Hometown written & illustrated by Shaun Tan (Allen & Unwin) “Feel with your head and think with your heart” (Hometown) Hometown is Shaun Tan’s exemplary new picture book/graphic novel. Interview with Shaun Tan, creator of Hometown Thank you for speaking with Paperbark Words, Shaun. Thanks! Grateful for the opportunity. How is Hometown a book for […]
Read More Hometown by Shaun Tan‘Crime, romance, fantasy and coming of age: the epic adventure of writing across middle-grade genres’ By A. L. Tait Guest author post by the amazing Allison Tait about writing across middle-grade genres for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog When I visit schools for author talks, I always tell students that the number one question […]
Read More A.L. Tait: the epic adventure of writing across middle-grade genresHow to Make the World Cup and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald Published by UQP Guest author post by Carla Fitzgerald about How to Make the World Cup and Survive Grade Five for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Students would often give me ideas for my next ‘survive grade five’ book during school […]
Read More How to Make the World Cup and Survive Grade Five by Carla FitzgeraldS.I.G.M.A. 1 Web of Spies by Tim Ayliffe Published by Simon & Schuster “ ‘It’s not always about winning, mate,’ Henry Speed had said. ‘It’s about doing your best. Being your best. You learnt something about yourself today. How to be brave.’ “ (Web of Spies) Author Interview with Tim Ayliffe Thank you for […]
Read More S.I.G.M.A. 1 Web of Spies by Tim AyliffeSamantha Wheeler & The Lost Island Author Interview: Samantha Wheeler Samantha shares her thoughts about nature and her new middle-fiction novel, The Lost Island, with Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Wonder Before Worry. How books can help children develop closer connections with nature by Samantha Wheeler A connection with nature goes beyond simply being outdoors. We sometimes talk about […]
Read More Samantha Wheeler & The Lost IslandThe Nardi Puzzle by Gabriella Page (Wombat Books) With shades of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but set in an escape room scenario, Gabriella Page’s The Nardi Puzzle is a middle-fiction page-turner. Article by Gabriella Page for PaperbarkWords blog: On doing the things that scare you I was 21 when I arrived in Italy. I […]
Read More The Nardi Puzzle by Gabriella PageProtector of Beyond by Shara Curlett (Penguin Books) “ ‘Today, you will have the honour of touching an Oath Stone,’ Charleston announces. ‘For those of you who produce a spark, you will leave this realm forever, entering into a training programme to fulfil your lifelong duty as a Protector of Beyond.’ ” (Protector of Beyond) […]
Read More Protector of Beyond by Shara CurlettTerrible Tails: The Last Sipper written & illustrated by Adin Milo (Berbay Publishing) “Nestled in a valley of mountains and surrounded by forests, the Terrible Tail Tavern sits along Old King’s Road … in the kingdom of Austerra.” (Terrible Tails: The Last Sipper) The Last Sipper is the first book in Adin Milo’s ‘Terrible Tails’ […]
Read More Terrible Tails: The Last Sipper by Adin MiloWe Saw What You Started & We Did It Anyway by Carla Salmon INSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST (Pan Macmillan Australia) “I’d assumed Jasper was joking, since it’s impossible to tell when he’s being serious or sarcastic. His thick Aussie drawl means all his sentences end with a cheerful upward inflection. But breaking into the […]
Read More We Saw What You Started & We Did It Anyway by Carla SalmonEIGHTY-NINE QUESTIONS FOR AFTER by Ashleigh Barton Lothian Children’s Books Ashleigh Barton writes about her wise, compassionate middle-grade novel, Eighty-nine Questions for After for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog Eighty-nine Questions After – Unanswerable Questions Guest author post by Ashleigh Barton Eighty-nine Questions for After centres around Ester Star’s list of unanswerable questions. […]
Read More EIGHTY-NINE QUESTIONS FOR AFTER by Ashleigh Barton
