When Billy Was a Dog by Kirsty Murray, illustrated by Karen Blair

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Young children, and those sharing When Billy Was a Dog with them, will love this warm, appealing story. Written by Kirsty Murray and illustrated by Karen Blair (published by Allen & Unwin) this picture book is shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia 2020 Early Childhood category. Thank you for […]

Deep Water by Sarah Epstein

“I’m always telling Dad that country people are far too trusting. Everyone may know everyone in small towns, but can we ever truly know anyone?” (Deep Water) Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Sarah. Thank you for having me, Joy! Where are you based and how are you involved in the Australian YA community? I […]

Ursula Dubosarsky & Ask Hercules Quick

Ask Hercules Quick by Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Andrew Joyner Ask Hercules Quick is a beautifully imagined and composed story by esteemed author Ursula Dubosarsky about Hercules who does odd jobs to save for a box of magic tricks. The story incorporates humour and intrigue and, while complete and satisfying, provides space for children to […]

Bold Tales for Brave-Hearted Boys by Susannah McFarlane

I thoroughly enjoyed Susannah McFarlane’s previous book Fairytales for Feisty Girls and Susannah has now written a companion book, Bold Tales for Brave–Hearted Boys. Both these books are full of child-appeal and are lovely gifts. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Susannah. A pleasure, thanks for the opportunity! Where are you based and how are […]

Brisbane Writers Festival 2019 ‘Compassion’ with Tim Costello, Eve L Ewing & Ben Hobson

‘This Way Humanity’ was the theme of the Brisbane Writers Festival this year. I was honoured to moderate a session, The Incredible Uplift of Compassion, a subject that embodied the theme. Authors on the panel were the venerable Tim Costello, vivacious Chicago-based Marvel writer Eve L. Ewing and Ben Hobson, Brisbane-based author of two recent […]

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 […]

Here Comes Stinkbug! by Tohby Riddle

Inside the CBCA Shortlist This is the 30th and final of this year’s CBCA shortlisted books that I have written about for PaperbarkWords blog. I have included a synopsis and ideas to use in the classroom for each book. Congratulations to all the shortlisted creators and we look forward to celebrating the winners and honour […]

Malla Nunn and When the Ground is Hard

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 write from my kitchen […]

The Mediterranean by Armin Greder

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Mediterranean (Allen & Unwin) is a picture book for mature readers. It is not for reading pleasure. It is deliberately confronting, aiming to shock the reader with the terrible issue of dead refugees. The quote at the end of the book tells us that the story is based on the […]

Changing Gear by Scot Gardner

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Scot Gardner explores the young male experience with authenticity, most unexpectedly in the incomparable The Dead I Know, set in a funeral parlour, and most recently in Changing Gear (Allen & Unwin), which is very well written and engaging. Gardner hooks the reader into Changing Gear with some retrospective interaction between 10-year-old […]