Sensitive by Allayne L. Webster & IBBY

Book award season has begun! IBBY Australia congratulates Allayne L Webster and Asphyxia whose respective books Sensitive and Future Girl have been selected for the 2023 IBBY international catalogue of outstanding books for young people with disabilities. These books were selected from the following Australian nominations. The ten titles nominated by IBBY Australia are: The […]

A Weekend With Oscar by Robyn Bavati

ROBYN BAVATI WRITES: ON A WEEKEND WITH OSCAR Several years ago, I joined a local Toastmasters club and met Jacqui, a friendly and outgoing young woman with Down syndrome who attends our meetings with her dad. I have three adult children myself, and two of them had considerable difficulties at school. One of the ongoing […]

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 […]

Of Boys and Boats by Ian Trevaskis

I was first aware of Ian Trevaskis’s writing through his picture book Edge of the World (illustrated by Wayne Harris). This is a superb work. Ian’s new novel for young people, Of Boys and Boats (Ford St) is a very special book based on the author’s own early years in Geelong. Set in 1956 during […]

Ruby Tuesday by Hayley Lawrence

“Everything is quiet in the forest. For the first time in years, I don’t dream of falling when I close my eyes. No, I dream of flying.” (Ruby Tuesday) Ruby Tuesday is a thoughtfully composed tale about Ruby who lives in a forest near a small Australian town with her disabled mother. They are both […]

Tribal Lores by Archimede Fusillo

“But you’re from different tribes, Frankie. Us and them, we’re from different places mentally, historically, geographically, you know. It courses in our blood, all that stuff our parents brought over with them from the old country, even if we were born here. It’s part of who we are, good or bad.” (Tribal Lores) Archimede Fusillo […]

Three by Stephen Michael King

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “One … two … three. One … two … three. Every day was a skip and a hop for Three.” Three by Stephen Michael King (Scholastic Australia) is a beautifully moving, heart-warming story about gratitude. It is perfectly told for young children – and those who share books with them. It […]

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, […]

The Theory of Hummingbirds by Michelle Kadarusman

“Hummingbirds and angels don’t need two good feet. They have wings.” (The Theory of Hummingbirds) The Theory of Hummingbirds by Michelle Kadarusman (UQP) is an intriguing middle fiction novel with appealing, idiosyncratic protagonists Alba and Levi. It has an important message, told in a refreshing, imaginative way. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Michelle. Hello, […]