Laura Bloom and Mika & Max

Mika & Max (Walker Books) is distinctive because of Laura Bloom’s superb writing, excellent characterisation and evocation of place. It is likely to be nominated for awards. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Laura. It’s a pleasure, Joy. Thanks so much for having me. Could you begin by telling us about some of your previous […]

Vikki Wakefield and This is How We Change the Ending

Inside the CBCA Short List Vikki Wakefield is one of Australia’s best contemporary YA authors. This is How We Change the Ending (Text Publishing) is her best book and my YA novel of the year. It may well be the perfect YA novel. It is highly engaging yet gives a profound insight into the character […]

Wai Chim and The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling (Allen & Unwin) is a young adult novel for mature secondary students. It has an engaging heroine, a vibrant bustling restaurant setting, a difficult home situation, and some weighty themes. Thank you for speaking to Paperbark blog, Wai. I reviewed your first novel, Freedom Swimmer, for the Weekend […]

T.C. Shelley and The Monster Who Wasn’t

T.C. Shelley’s debut novel The Monster Who Wasn’t (Bloomsbury Children’s Books) is for children aged nine and older. As we read, we discover that it has a well-formed classical narrative structure, and how it unfolds for the reader is utterly original and keeps us guessing. Thank you for speaking to Paperbark blog, Shelley. What is […]

Children’s & YA Literature Panel at the SLQ

I was fortunate to be part of the children’s and YA literature panel at the inaugural ‘Share the Vision: Teachers and Librarians Symposium 2019’ at the State Library of Queensland this week. The program and presenters are on the website. The wonderful @RhiannaPatrick from ABC Radio chaired our panel. Here are Rhianna’s questions and some […]

Tristan Bancks and Detention

Detention (Penguin Random House) is a highly memorable insight into a complex, fraught situation. It balances the terrible quandary of refugees detained in or near Australia with kindness and help. Thank you for speaking to Paperbark blog, Tristan. Pleasure! Thanks for being such a great advocate for my books and a positive force in children’s […]

Tristan Bancks and Detention

Tristan Bancks’ Detention (Penguin Random House) gives a highly memorable insight into a complex, fraught situation. It balances the terrible quandary of refugees detained in or near Australia with kindness and help. Thank you for speaking to Paperbark blog, Tristan. Pleasure! Thanks for being such a great advocate for my books and a positive force […]

Jannali Jones and My Father’s Shadow

My Father’s Shadow (Magabala Books) is a riveting, unputdownable YA thriller. I rarely say this, but I simply couldn’t stop reading it. High praise, particularly since this is Jannali’s debut novel. Thank you for speaking to Paperbark blog, Jannali. Thanks, Joy. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the book. What is your background and where […]

Malla Nunn and When the Ground is Hard

Inside the CBCA Shortlist When the Ground is Hard (Allen & Unwin) is an original, ultimately empowering young adult novel. Thank you for speaking to Paperbark blog, Malla. Where are you based and why have you written a YA novel after a career writing crime fiction? I live in a weatherboard house in Sydney and […]

Remy Lai and Pie in the Sky

Thanks for speaking with Paperbark blog, Remy. Thank you for having me! I was impressed and touched while reading Pie in the Sky (Walker Books Australia), your debut novel illustrated with comics about Jingwen, his younger brother Yanghao and their mother who move to Australia. You have shared intense feelings and experiences while keeping the […]