September 2002

This is a list of Australian books that have won awards and are currently in print. When no books are mentioned for a particular year, then the winning books are no longer available. The names of a number of the Awards have changed over the years and additional Awards have been included. For a complete list of all the winning titles, see the Austral Ed web site: www.australed.iinet.net.au

Winners of the Book of the Year Award: Older Readers (NB Some of these books are for older readers)

2002 Forest by Sonia Hartnett pb $19.95 An unusual story of three domestic cats who are dumped in a forest. The story is told from the perspective of the cats, both domestic and feral.

2001 Wolf on the Fold by Helen Clarke pb $16.95 Six beautifully written evocative stories cover three generations of a family. Each of the stories deals in some way with fear. It is a powerful and moving book. (11 up)

2000 48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls pb $16.95 A very funny book which describes Dan in his final year at school as he endeavours to cope with calculus and to disguise his total lack of home survival skills while sharing a house with two young women who are at University. (14 up)

1999 Deadly, Unna? by Phillip Gwynne pb $17.95 Blacky’s growing friendship with an Aboriginal Aussie Rules football player is the focus of this book while the narrowness and pervasive racism of an Australian country town and Blacky’s first love are also described with a wicked sense of humour. (13 up)

1998 Eye to Eye by Catherine Jinks pb $17.95 The interaction between Jansi, a young scavenger of the desert and PIM, the computer brain of a damaged star ship makes fascinating reading. (9 - 14 years)

1997 A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove by James Moloney pb $18.95 Carl Matt seems dogged by failure but through his determination and some good friends he is able to turn things round. A complex moving novel. (13 up)

1996 Pagan's Vows by Catherine Jinks pb $16.95 Roland and Pagan take monastic vows but as corruption becomes exposed in the monastery, the story develops into a highly exciting medieval thriller. (11 up)

1995 Foxspell by Gillian Rubinstein pb $14.95 A gripping story where fantasy, the spirit world and reality merge. (10 - 14 years)

1994 The Gathering by Isobelle Carmody pb $16.95 A gripping fantasy novel about a group of teenagers who fight to prevent the inhabitants of Cheshunt from being overwhelmed by an ancient evil. (12 up)

1993 Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta pb $16.95 It has been a bestseller with adolescents and adults because of its vitality and exuberance. Josephine is Australian, of Italian background in her final school year.

1991 Strange Objects by Gary Crew pb $16.95 An unusual psychological thriller which uses diary entries, newspaper clippings etc to tell the story. (14 up)

1990 Came back to Show you I could Fly by Robin Klein pb $16.95 The moving story of a friendship between an 11 year old boy and Angie, 17 years old, and struggling to free herself of a drug dependency. (12 up)

1988 So Much to Tell You by John Marsden pb $12.95 Written in diary form, this is the story of a girl who has been so traumatised that she refuses to speak aloud. It was John Marsden's first novel. (12 - 16 years)

1983 Master of the Grove by Victor Kelleher pb $16.95 A gripping fantasy novel. (11 - 14 years)

1982 The Valley Between by Colin Thiele pb $15.95 Set in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, this is an absorbing story of a boy growing up in the German community there. (11 - 14 years)

1981 Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park pb $16.95 An excellent time-slip story in which Abigail finds herself in the old Rocks area of Sydney in the 1870s. (11 - 14 years)

Winner Book the Year: Younger Readers

2002 My Dog by John Heffernan illus by Andrew McLean hb $24.95 A moving understated story of terrible suffering as a consequence of ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia, seen through the eyes of a young boy.

2001 Two Hands Together by Diana Kidd pb $12.95 Ella is confused when her father seems to object to her growing friendship with a warm and friendly Aboriginal family. A well told sensitive story which is also a positive statement for reconciliation. (8 — 12 years)

2000 Hitler’s Daughter by Jackie French pb $14.95 An absorbing thought-provoking book about the power of story and the nature of evil. Can the children be blamed if a parent does something terrible? (9 — 14)

1999 My Girragundji by Meme McDonald & Boori Pryor pb $13.95 An engaging story about a young Aboriginal boy who finds the powerful spirit of his pet frog helps him overcome his fears of the Hairyman and of bullies at school. (8 - 13)

1998 Someone Like Me by Elaine Forrestal pb $14.95 Tas gets into a lot of trouble for an ordinary kid. Why do certain kids pick on him and why does he react so fiercely? An absorbing well written story. (7 - 11 years)

1997 Hannah Plus One by Libby Gleeson illus Ann James pb $ 12.95 Hannah is certain her mother will have another set of twins leaving her the odd one out. An engaging story. (6 - 9 years)

1996 Swashbuckler by James Moloney pb $14.95 Peter takes on these heroic swashbuckling roles with determination but there is sadness and humour in the reason why. (8 - 11 years)

1995 Ark in the Park by Wendy Orr (illus by Kerry Millard) pb $10.95 A visit to the petshop with the apt name of the "Ark in the Park" sparks off some new friendships for Sophie. (8 - 11 years)

1994 Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda pb $11.95 A charming story which contains many of the elements of traditional fantasy - the quest, the dragon and obstacles like misty swamps. (8 - 11 years)

Winners of the Junior Book of the Year Award

1992 The Magnificent Nose and other Marvels by Anna Fienberg pb $10.95 A collection of fantastical short stories. (8 - 11 years)

1991 Finders Keepers by Emily Rodda pb $11.95 An amusing fantasy story involving computer games. (8 - 11 years)

1989 The Best-Kept Secret by Emily Rodda pb $10.95 A novel about moving house and growing up.

1988 My Place by Nadia Wheatley pb $16.95 By moving backwards in decades from 1989, this picture book shows how a particular neighbourhood in Sydney has changed from an urban street to the first white settlement and before to the time when the Aborigines lived there. The story is told through the eyes of the various children who lived there.

(7 - 14 years)

1987 Pigs Might Fly by Emily Rodda pb $12.95 An amusing fantasy. (8 - 11 years)

1985 Something Special by Emily Rodda pb $10.95 A simple story about a young girl who finds something special among the clothes for the stall.

1984 Bernice Knows Best by Max Dann pb $10.95 A very funny story, reprinted in the popular Aussie Bites series.

Winners of the Book of the Year: Early Childhood (Picture Books)

2002 "Let’s get a Pup!" by Bob Graham hb $27.95 A delightful story about a warm zany family who decide to get a pup from the Dog Rescue Centre and come home with Dave, a bouncy excitable puppy and Rosy, an old homely dog.

2001 You’ll Wake the baby by Catherine jinks illus by Andrew McLean pb $14.95 Annie and Andy are playing - and trying their hardest to play quietly so that they don’t wake the baby. So difficult.

Winners of the Picture Book of the Year Award

2002 An Ordinary Day illus by Armin Greder, text by Libby Gleeson hb $24.95

A dull grey day for Jack changes dramatically when his imagination transforms the scene around him and he swims with whales. The text is sparse and finally disappears as the illustrations alone carry the story.

2001 Fox illus by Ron Brooks text by Margaret Wild hb $27.95 This highly acclaimed beautifully illustrated book is a moral fable about the friendship between Dog and Magpie. A story of friendship, freedom and loyalty. (7 up)

2000 Jenny Angel by Margaret Wild illus by Anne Spudvilas hardback $25.95 A moving story about a girl who believes that she is her brother’s guardian angel and as long as she and he believe, then he will not die. Beautifully illustrated

1999 The Rabbits illus by Shaun Tan (writer John Marsden) hb $24.95 pb $12.95

A sophisticated allegory for older readers. A simple text and beautiful illustrations show the damage to the land, environment and the original inhabitants caused by invaders (rabbits? or humans?) (11 years up)

1998 The Two Bullies by Junko Morimoto pb $14.20 Striking illustrations using both traditional and modern elements of style give this Japanese tale of boasting and trickery a wonderful exuberance.

1997 Not a Nibble Elizabeth Honey pb $12.95 Susie is determined to catch a fish but doesn’t even get a nibble. However her persistence is rewarded as she is the one to see the whale and her calf out to sea.

1995 The Watertower illus by Steven Woolman (text by Gary Crew) pb $13.20 There is a growing sense of menace, of an alien threat in this picture book for sophisticated readers. Stunning illustrations.

1990 Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten by Bob Graham pb $10.95 A delightful story of young children befriending a fierce old man.

1992 Window by Jeannie Baker pb $14.20 This collage book has an environmental theme as the view from the window changes over time.

1991 Greetings from Sandy Beach by Bob Graham pb $12.95 Very amusing portrait of a family camping trip to the beach.

1990. The Very Best of Friends by Margaret Wild illustrated by Julie Vivas pb $13.95

A very moving story, about friendship and loss.

1989 Joint Winners: Drac & the Gremlin by Allan Baillie illustrated by Jane Tanner pb $13.95 The fantasy games that the two children play in the garden almost come to life through photo-realistic drawings.

and The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base pb $18.95 This is a wondrously complex feast and game all in one.

1988 Crusher is Coming by Bob Graham hb $22.95 pb $12.95 Crusher’s tough image evaporates as he spends all his time playing with Pete’s little sister.

1984 Bertie and the Bear by Pamela Allen pb $13.95 Rhythm and repetition and bold illustrations make this an appealing book.

1983 Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen pb $12.95 Which of the animals sank the boat? Appealing story making use of a science concept.

1979 The Quinkins by Dick Roughsey and Percy Tresize pb $11.99 A traditional Aboriginal story.

1978 John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat by Jenny Wagner illustrated by Ron Brooks pb $14.95 A subtle story about love and possessiveness.

1974 The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek by Jenny Wagner illustrated by Ron Brooks pb $14.95 A classic with marvellous text and illustrations. The bunyip stirs from the billabong but doesn't know who he is and none of the animals or people that he meets are much help.

1971. Waltzing Matilda (text A B Paterson) pb $14.95 This well loved traditional poem and song is beautifully illustrated.

Winner Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

2002 Papunya School Book of Country & History by Papunya School Publishing Committee hb $29.95 This book shows the history of the Papunya region in the centre of Australia through the eyes of the staff and students. It is wonderfully refreshing to read an account from the Aboriginal viewpoint in such an innovative collage format, vibrant with drawings, paintings, maps and painted photographs. (9 up)

2001 Olympia: Warrior Athletes of Ancient Greece by Dyan Blacklock illus by David Kennett pb $16.95 Stunning illustrations present a striking image of the fierceness of the competition and of the whole spirit of the original Olympic Games. (8 up)

2000 Fishing for Islands: Traditional Boats & Seafarers of the Pacific by John Nicholson hardback $25.90 pb $14.95 Nicholson links his obvious love of boats and his interest in their design, decoration and building with the history of the settlement of the Pacific region. (9 - 16 years)

1999 Going for Kalta : Hunting for sleepy lizards by Yvonne Edwards & Brenda Day hb $21.95 pb $10.95 Photographs and simple text by an Aboriginal community give instructions for hunting kalta (sleepy lizards), killing, cooking and eating them. (6 - 11)

1998 A Home Among the Gum Trees by John Nicholson pb $14.95 An absorbing well illustrated account of the buildings in Australia from Aboriginal shelters to suburban houses and the reasons behind the various styles.

1996 The First Fleet: A New Beginning in an Old Land by John Nicholson pb $14.95 Excellent description of the preparation, the journey and the first settlement of Europeans in Australia. (8 - 13 years)

1990. V for Vanishing: An Alphabet of Endangered Animals by Patricia Mullins pb $12.95

Working within the framework of an alphabet, Patricia Mullins' collages illustrate a variety of endangered wild animals throughout the world.

1993 Tjarany Roughtail: The Dreaming of the Roughtail lizard and other Stories by Gracie Greene, Joe Tramacchi and Lucille Gill pb $16.45 Ostensibly it's a picture book, but it also combines traditional stories with stunning art in the traditional style with information on Aboriginal culture and language.

If you would like to order any of the books listed above, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or email. All prices are in Australian dollars.

For additional lists of recommended books and newsletters from Austral Ed, visit our website www.australed.iinet.net.au

© Kate Shepherd 2008.