Six recommended Australian reads for teens
We love to champion Australian authors and books at Readings, so if you’d like your teenager to read some quality homegrown young adult literature, look no further.
The Readings Young Adult Book Prize is a new prize aimed at celebrating the amazing Australian YA books being published every year.
Our judging panel of Readings specialists have selected a shortlist of six books for 2017 that is incredibly diverse in tone and subject matter. The shortlist includes stories of post apocalyptic survival, time travelling investigative journalists, teenagers caught up in major historical events, and the rollercoaster of first love. Issues that impact young people today are reflected in these engaging and creative works, including offshore detention of asylum seekers, hate crimes, grief, depression and political freedom.
The panel will be joined by special guest judge, YA author Lili Wilkinson, to decide the overall winner.
If your teen is smart, quirky, and likes fast-paced action, funny banter and time travel…
Give them Boone Shepard by Gabriel Bergmoser.
Our judges loved this madcap story about an Australian-born journalist trying to climb the ranks of London newspaper, The Chronicle, in two different centuries. They described it as ‘rife with derring-do and death-defying scenarios, witty repartee, unhinged villains, time travel and references to the literature of Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker and more.’
If your teen is mad about history, can swim like a dolphin, and is empathetic and politically savvy…
Give them Freedom Swimmer by Wai Chim.
This thoughtful and tense novel follows two Chinese teens during the Cultural Revolution, as they contemplate escaping by swimming to Hong Kong. Our judges were impressed by this novel that ‘vividly depicts the resilience of young people during the Cultural Revolution, and illuminates a well-known period of history from a unique perspective.’
If your teen is socially conscious, has a big heart, and likes poetic language…
Give them The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon.
This harrowing and dreamy book explores the worsening conditions in a detention centre through the eyes of a young Rohingya refugee Subhi, who has never known a different way of life. Our judges praised this ‘powerful story told with heart, insight and empathy.’
If your teen has an active social life, likes to train at the gym, and is curious about other cultures…
Give them Becoming Aurora by Elizabeth Kasmer.
Queensland teen Rory is required to do community service at an aged-care facility and finds her beliefs and prejudices challenged through new friendships with a retired boxing coach and an up-and-coming boxer. Our judges recommend this book as offering ‘a realistic and hopeful depiction of transcending intolerance.’
If your teen has ever watched Bear Grylls, has a strong sense of justice, and is a combination of sensitive and sporty…
Give them The Road to Winter by Mark Smith.
Finn has survived a serious epidemic and is living on his own when he makes the decision to help a teenage girl being pursued. Our judges loved the way ‘the resourcefulness, bravery and kindness of the young characters offset the darker elements of the novel, creating a story with broad appeal.’
If your teen is internet savvy, pop culture-obsessed, and knows what it’s like to be on an emotional rollercoaster…
Give them Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland.
Henry becomes hopelessly besotted with his school newspaper co-editor Grace, who is barely on the road to recovery from a recent loss. Our judges said that ‘this fresh novel kicks the manic-pixie-dream-girl trope to the kerb and replaces it with complex relationships, the collected wisdom and folly of an ensemble cast of teenagers, and a realistic ending.’
If your teen devours books…
Give them the entire shortlist!
You can pick up the entire shortlist in a specially priced bundle for $99.99 ().
