Shortlist: Book of the Year: Older Readers

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry intended for ages 13-18 years.

Samantha Caruana-Butler's presentation slides from the Book Week Forum

Davina Bell The End of the World is Bigger than Love. Text Publishing 9781922268822

• Themes: fantasy - fairy tale - magic realism - post-apocalyptic - love
• Links to reviews and teaching notes https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/the-end-of-the-world-is-bigger-than-love
• #LoveOzYA Author Q&A With Davina Bell https://loveozya.com.au/love/loveozya-author-qa-with-davina-bell/
• Video of Davina Bell in conversation with Cecile Shanahan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZHl_feLGBw

Zana Fraillon The Lost Soul Atlas. Hachette Australia 9780734419934

• Themes: Memory - Family (Blood and otherwise) - Power - Death, Dying and the Afterlife - Coming of Age, Rite of Passage - Responsibility & Consequences - Maps – Personal / Community History
• Characters: Twig - Da - Krruk - Flea - Meeples
• Link to Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials series
• Teachers resources https://cdn.hachette.com.au/resources/9780734419934-teachers-resources-2.pdf
• Video of Zana Fraillon and her writing space https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea8gQX4QpH0
• Video of Zana Fraillon introducing the book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w0m9OO0xCY

Jane Godwin When Rain Turns to Snow. Hachette Australia 9780734420053

• Themes: coming of age - friendship - adoption - family secrets - divorce and step families - perils of social media
• Age: 12+
• Teachers notes
• Children's Books Daily review https://childrensbooksdaily.com/book_reviews/when-rain-turns-to-snow/
• Video of Jane Godwin talking about the book https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=SEO----&v=693979441148046
• CBCA judges comments, link to teachers notes and Reading Time review

Cath Moore Metal Fish, Falling Snow. Text Publishing 9781922330079

• Themes: Grief - Family - Identity - Death
• Publishers website and teachers notes
• Video of Cath Moore talking about her book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRwDXDTKX54
• “You do not have to explain who and what you are. That is not your job. There are many things you must do, though. You must realise that your words and wishes are your own. You must rise up when anger draws you to confront injustice and sit down when you are tired and need to rest. You must love and laugh and cry, reach out for help and draw on your inner strength. You are a wondrous mix of people, places, songs and stories. You might not feel it now, but that is a gift you will unwrap when the time is right for you.” A letter Cath Moore wrote to her readers
• CBCA judges comments, Reading Time review and link to teachers notes

Christie Nieman Where We Begin. Pan Macmillan Australia 9781743535660

• Themes: family secrets - teen pregnancy - alcoholism/addiction - domestic violence - generational trauma - poverty - treatment of First Nations peoples - dual narratives and timelines
• review in Reading Time https://readingtime.com.au/where-we-begin-by-christine-nieman/
• Video of Christie Nieman talking about the book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJtDu4K970o

Anna Whateley Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal. Allen & Unwin 9781760525309

• Themes: Disability & Neurodiversity - Teens - Romance LGBTQI - Mental Health - Gender Representation
• Audience: 13 – 18 yrs old
• Characters: Peta Lyre, Jeb and Sam
• “Inhale. Exhale. Survive.” is what Peta tells herself.
• Normal Rating: 7 / 10
• Video of Cass Moriarty (Avid Reader) is in-conversation with Anna Whateley for the launch of Peta Lyre's Rating Normal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcIFgOKpMws

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