I have closely followed Nova Weetman’s writing for children and young adults since her 2014 YA debut The Haunting of Lily Frost and was on the Aurealis judging panel when it was shortlisted. I reviewed Nova’s second YA novel Frankie and Joely for the Weekend Australian, as well as Everything Is Changed and her first […]
Read More The Edge of Thirteen by Nova WeetmanLorraine Marwood is an acclaimed verse novelist for children. She won the inaugural Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Children’s Fiction with Star Jumps and was joint winner of the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards with Leave Taking. Lorraine writes with great eloquence about her important new verse novel, […]
Read More Footprints on the Moon by Lorraine MarwoodThe Genesis of Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal by Rosanne Hawke The wonderful Rosanne Hawke has written about her new book Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal and how it fits into her flood series. Set in Pakistan, these books are of great appeal and interest for mid to upper primary and […]
Read More Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal by Rosanne Hawke“I will be the sort of person who survives in this new world.” (When We Are Invisible) Claire Zorn is one of Australia’s best and most highly awarded contemporary YA authors. Her novels The Protected and One Would Think the Deep have won major awards, including the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, the CBCA Book of […]
Read More Claire Zorn and When We Are Invisible“I suppose it was told this way because people expect that a girl would choose her beauty over anything else. But maybe one day you will write your own version of the story about a girl who overcomes her hardships instead.” (Girl of the Southern Sea) Michelle Kadarusman has swept onto the Australian and international […]
Read More Michelle Kadarusman and Girl of the Southern Sea“Be brave. Take risks. We’ll heal the bruises with love.” (Zoe, Max and the Bicycle Bus) Steven Herrick is a much-loved Australian writer. He is particularly well known for his verse novels for children and young adults and, although all his books are superb, his verse novel The Spangled Drongo is one of my […]
Read More Zoe, Max and the Bicycle Bus by Steven Herrick“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, […]
Read More The Theory of Hummingbirds by Michelle Kadarusman“I am going to the Olympics. Not just as a spectator because anyone can do that. I will be a competitor. I haven’t found out which sport I’m good at yet.” (As Fast as I Can) Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Penny. I have read all your books since being on the CBCA judging […]
Read More As Fast as I Can by Penny TangeyBrisbane author Amanda O’Callaghan has crafted a thoughtful, darkly-hued work in This Taste for Silence (UQP). This, her debut collection of short stories seems to be set in both Australia and the UK. The cover, with its still-life arrangement of three flying porcelain ducks and a comfortable but empty (apart from a painting) chair in […]
Read More This Taste for Silence by Amanda O’CallaghanInside the CBCA Shortlist Ghost Bird is an exceptional YA debut by Wuilli Wuilli woman, Lisa Fuller. It explores the relationship between Stacey and her very different twin Laney, who disappears. Stacey seems to share some of Laney’s experiences through nightmares and she resolves to find her despite times of deeply unnerving danger. Thank you […]
Read More Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller
