From 17 to 23 August, we are celebrating the annual Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week. The 2019 theme is 'Reading is My Secret Power' and is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate literature for young Australians.
During Book Week, the CBCA Book of the Year is announced. Established in 1946, the award aims to promote quality literature for young Australians, support and encourage a wide range of writers as well as illustrators and celebrate contributions to Australian literature. Please see below the winner and shortlist for the category of 'Book of the Year: Younger Readers'. You can borrow or reserve these items through our catalogue.
Winner:
His name was Walter by Emily Rodda
Once upon a time, in a dark city far away, there lived a boy called Walter who had nothing but his name to call his own. Tonight, at last, the haunting story of Walter and the mysterious tragic girl called Sparrow will be read, right to the very end. This is an extraordinary story within a story.
Honours:
Black Cockatoo by Carl Merrison (author) and David Leffler (illustrator)
Mia is a young Aboriginal girl from a remote community in the Kimberley. She is saddened by fragile family connections and feels powerless to change the things she sees around her. One day she rescues a black cockatoo and begins to realise her own inner strength.
The peacock detectives by Carly Nuggent
The last time the peacocks went missing, Cassie found them sitting on a coiled hose behind the fire station. So when they go missing again, she knows what to do. Only this time the clues lead her in an unexpected direction and Cassie finds herself investigating a confusing mystery about her family.
Other titles in shortlist:
Brindabella by Ursula Dubosarsky (author) Andrew Joyner (illustrator)
This is a story about a boy called Pender and a kangaroo called Brindabella. It tells the tale of how they became friends and all the things that happened to them because of it.
Leave Taking by Lorraine Marwood (author) and Peter Carnavas (illustrator)
What if you had just one week to say goodbye to everything you have ever known? Toby and his parents are leaving their family farm after the death of Toby's younger sister, Leah. As his last day on the farm approaches, Toby plans to say goodbye to all the things and places that mean something special to him and Leah.
The slightly alarming tale of the Whispering Wars by Jaclyn Moriarty (author) and Kelly Canby (illustrator)
The Whispering Wars have broken out and the town of Spindrift is thrust onto the front lines. Children are stolen, witches, sirens and a deadly magical flu invade the town and all attempts to fight back are met with defeat.