Readings.com.au: CBCA Shortlist 2007

One Whole And Perfect Day

Freakish, thought Lily; that was the word for her family. Her brother Lonnie kept dropping in and out of courses; her mother worried about Lonnie; her nan had an imaginary friend (who wouldn't be a little bit mad if they'd been married to Pop for over fifty years?). That left Lily to be the sensible one in the family. Maybe she should fall in love - what could be less sensible than that?
Fall in love? Ridiculous! But when she saw Daniel Steadman and their eyes caught, only for a second, the tiny encounter gave Lily a strange light woozy feeling inside her head. It made her brain feel funny, like a tablet fizzing, dissolving away inside a water glass. Perceptive and gently humorous, Judith Clarke skillfully unravels the lives of her characters and brings them back to together for a perfect cloudless day.

'A warm, engaging read about family and love and friendship and the ties that bind.' Maureen McCarthy

The Red Shoe

Punctuated by the headlines of the time (all true!), this is the story of Matilda and her two sisters growing up in Sydney in the 1950s at the time of the Petrov Affair. It shows with unsettling clarity how the large events of the world can impinge in mysterious ways on ordinary lives. Funny, honest, insightful, tough-minded and fascinating, it captures the mystery of life as experienced by children. Author Ursula Dubosarsky is one of Australia's finest writers for young people, and has won the 2004 Adelaide Festival Award for Literature; 1995 NSW Premier's Ethnic Affairs Commission Award; 1995 Honour Book in the CBC Book of the Year Awards; 1994 Victorian Premier's Literary Award; 1994 NSW Premier's Literary Award. Several of her books have been shortlisted in the Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards, and many have been named Notable Books in those Awards. The earth smelt strong to Matilda and full of things growing and dying all at the same time. She thought about the grey-green tangled bush at the end of her street, full of cowboys and Red Indians, waiting with their guns and their bows and arrows. She thought about the Japs and the Germans and the shining sword and chocolate biscuits, and the Argonauts sailing across the ocean, and the silver trail of snails on cardboard. She thought about the princess in the film, 'How do you do, so glad you could come, how do you do' and the wonderful butterfly bathroom and poor little Karen and her beautiful red shoes. She thought about the sad smiling man with his chess set and the newsreel and her tennis ball, up and up and up in the air, high as the tallest tree in the Basin, and Uncle Paul with his hands in his pockets, and her mother's red shoe falling down down down into the deep green bush for ever. 'When Ursula Dubosarsky writes, the ordinary becomes fascinating: every small and unremarkable thing is imbued with the sweetest, softest charm. Reading her novels is like walking through a dream: you know you're not allowed to stay, but you don't want to leave it, and when it's gone, you can't stop thinking about it. In this beautiful story of three sisters each finding their way through a strange time, Dubosarsky proves yet again that she is the most graceful, most original writer for young people in Australia - probably in the world.' - Sonya Hartnett

Red Spikes

It is difficult to describe these short stories from the author of Black Juice and White Time without sounding over the top. The language is taut and precise, not one word too many. And Margot Lanagan’s imagination and ability to create a strong visual image while manipulating the reader’s emotions is exquisite. Whether observing a baby being born in strange circumstances, or fleeing with an invaded community of females, or tramping the grey world between heaven and hell, we read with a delicious mixture of anticipation and fear. For older readers (and adults). Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton.

My Big Birkett

14-year-old Gemma’s deranged older sister has an obsession with bizarre swan costumes and an immature juvenile delinquent appears to have a substantial crush on her. She must also deal with a crazed fellow bridesmaid, and a soon-tobe brother-in-law’s preposterous fanaticism with war. To chuck a Big Birkett means to have such a massive outburst of unnecessary emotion that it appears your eyes are going to burst. Will Gemma manage to prevent herself from throwing the most enormous Birkett in the history of the world? A witty and sharp book with deep emotional expression and a must-read for budding Birkett chuckers! Nicki Carter (aged 12) is a customer at Readings Carlton.

Being Bee

" . . . You are going to be pleasant and helpful, Bee, and not chase Jazzi away. I like Jazzi. I want her to be a permanent fixture in our lives and I don't want any bratty, selfish behaviour from you spoiling things . . . " Since her mother died, it'd been just her, her dad and her guinea pigs, Lulu and Fifi. A perfect, non-nuclear family. Exactly how Bee liked it. Nothing stays the same forever though, and when Jazzi moves in, bringing with her a whole new way of looking at the world and a whole lot of secrets, Bee knows things are going to be completely different from now on. But change can be a scary thing, and when someone reaches out to you, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to take their hand. This heartwarming, humorous and vibrant story from award winning author Catherine Bateson reminds us that love comes in many shapes and sizes . . . . . . even in the form of guinea pigs.

Tuckshop Kid

Hungry? Need Lunch? Mum's packed you curried banana and pickle sandwiches again? Only got a $1.25 to your name? Then you need to see Matt, because Matt has an amazing talent . . . Some kids are good at footy, or handball, or tennis. Not Matt, though. Matt is an expert at Tuckshop. ($1.25 = sausage roll and small choc milk, by the way . . . ) In the dog-eat-pie world of the playground, when your best friend is the lunch lady, and hunger can be just around the corner, someone like Matt can go a long way. But of course, being the best at anything does have its problems. Even tuckshop.

Macbeth And Son

For hundreds of years, society has regarded Shakespeare as one of the greatest and most accomplished authors of all time. We study his style of writing in English classes and marvel at his ability to transpose scenes from history for the common people. Yet how would you react if you discovered that these stories from Shakespeare were lies? Meet Luke, an ordinary contemporary 13-yearold, who by an unusual twist of fate, becomes acquainted with Macbeth’s stepson, Lulach. By night, Luke gets wrapped up in vivid dreams about Lulach and Macbeth, the latter seen as the great conqueror who helps restore peace to the Kingdom of Alba. By day, Luke studies Macbeth the novel at school, where Macbeth is portrayed as a murdering, greedy madman. Why did Shakespeare lie? The truth will change Luke and Lulach’s lives forever. With their lives deeply intertwined, will they discover potential danger in telling the truth? Jackie French has written a realistic and inspirational story of two boys who have very similar lives but live in two very different societies. I highly recommend it to all those aged 11+ years, who love reading a great mystery story while learning about history at the same time. Nicki Carter (aged 12) is in year seven at St Michael’s Grammar School.

The Cat On The Mat Is Flat

How did the cat on the mat get flat? Why did Ed and Ted and Ted's dog Fred get spat out of the head of a whale called Ned? Where was Harry Black when Jack the Yak stole the snack from his sack? What happened to Buck the Duck's brand new muck-sucking truck? Who else, apart from Andy G and Terry D, was chased up a tree by an evil bee? The answers to these stupid questions – and many other stupid questions-are contained in this deeply stupid book... Well, what are you waiting for? Open the book and start reading! Suitable for ages 4 – 104 Rating: Stupid

Bird And Sugar Boy

Sugar boy gave me the name Bird, otherwise I'm James Burdell. I live with my dad who has a big tattoo that says Live to Ride. He is so strong he can lift up a car, but he can't tell me what he's thinking. Maybe he's thinking about my mother who shot through. Sugar Boy is my best friend. We hang around down at the river, in the bush tunnel, or beside the railway tracks riding our bikes fast enough to beat the train. There's only two of us, but we're the whole team. I don't know what would happen if I didn't have Sugar Boy . . . Funny, moving and irresistible - a wonderful novel by the acclaimed Sofie Laguna.

Layla, Queen Of Hearts: Kingdom Of Silk Book 2

Layla is best friends with Griffin Silk and there's nothing she loves more than spending time with Griffin and his family in the Kingdom of Silk. Griffin is an uncommon sort of boy, from an uncommon sort of family, and this suits Layla perfectly. When Griffin and Layla's school announces a Senior Citizens' Day, Layla is at a loss. Who can she take? Griffin offers to share his grandmother, Nell, but Layla desperately wants someone of her own. So Nell introduces Layla to Miss Amelie. Layla and Miss Amelie get on immediately, however, Layla soon learns that Miss Amelie has problems with her memory and sometimes gets muddled. But Layla is a girl with unique gifts and she and Miss Amelie form a special bond ... and a small but significant miracle occurs. This unique, tender novel will captivate young readers and adults alike with its warmth, honesty and beauty.

Grandpa And Thomas And The Green Umbrella

The sun is shining and the sea is singing. Grandpa and Thomas go to the beach. But all of a sudden, the sun goes, the wind blows and the green umbrella flies bowling and bobbing away. Another delightful picture book with Thomas and Grandpa from the bestselling, award-winning Pamela Allen.

Doodledum Dancing

Here's a book of giggly, wiggly, squiggly poems You can munch them for breakfast You can crunch them for lunch You can gobble them for dinner But most of all - You can read them out loud And share them with your friends Again and again . . .

Ella Kazoo Will Not Brush Her Hair

Ella Kazoo will do anything to avoid having her hair brushed. Her poor mother is beside herself with frustration as she watches Ella’s hair get more and more out of control. This delightful picture book told in rollicking verse is great fun for the whole family.

Amy And Louis

One day Amy and her family moved a long, long way away to the other side of the world. Louis stopped building towers, digging holes and staring at clouds. He no longer called to anyone across the yard, the room or the fence. Amy and Louis live next door to each other, and their lives are closely intertwined. Theirs is a life rich in imagination - they see dragons in the clouds and make castles out of cardboard. But when Amy's family move to another country, the children are separated and the colour drains out of their lives - until Louis discovers how to rebuild their special bond. This is a loving, moving, goose-bumping tale of deep friendship. The spare, evocative text - enhanced by illustrations of rare sensitivity and insight - strike directly at the heart.

Eight

For as long as Timmy can remember, Eight has been his best friend. They go everywhere together. One day they go on a picnic with Mum and Dad and something terrible happens! Is Eight strong enough and clever enough to know what to do?

Chatterbox

Max's baby sister, Daisy, is gorgeous! But when is she going to talk? 'Say moo,' says Mum. 'Say neigh,' says Dad. 'Say baa,' says Nana. 'Say quack,' Says Max. But Daisy just sticks her bottom in the air and says nothing, until one day . . . This is a delightful read-aloud book for young children from the combined talents of Margaret Wild and Deborah Niland.

Brian Banana Duck Sunshine Yellow

This picture book is a celebration of the child's search for identity. It's about the desire to stand out from a crowd, but also the need to belong. It's about the power of words and names to give us a personality and a place in the world. It's about relationships with family. It's about individuality and the importance of imagination in the development of the individual persona. It's about the capacity for art to express feelings. It's a quirky, totally original, visual poem to the child's innate celebration of all that is creative in the human heart. - Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright On Friday nights, all day Saturday and most of Sunday I stay with Na-na and Grumpy Yellow. One Saturday, I got lost. Twice. The first time, a big prawn found me. The second time, I found my own way home.

Water Witcher

Dougie and his sisters can’t remember the last time it rained. The rainwater tanks are empty, and the creek is just a string of muddy pools where birds and animals come, seeking water. Each day Dad and Dougie cart water from Last Stop Well, an hour down the track. They haul the water up bucket by bucket to fill the tank on the dray, then bump back over the ruts, making clouds of dust. The crops are brown and crisp in the sun. One day, Dougie’s dad tells him about his grandfather’s gift for water divining, or witching. Dougie wishes he were a water witcher — then they would have a well of their own, always full of water. So Dougie teaches himself the art of water divining and, despite his sisters’ teasing and his mother’s scepticism, he discovers a night soak of fresh water. Water Witcher brings to life the experience of a family in drought-stricken rural Australia during the Depression era. Seen through the eyes of Dougie, the optimism of childhood shines through, despite the tough work and harsh conditions. Jan Ormerod’s stunning, evocative illustrations make this a rich and resonating book.

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Rainbirds

A stunningly illustrated story about a city child s relationship with nature and the natural world, the trust that children can place in their parents, the responsibility adults have in looking after children and the environment they will inherit.Features collage based illustrations which will appeal to children and adults alike.

Woolvs In The Sitee

In a strange and sinister world, Ben is in hiding from the 'woolvs'. His only ally, Missus Radinski, doesn't believe the woolvs exist - until it is too late. Alone, Ben must go out into the streets and confront his fears. In Woolvs in the Sitee, award-winning team Margaret Wild and Anne Spudvilas chart new territory. As with their remarkable Jenny Angel, they have again created a book that is both beautiful and challenging.

The Arrival

The Arrival is a 128 page book of illustrations without words, a silent graphic novel. Through a series of connecting images, it tells the story of a migrant leaving his home, crossing an ocean to a strange new city and eventually learning how to live there. The migrant is unable to understand such things as the language, transportation, food and housing of this foreign place and therefore neither should the reader, hence the absence of words.The artwork embraces the texture of old sepia photographs that typically documented social life during the early nineteenth century. The entire work of art simultaneously appears as a strange photo album.

Shaun Tan is an award winning author and illustrator, well-known for The Lost Thing which was a CBCA Honour Book in 2002 and The Red Tree, which was also a CBCA Honour Book in 2002. This illustrative masterpiece will appeal directly to children and adults of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.

Ages: 9+

Red Haze: Australians And New Zealanders In Vietnam

Black dog books' award-winning history series The Drum uses first-person accounts and non-fiction to bring history roaring to life. The Vietnam War was like no other the Australians and New Zealanders had fought. There was no front-line, no safe zone, no glory. In the jungles the Vietcong seemed to be everywhere, and nowhere — and winning. To find the Vietcong, a country was torn apart. In questioning why they were there, Australia and New Zealand almost tore themselves apart.

All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome

All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome takes a playful look at Asperger Syndrome (AS), drawing inspiration from the feline world in a way that will strike a chord with all those who are familiar with AS. Delightful colour photographs of cats bring to life familiar characteristics such as sensitive hearing, scampering at the first sign of being stroked, and particular eating habits. Touching, humorous and insightful, this book evokes the difficulties and joys of raising a child who is different and leaves the reader with a sense of the dignity, individuality, and potential of people with AS. This engaging book is an ideal, gentle introduction to the world of AS.

The Penguin Book: Birds In Suits

Some are shy, some are curious and some are grumpy enough to give you a slap as you walk by, but all penguins are amazing.

Queenie: One Elephants Story

There was a time when for tuppence you could ride on the back of an elephant at a zoo. Queenie was one such elephant. Until her death in 1945, she patiently carried up to 500 people a day. Queenie: One Elephant's Story is an exquisite picture book evoking a time when elephants were giving rides in zoos all over the world. This true story is beautifully told by Corinne Fenton and is brought to life by award-winning illustrator Peter Gouldthorpe.

Amazing Facts About Australian Dinosaurs

Very little has been published about Australia's prehistoric life, but the facts about Australia's ancient past are astonishing. Created in conjunction with the expert palaeontologists and talented publications staff at the Queensland Museum, Steve Parish Publishing's Amazing Facts About Australian Dinosaurs takes you back to the Age of Dinosaurs, when giant beasts and fierce carnivores reigned supreme.