Egg by Clare Atkins & Harrison Vial

Egg by Clare Atkins, illustrated by Harrison Vial Clare Atkins is an exceptional Australian author who writes across a range of platforms, including YA novels, scriptwriting and now a stunning picture book, Egg (University of Queensland Press). Clare has a big heart and is able to embody her characters and their situations thoughtfully to create […]

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 […]

Abdulrazak Gurnah wins the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature

In exciting news Abdulrazak Gurnah has won the Nobel Prize for Literature. I was ‘in conversation’ with him at the 2011 Brisbane Writers Festival. He had been nominated for the Booker Prize for Paradise by then (and also the Whitbread) and we discussed his new novel (at the time), The Last Gift (published Bloomsbury) in […]

Heroes of the Secret Underground by Susanne Gervay

“You’re free too … You’re not trapped by the secrets of the past. You’re now a witness to the past. To honour those who have suffered and let no one ever forget so it cannot happen again. You’re free to create your future now.” (Heroes of the Secret Underground) Any introduction of Australian children’s author […]

Small Town by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Tony Flowers

“At school we learn about refugees. War. Famine. And persecution. People with nowhere to live.” Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords about Small Town, Phillip and Tony. Your new picture book Small Town (Puffin Books) tells an important story about a small town losing its residents and how renewal happens when refugees arrive. How would […]

Between Us by Clare Atkins

Between Us by Clare Atkins (Black Inc) is an Australian YA novel published in 2018. It continues to generate interest around the world. Winning the IBBY (Australia) Honour award for writing in 2019 has undoubtedly contributed to this recognition. IBBY (the International Board on Books for Young People) is an international network committed to bringing books […]

Snow by Gina Inverarity

“When I came into the world I brought a deep, soft quiet with me. For that is how the world is when it’s covered in snow. Quiet.” (Snow) Snow is New Zealand-based Gina Inverarity’s first YA novel. Her concept is brilliant and her writing extremely strong. It will no doubt be regarded as one of […]

Worse Things by Sally Murphy, illustrated by Sarah Davis

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “We have no words for her today but we are here to show her she is not alone.” (Worse Things) A new verse from Sally Murphy is a special occasion. Sally has written three great verse novels for children – Pearl Verses the World, Toppling and Roses are Blue – and […]

Rising Heart by Aminata Conteh-Biger

Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Aminata. Rising Heart is Aminata’s memoir (co-written with Juliet Rieden, published by Macmillan Australia). Aminata grew up in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and experienced the horrors of war, kidnapping and rape during the country’s 11-year civil war. She was brought to Australia as a refugee because her safety was […]

The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “Sounds to me like a young girl who was hurting and feeling let down by her friends. I think you should try to reach out to her and see if you can make amends. Show some grace. Some kindness.” (The Book of Chance) Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Sue. Thanks […]