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. This is not a complete list of all the winning titles,
just those back to the early 1880s. For a complete list of all
Award winners (including those that are out of print) check out
the Children's Book Council of Australia website www.cbc.org.au
Kate
Shepherd
Winners of the Book of the Year Award: Older
Readers
(NB Some of these books are for older readers)
2007 Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan pb $17.95
Margo Lanagan’s beautifully written, otherworldly stories are loved by judges and she wins many awards. However I am not sure how many students will appreciate these highly original, often disturbing stories. (14 years up)
2006 The Story of Tom Brennan by J.C.Burke pb
$16.95
Tom Brennan's older brother causes a car accident in which two
of his close friends are killed and his cousin becomes a quadriplegic. This
is the very moving and believable story of Tom Brennan's struggle
to come to terms with the accident, its effect on his close family and
on Tom's identity. (14 years up)
2005 The Running Man by Michael Gerard Bauer pb $19.00
A story about the relationship between a young teenage artist and a reclusive
and disturbed neighbour who was a Vietnam vet. (13 years up)
2004 Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta pb
$19.95
Francesca is reluctantly starting Year 11 at an all boys' school
which is for the first time taking in Year 11 girls. This
is a warm realistic novel which explores the influence of this influx
of girls on the culture of this previously all boys' school. (13
years up)
2003 The Messenger by Marcus Zusak pb
$16.95
This is a most unusual book. When Ed Kennedy inadvertently stops
a bank robbery his life changes dramatically.
2002 Forest by Sonia Hartnett pb
$16.95
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 $19.95
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
$18.95
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)
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)
1994 The Gathering by Isobelle Carmody pb
$19.95
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
$19.95
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
$17.95
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 $18.95
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
$14.95
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
$18.95
A gripping fantasy novel. (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)
1979 The Plum-Rain Scroll by Ruth Manley pb
$18.95
Exciting and heroic fantasy set in Old Japan.
1965 Pastures of the Blue Crane by Hesba
Brinsmead pb $18.95
This is a much loved story of family life set in the lush subtropics
of northern NSW.
Winner Book the Year: Younger Readers
2007 Being Bee by Catherine Bateson pb $16.95
This is a heart-warming story about a girl called Bee who is having problems adapting to her father’s new girlfriend. (8 | 10 years)
2006 Helicopter Man by Elizabeth
Fensham pb $14.95
This book depicts the pain and bewilderment of a 12 year old boy as his
father insists they must keep on shifting to escape from an ever increasing
threat of danger. The boy learns that his father has a mental illness
and things gradually improve as his father's health becomes more
stable. (9 - 13 years)
2005 The Silver Donkey by
Sonya Hartnett hardback $24.95
Set in France during the Second World War, two sisters discover in the
woods near their house a soldier blinded by the war. They bring
him food and in exchange he tells them wonderful stories of his home
in England. (8 - 11 years)
2004 Dragonkeeper by Carole
Wilkinson pb
$19.95
An intriguing fantasy novel set in Ancient China where a slave girl saves
the life of an aging dragon and together they make an epic journey across
China.
2003 Rain May and Captain Daniel by
Catherine Bateson pb
$16.95
Rain is the narrator for most of the story, describing how she and her
mother start a new life in the country. There she meets Daniel,
an unusually intelligent, chess-loving boy who has a rough time at school. (9
- 13 years)
2002 My Dog by John Heffernan illus
by Andrew McLean pb $16.00
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 $16.95
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 $
14.95
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
$16.95
Peter takes on these heroic swashbuckling roles with determination but
there is sadness and humour in the reason why. (8
- 11 years)
1994 Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda pb
$15.00
An absorbing 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
1991 Finders Keepers by Emily Rodda pb
$16.00
An amusing fantasy story involving computer games. (8
- 11 years)
1989 The Best-Kept Secret by Emily
Rodda pb $15.00
A novel about moving house and growing up.
1988 My Place by Nadia Wheatley pb $19.95
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 $14.95
An amusing fantasy. (8 - 11
years)
1985 Something Special by Emily Rodda
pb $14.95
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 $11.95
A very funny story, reprinted in the popular Aussie Bites series.
Winners of the Book of the Year: Early Childhood (Picture Books)
2007 Amy & Louis by Libby Gleeson, illus. Freya Blackwood hardback $25.00 pb $15.00
A simply written and poignant story about the close friendship of two children who lived next door to each other and who are bereft when Amy moves away with her family to the other side of the world. Beautiful illustrations by Freya Blackburn.
2006 Annie's Chair by Deborah Niland pb
$14.95
Annie has a very special chair that no one else is allowed to sit in. The
only exception is for Benny the dog but only, says Annie, if they sit
in the chair together!
2005 Where is the Green Sheep? by
Mem Fox illus by Judy Horacek hardback $19.95
Big Book $45.00 This is a simple quirky rhythmical exploration
of sheep of many different types and colours.
2004 Grandpa and Thomas by Pamela Allen pb
$14.95
Grandpa and Thomas spend a delightful day at the beach enjoying each
other's company as they paddle, picnic and feed the screeching
seagulls.
2003 A Year on Our Farm by
Penny Matthews illus by Andrew McLean hb $30.00 pb $15.00 A wonderful
exploration of a year on an Australian farm. Seen through the eyes
of three children who live on the farm and help their parents with many
farm jobs.
2002 "Let's get a Pup!" by
Bob Graham hardback $27.95 pb
$14.95
A delightful story about a zany family who decide to get a pup from the
Dog Rescue Centre and come home with Dave, a bouncy 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.
Winners of the Picture Book of the Year
Award
2007 The Arrival by Shaun Tan hardback $39.95
This extraordinary book is textless and depicts many strange things and a world that we do not understand and yet at the same time, the book is not difficult to understand. It shows the experience of an immigrant when he or she comes to a country where they know no one and understand very little. Shaun Tan wants us to understand the feelings of apprehension as a young man leaves his young wife and daughter and his country to travel a vast distance to a completely different country where he can’t speak the language or read any signs. The illustrations are meticulously drawn in detailed panels of illustrations or sometimes full-page illustrations in black and white or various shades of grey and sepia. It is a very evocative and moving book (9 years to adult)
2006 The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley by
Colin Thompson illus Amy Lissiat pb
$15.95 Humans are rarely satisfied with their lot in life
whereas Riley the rat is born happy. He lives a short but happy
rat's life.
2005 Are We There Yet? A Journey Around Australia by
Alison Lester hardback $24.95 Eight year
old Grace describes the trip her family took around Australia by campervan.
They visited many important tourist spots and also friends and relatives
round Australia, (6 to 11 years)
2004 Cat and Fish by
Joan Grant illus by Neil Curtis hardback $27.95 pb
$15.95
Striking black and white illustrations feature in this simply written
story about Cat and Fish who meet each other and show each other their
very different worlds. ( 6 - 9 years)
2003 In Flanders Field by Norman Jorgensen, illus
by Brian Harrison-Lever, pb $14.95 Realistic illustrations
depict this story of a young soldier in the trenches of World War 1 who
risks his life to save a robin, trapped between the German and Australian
lines.
2002 An Ordinary Day illus
by Armin Greder, text by Libby Gleeson pb
$15.00
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 hardback
$27.95 pb $15.95 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 Angelby Margaret Wild illus by Anne
Spudvilas pb $14.95
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) hardback $27.95 pb $15.95 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
$14.95
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 $14.95
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 $17.95
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
$14.95
A delightful story of young children befriending a fierce old man.
1992 Window by Jeannie Baker hardback $27.95 pb
$14.95 Big Book $37.95
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 $15.95
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 $14.00
A very moving story, about friendship
and loss.
1989 Joint Winners: Drac & the Gremlin by
Allan Baillie illustrated by Jane Tanner pb $14.95 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
$19.95
This is a wondrously complex feast and game all in one.
1984 Bertie and the Bear by Pamela Allen pb
$14.95
Rhythm and repetition and bold illustrations make this an appealing book.
1983 Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela
Allen pb $14.95
Which of the animals sank the boat? Appealing story making use
of a science concept.
1982 Sunshine by Jan Ormerod hardback $24.95
pb $14.95
Textless picture book describing a little girl and her family getting
up in the morning.
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 by Desmond Digby.
Winner Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
2007 The Penguin Book: Birds in Suits by Mark Norman pb $16.95
Great photos and lively text make this a very informative and interesting book. There are 17 species of penguins throughout the world and surprisingly they are only in the southern hemisphere. (8 | 12 years)
2006 Scarecrow Army: The ANZACS at Gallipoli by Leon
Davidson pb $16.95
A detailed account of the ANZACS, soldiers from the Australian and New
Zealand Army Corps, during the military campaign at Galipolli. The
point of view of the Turkish soldiers who were defending their country
is also given. (12 - 14 years)
2005 To the moon and back: The Amazing Australians at the Forefront
of Space Travel Plus Fantastic Moon Facts by Bryan Sullivan
with Jackie French illus Gus Gordon pb $14.95 Bryan
Sullivan's enthusiasm for space travel shows in this story when
he helped track the numerous Apollo space voyages to the moon. (8
- 12 years)
2004 Animal Architects by
John Nicholson pb
$14.95
This is a fascinating exploration of some of the remarkable engineers
and architects of the animal world. It is divided into sections
called nomads, diggers, weavers, carpenters and bricklayers. (9 years
up)
2002 Papunya School
Book of Country & History by Papunya School
Publishing Committee hardback $29.95 pb $16.95 This
book shows the history of the Papunya region in the centre of Australia
through the eyes of the staff and students. This is a marvellous
account from the Aboriginal viewpoint in an innovative collage format,
vibrant with drawings, paintings, maps and painted photographs. (9
up)
2000 Fishing for Islands: Traditional Boats & Seafarers of
the Pacific by John Nicholson hardback $24.95
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)
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.
1993 Tjarany Roughtail: The
Dreaming of the Roughtail lizard and other Stories by Gracie
Greene, Joe Tramacchi and Lucille Gill pb $22.95 Combines
traditional stories with stunning art in the traditional style with information
on Aboriginal culture and language.
1991 V for Vanishing:
An Alphabet of Endangered Animals by Patricia Mullins pb $10.00 Working
within the framework of an alphabet, Patricia Mullins' collages illustrate
a variety of endangered wild animals throughout the world.
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
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