s everything she always wanted.

So why doesn’t it feel right?

Maisy is forced to question what she really wants—and she must find the power within herself to make it happen.

Maisy Hayes Is Not For Sale is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about hardship, coping with anger and frustration, and being true to yourself.

Allayne L. Webster grew up in rural South Australia and now lives in Adelaide. Her books include Sensitive—an IBBY Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities—the CBCA notable novels Paper Planes and A Cardboard Palace, the Adelaide Festival Awards–shortlisted The Centre of My Everything, and Our Little Secret, That Thing I Did, Selfie, which was shortlisted for a NSW Premier’s Literary Award, and Maisy Hayes Is Not For Sale, which was shortlisted for the 2024 Max Fatchen Fellowship.

‘A warm, reassuring hug. Allayne Webster is Australia's answer to Judy Blume.’ Pip Harry

‘Unputdownable. Pulls no punches in shining a light on poverty and one girl dreaming of a different life.’ Rebecca Sparrow

‘Webster’s characters, major and minor, are entirely believable.’ Sunday Age on Selfie

‘Allayne Webster has created an authentic teenage narrator’s voice and convincingly depicted the range and intensity of her feelings...Very well written and engaging, Selfie is highly recommended for young adults.’ Magpies on Selfie