The CBCA shortlist for 2026 is here! There are some great books on this list, and some where I think it will be hard to decide. It’s always tough because there are so many good books entered into awards. When there are so many of high quality, with good storytelling or good information, it can… Continue reading CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist
Tag: writing
Alice-Miranda at Camp by Jacqueline Harvey
Title: Alice-Miranda at Camp Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Fiction/Mystery Publisher: Puffin Published: 17th September 2019/1st September 2014 Format: Paperback Pages: 352 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: This school camp is full of secrets and surprises! An exciting announcement has been made, and Alice-Miranda and her schoolmates are going on camp. There are sleep outs, treasure hunts and… Continue reading Alice-Miranda at Camp by Jacqueline Harvey
Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero by Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall, illustrated by Wally Wilfred
Title: Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero Author: Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall, illustrated by Wally Wilfred Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: NLA Publishing Published: 15th February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 48 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: In the remote Roper River region of the Northern Territory more than 120 years ago, an Alawa man committed an act of such exceptional… Continue reading Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero by Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall, illustrated by Wally Wilfred
Good Luck and Other Lies by Catriona McKeown
Title: Good Luck and Other Lies Author: Catriona McKeown Genre: Fiction Publisher: Wombat Rhiza Published: 7th June 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 296 Price: $21.99 Synopsis: Imagine being one of six high school students who win a 50-million-dollar lotto prize. What would you buy first? The latest phone? A new wardrobe? A fancy car to learn… Continue reading Good Luck and Other Lies by Catriona McKeown
The Counting Sheep by Natashia Curtin
Title: The Counting Sheep Author: Natashia Curtin Genre: Humour Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st March 2026 Format: Pages: Price: $24.99 Synopsis: There once were four friends who loved playing music together. But every time they began to play, something strange happened ... What if every time your band played music everyone fell fast asleep? This… Continue reading The Counting Sheep by Natashia Curtin
The King’s Conservatorium by Emma Cameron
Title: The King’s Conservatorium Author: Emma Cameron Genre: Fantasy/Junior Fiction Publisher: Wombat Books Australia Published: 3rd September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 184 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: In the Kingdom of Elatha, where music and song are outlawed, orphaned brothers Garlan and Cadell flee abusive foster parents. Like many people in their world, they make their way… Continue reading The King’s Conservatorium by Emma Cameron
My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna
Title: My Brother Otto Author: Ingrid Laguna Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Text Publishing Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 176 Price: $14.99 Synopsis: Quinn’s not happy about all the fuss her mum and Alex are making about the new baby. She’s sick of their excitement. She likes things the way they are: just the three… Continue reading My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna
Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer by Bethany Loveridge
Title: Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer Author: Bethany Loveridge Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 3rd September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 230 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Harper Wells finally gets a room of her own, away from her annoying big brother. But on the first night in her brand-new bed, she wakes up in the past… Continue reading Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer by Bethany Loveridge
Sunday Reilly is All Out of F*cks to Give by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios
Title: Sunday Reilly is All Out of F*cks to Give Author: Meaghan Wilson Anastasios Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Fourth Horseman Books Published: 20th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 296 Price: $5.99 Kindle/$26.99 Paperback Synopsis: SUNDAY REILLY IS ALL OUT OF F*CKS TO GIVE Life might be telling Sunday Reilly she’s past her use-by date. But she’s… Continue reading Sunday Reilly is All Out of F*cks to Give by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios
giwang by Belinda Bridge, illustrated by Peta-Joy Williams
Title: giwang Author: Belinda Bridge, illustrated by Peta-Joy Williams Genre: Language and learning Publisher: Aboriginal Studies Press Published: 1st November 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: The dry central western region of New South Wales is Wiradjuri Country. Here, the landscape slips from one weather cycle into another as hot, dry and windy… Continue reading giwang by Belinda Bridge, illustrated by Peta-Joy Williams
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