A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson

A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers. Congratulations on A Wreck of Seabirds being shortlisted by the CBCA, Karleah.It’s the best YA novel I’ve read in ages. And thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. Author Interview: Karleah […]

Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong

Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong (published by Allen & Unwin) Review and author interview “I want to create something that makes people gasp in revelation with each new level.” (Two Can Play That Game) ***** Book Review Review of Two Can Play That Game by Joy Lawn in Magpies magazine, March 2023 […]

The Verse Novels of Kathryn Apel

The Verse Novels of Kathryn Apel Author Interview “Why can’t we all just be friends?” (Too Many Friends) Australia is a leader in verse novels for young readers and Kathryn Apel is one of our major writers in the field. Kathryn’s engaging and affirming verse novels, Bully on the Bus (2014), On Track (2015), Too […]

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 […]