INSIDE THE 2023 CBCA NOTABLE BOOKS

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Books for 2023 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator at PaperbarkWords blog. NB I will add reviews and interviews here and on the Inside the 2023 Shortlist page on the blog (once the shortlist is announced) until the winners […]

Running with Ivan by Suzanne Leal

RUNNING WITH IVAN by SUZANNE LEAL Published by Angus & Robertson (HarperCollins Australia) “Take it from me, Leo, at thirteen you can do almost everything. Never forget this. Difficult things, courageous things: they are all possible, even at thirteen. No, especially at thirteen.” (Running with Ivan) Suzanne and I first met while judging the NSW […]

David Almond & Paper Boat, Paper Bird

Paper Boat, Paper Bird by David Almond, illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman (published by Hodder Children’s Books, Hachette) Author interview with David Almond David Almond is a creator of Promethean depth and reach. He has won the world’s most prestigious literary awards for young readers and his books are devoured by children, young adults and beyond. […]

The Silver Moth by Carol Lefevre

The Silver Moth by Carol Lefevre When ‘The End’ is a Beginning: writing a sequel to Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse Carol Lefevre As a child, when you truly bond with a book, some part of you never quite accepts that its final page is the end of the story. This was my experience […]

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne Christmas gift / book review A recommended gift book for Christmas is Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (published David Fickling Books). Noah Barleywater Runs Away was the first book I was commissioned to review for the Weekend Australian in 2010. The book […]

Kate Gordon Whalesong

Whalesong by Kate Gordon (published by Riveted Press) Author interview with Kate Gordon “Threads. All the way through the ages. Binding us together. Threads made of blood and history and bearing hearts. And hope. That is what we are, Aberdeen. We are hope. Young people, young women, like you and me. We are hope. You […]

THE WINTRISH GIRL by Melanie La’Brooy

THE WINTRISH GIRL by Melanie La’Brooy Melanie La’Brooy writes about The Wintrish Girl, her debut novel for young readers for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog. The Wintrish Girl explores high fantasy archetypes of identity, light and dark and the quest. It has moments of unexpected humour and layers of meaning that are perfectly integrated […]

No Words by Maryam Master

No Words by Maryam Master “Words have power.” (No Words by Maryam Master) Maryam Master’s debut children’s novel Exit Through the Gift Shop (illustrated by Astred Hicks) is shortlisted for the 2022 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers category. No Words, her new children’s /middle-fiction novel is equally important and powerful. Not a memoir […]

The Bravest Word by Kate Foster

The Bravest Word by Kate Foster Kate Foster follows Paws, her well-received novel for children with The Bravest Word (Walker Books). This book is about a boy who is finding life difficult and discovers that he depression. Kate writes engagingly and with authenticity to create empathy and understanding. Kate is a brave and talented author […]

How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald

How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald An exciting and entertaining new voice, children’s author Carla Fitzgerald writes about her timely, funny and thoughtful debut novel How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five (University of Queensland Press) for ‘Joy in Books’ at PaperbarkWords: How to be Prime Minister […]