Young adult

New Kids and YA books for book clubs

We are delighted to have many recent children’s books that are richly imagined and would be perfect for study by book clubs and in classrooms. Here are some of our favourites.

AGES 5 AND UP

My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder

With humour and pathos, Sworder reflects on the strange nature of giving and receiving love and celebrates those parents who embrace a hard life for themselves in the hope of a better life for their children.

Themes include:

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Recommended YA books and news for September

by Angela Crocombe

We have so many exciting Australian young adult new releases this month. Our Book of the Month is a feel-good queer rom-com that our reviewer absolutely adored. We’re also excited by a First Nations fantasy that goes back in time to Australia pre-colonisation. It is utterly brilliant!

Hotly anticipated new novels by Frances Hardinge and Karen McManus have finally arrived, we’re loving a Gothic coming of age story about two very different sisters, not to mention a thriller set in…

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Teen Advisory Board: what to read after Heartstopper

by Ananya

We’ve all read Heartstopper, but what should you read next? Whether we related to the themes, the characters, or just loved the vibes; here are some books that we think you’ll enjoy after you’ve read the popular webcomic turned television series.

Read below for some personal recommendations or browse our full list of suggested reads here.

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

Perfect on Paper is the perfect rom-com any YA reader could ask for. It’s also the…

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Spotlight on Kids and YA Manga favourites

Passionate about manga or curious about the artform? To help build your manga collection, this month we have a 3-for-2 offer on the first three volumes in a range of bestselling manga series. Buy two books and choose a third title in the range (of equal or lesser value) for free. This offer is available in all Readings shops (excluding SLV and online) until 30 September 2022 on stickered, in-stock items only, while stocks last.

Below are six popular series…

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All the world's a stage — YA set in the theatre world

by Angela Crocombe

There is nothing I love more than a book set inside the world of the theatre. Backstage shenanigans, identity crises, overblown egos, stories within stories, and the long hours characters are forced to spend together create highly combustible, and often hilarious, scenarios.

Recently it seems that young adult fiction is brimming with titles focused around school or university theatre or musical productions, community theatre, or even big Broadway dreams. And why not, because when you’re young and dramatically inclined, all…

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Children's and young adult books by women in translation

by Angela Crocombe

To celebrate Women in Translation month in August we are showcasing five fabulous children’s and young adult books both written and translated by women.

My Happy Life written by Rose Lagercrantz, illustrated by Eva Eriksson,

Translated from Swedish by Julia Marshall

The first in a seven-book series, this is one of our favourite junior fiction titles about friendship and resilience.

Dani is happy because she’s going to start school and she’s been waiting to go to school her whole life…

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Recommended YA books and news for August

by Angela Crocombe

We have a number of exciting new releases from local authors this month, including our Book of the Month — the debut novel from author Miranda Luby, which is a contemporary story about feminism, family, and a whole lot more.

We also have the new novel from beloved author Barry Jonsberg; a novel that looks at the issue of child trafficking in Indonesia, and an LGBTQIA+ story about the challenges of being in a boy band. If those all sound…

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The winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2022

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their Book of the Year Awards winners for 2022. These Awards celebrate the best Australian books for readers in early childhood up to young adult readers.

Here are the winners for each category.

Older Readers (for ages 13–18 years)

Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim

Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her…

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Interview with Alice Pung about Laurinda

by Angela Crocombe

We are delighted that one of our favourite young adult novels, Laurinda, has recently been adapted for the stage by Melbourne Theatre Company. We interviewed the author, Alice Pung, about her novel, the societal issues that it raises, and her response to the play.

It’s been nearly eight years since Laurinda was first published. It even inspired a book of short stories and has been studied by countless high school students. How do you feel about it now and…

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The Readings Prize: Young Adult shortlist

by Julia Jackson

The Readings Young Adult Prize is presented to the best new voice in Australian young adult literature. This report is written by 2022 chair of judges Julia Jackson (Readings Carlton assistant manager), with contributions from fellow judges: Mike Shuttleworth (Readings Hawthorn) and Clodagh Robinson-Watts (Readings Carlton).

Discover the six shortlisted titles below.

The Museum of Broken Things by Lauren Draper

Reece has a great heart, full of very big, complicated feelings, and her journey as an uprooted, unmoored and alienated…

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Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week

Crash Course: Wolf Girl 7 by Anh Do

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Floof by Heidi McKinnon

Completely Normal (and Other Lies) by Biffy James

The Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard

Pig the Rebel by Aaron Blabey

Trains (See Inside) by Usborne

World of Dinosaurs (See Inside) by Usborne

Maybe by Kobi Yamada

Heartstopper 4 by Alice Oseman

Our top-selling title this week is the latest book in the bestselling…

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Recommended YA books and news for July

by Angela Crocombe

So many exciting books this month to dive into! Our Book of the Month is a funny, queer romance about an aspiring comedian. We have a new Meg Rosoff, set in New York during a languid, steamy summer - just what we need to warm up! We also have a novel featuring a complicated love triangle, the first in a new dystopian trilogy, a feminist novel set in an alternate 1950s with dragons, and a non-fiction title on financial literacy…

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Old But Gold - Classic YA that deserves a revisit

by Angela Crocombe

Some books are just classic. Movies are made of them and thousands of words are written about them. They have weaved their way into popular culture so fully that it seems as if they have always been there. But the following books are classics for good reason. Their authors are masters at their craft, who hook you in, demand you keep reading, and don’t let you go until they toss you out at the end, forever changed.

You may think…

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Top picks for Kids and YA book clubs

by Angela Crocombe

Below are our top picks for book clubs from the recent crop of new releases for young people.

For readers aged 5-8

Open your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour

A moving account of reconnection to Country from a First Nations perspective. This picture book invites readers to reflect on the importance of place, not only for First Nations’ peoples but for everyone.

Themes include:

Country

language

identity

Explore the full teacher’s notes

What to Say When you Don’t Know

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Five sapphic must-reads for teens

by Lucie Dess

I’m back with another YA post for Pride month. This time, I’m focusing on sapphic books and I have some great ones for you! Be prepared to ‘add to cart’ after reading about these glorious titles.

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott

If you love romcoms, rollerskating and first kisses in libraries, then this adorable book is for you! Plus just look at that cover!

Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a…

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Young adult books with non-binary and trans characters

It is fantastic that non-binary and trans characters are becoming more prominent in books for young adults. To celebrate Pride Month, below are some recommended reads that include both.

Bruised by Tanya Boteju

This is a vibrant coming-of-age story about a teen girl navigating first love, identity, and grief as she immerses herself in the colourful, brutal, beautiful world of roller derby. There is a beautiful tapestry of characters, both young and old, and many identify as non-binary and queer…

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Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week

World’s Worst Pets by David Walliams

Heartstopper: Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

The Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard

Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Loveless by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

Bad Guys 15: Open up and Say Arrrgh! by Aaron Blabey

Possum Magic by Mem Fox

At the top of our charts this…

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The Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals winners 2022

The winners of the 2022 Yoto Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals have been announced!

The Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. The Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

The Yoto Carnegie Medal has been awarded to Katya Balen for her second novel October, October, illustrated by Angela Harding.

October and her…

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Beginner's guide to Jenny Han

by Lucie Dess

Jenny Han is the queen of teenage romance. But with three incredible trilogies, it’s hard to know where to start. This guide will help you pick which series to start with, but if you’re anything like us, you’ll end up reading them all!

For those who enjoy the tension of a good love triangle: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Everything that happened this past summer, and every summer before it, has all led up to this. To now.

With a…

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Sci-fi and horror for younger fans of Stranger Things

by Angela Crocombe

Many of us, young and old, are obsessed with the new season of Stranger Things on Netflix, and as we wait for the second part to drop in July, here are some spooky sci-fi and horror titles that will transport imaginations to an alternate universe not unlike the Upside Down.

Mars Awakens by H.M. Waugh

Raised in rival colonies on Mars, each long ago abandoned by Earth, Dee and Holt have been brought up to hate even the idea of…

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Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week

The Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Treehouse Tales by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Heartstopper: Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

The Blood Traitor by Lynette Loni

World’s Worst Pets by David Walliams

Open your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour

Stunt Kids by Trent Roberts

Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

At the top of our charts after this long weekend…

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New LGBTQIA+ YA novels

by Lucie Dess

It’s the most exciting month of the year - Pride month! We’ll be recommending a swathe of great LGBTQIA+ books this month – starting with these five new young adult novels that deserve a place on your bookshelf.

For enemies to lovers fans: The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

Seventeen-year-old Yamilet Flores prefers drawing attention for her killer eyeliner, not for being one of the only Mexican kids at her new, mostly white, very rich, Catholic school…

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Recommended YA books and news for June

by Angela Crocombe

It’s finally winter and the days are so cold that the best thing we can do - if we can get away with it - is dive into bed with a cuppa and a good book! Well, we have some fantastic young adult novels that will have you enthralled and keep you warm and cosy from the inside out.

Find our June kids round-up here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

My Spare Heart by Jared Thomas

Phoebe’s non-Indigenous mother…

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Beginner's guide to Neal Shusterman

by Lucie Dess

Neal Shusterman is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty award-winning books and they’re all calling out to be read, but where should you start? This is a guide to help you choose which one of Shusterman’s latest YA novels to pick up first.

For the dystopian lover: Scythe

I will never stop recommending Scythe. The story is so unique and captivating from the very first page. This is also a fantastic series for someone looking…

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Highlights of the MWF Schools Program

The Melbourne Writers Festival is on from 1-9 September this year and their schools program encompasses incredible day-long outings for students to attend! The program includes four sessions across the day that each feature a different author and focus.

Below, we spotlight just four of the wonderful author sessions being featured this year, but you can find out more about the full program here.

Primary School Days: Thursday 1 and Friday 2 September

Gabrielle Wang

Recently crowned Children’s Laureate…

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Recommended YA books and news for May

There are so many exciting new releases in young adult literature this month that will have wide appeal for young adults and adults alike. Our Book of the Month is by the US author, E.Lockhart, and is a prequel to her bestseller, We Were Liars. We’re also excited about a delicious rom-com by Australian author Sarah Ayoub, a historical fiction adventure on the high seas with the pirate Anne Bonny, a fantasy adventure in the skies, and two LGBTQIA+…

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Top picks for Kids and YA book clubs

Below are our top picks for book clubs for young people this month:

For readers aged 5-9

Maku by Meyne Wyatt

Maku has just started at a new school. It’s tricky fitting in, but Maku always tries his best. When his grandparents take him out on country he finds inspiration to make a superhero movie and impress his classmates.

Themes include:

First Nations culture

friendship

family

bullying

You can find teacher’s notes here.

When Granny Came to Stay by…

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Support challenged and banned books for young people

by Angela Crocombe

The recent controversy in the United States around year eight students reading Maus caused such a flurry of interest publishers ran out of stock for several months (it’s finally back in stock now).

It has gotten us thinking about other titles that have been challenged for one reason or another. Here we present a collection of some of our children’s and young adult favourites that have a history of being challenged or banned in school libraries across America.

Drama by…

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Contemporary YA based on classic novels

by Angela Crocombe

There are some classic stories that we can never forget reading when we were young. Authors too become inspired (or even obsessed!) by their favourite books, to the extent that they sometimes write homages to them, which may have some elements of the classic but have also been radically re-imagined. Here are some of our favourite contemporary YA stories and the classic teen novels that inspired them:

If you loved The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, then you will…

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Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week

Ceremony: Welcome to our Country by Adam Goodies, Ellie Laing & David Hardy

Treehouse Tales by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Bad Guys 15: Open Up and Say Arrrgh! by Aaron Blabey

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Bluey: Baby Race by Bluey

Maku by Meyne Wyatt

Milo Finds $105 (Bored 1) by Matt Stanton

Possum Magic by Mem Fox

It’s delightful to see the beautiful…

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Recommended YA books and news for April

The new releases are coming thick and fast this month, just in time for the school holidays! Our book of the month is the debut young adult novel by a past winner of our Readings Prize for Kids, Carly Nugent. She has written a powerful contemporary novel about a young woman living with diabetes who is grieving for her father and trying to uncover a local mystery.

We also have an incredible collection of speculative fiction from First Nations and…

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