Future Girl by Asphyxia

“I accept being deaf. I know it’s my lot in life. It doesn’t bother me. I’d rather be deaf than perpetually ill or academically slow or … whatever. So … why the hell am I sniffing like mad, tears snaking down my cheeks?” (Future Girl) Future Girl is Asphyxia’s debut YA novel. It is an […]

Mo and Crow by Jo Kasch & Jonathan Bentley

Mo and Crow by Jo Kasch, illustrated by Jonathan Bentley (published by Allen & Unwin) Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Jo. Thank you for having me! This is my first ever chat so I’m very excited. Where are you based and what is your background, particularly in television? What is some of the work […]

Cuckoo’s Flight by Wendy Orr

Cuckoo’s Flight (Allen & Unwin) is the third in Wendy Orr’s lauded novels for young people set in Ancient Crete. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Wendy. The creation of your three companion novels Dragonfly Song, Swallow’s Dance and Cuckoo’s Flight is a truly remarkable achievement. Did you always intend to write more than one […]

The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst by Jaclyn Moriarty

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “For several years – decades actually – Spellbinders have been worried about the oceans.” (The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst) It is such a pleasure to return to Spindrift in the Kingdom of Storms in Jaclyn Moriarty’s new book, The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst (Allen & Unwin). This is her third stand-alone […]

Catch Me If I Fall by Barry Jonsberg

“We’re like one of those fairy stories Mum used to read us at bedtime, Ashleigh. A princess and her prince brother in our beautiful tower… But we know nothing about the world out there … The real world.” (Catch Me If I Fall) Some of Barry Jonsberg’s early YA novels, The Whole Business with […]

Pierre’s Not There by Ursula Dubosarsky & Christopher Nielsen

Pierre’s Not There is full of wonder. It is a memorable and ground-breaking new story for 8-12-year-olds by Ursula Dubosarsky (published by Allen & Unwin). As well as being imaginative and relatable, it has a bold structure – the narrative becomes a puppet play. When I heard about this book, I was desperate to read […]

The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

The Other Side of the Sky is another stunning collaboration between Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner. It is published by Allen & Unwin. It is a dual narrative featuring a duel between science and magic. It traverses power and politics, climate change, romance, identity, prophesy, colour, music and light. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, […]

The Erasure Initiative by Lili Wilkinson

It was such a pleasure to speak with Lili for the launch of her new YA novel, The Erasure Initiative (Allen & Unwin) at Readings Bookstore, Melbourne. I’ve enthusiastically read Lili’s books since the start of her career, beginning with Joan of Arc (on which I wrote the teacher notes for the publisher) and Scatterheart, […]

My Friend Fred by Frances Watts, illustrated by A. Yi

Inside the CBCA Shortlist My Friend Fred by much loved and awarded author Frances Watts, illustrated by A. Yi (published by Allen & Unwin) is ideal for both cat and dog lovers. Even though they are very different from each other, the cat and dog in this tale can still be friends. The story is […]

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 […]