Young adult

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

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat

The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna

Wandi by Favel Parrett

It’s Not You, It’s Me by Gabrielle Williams

Bluey: Giant Activity Pad by Bluey

The Curiosities by Zana Fraillon

Big Dog, Little Dog by Sally Rippin

The Tiny Explorers by Kat Macleod

Seasons in the City by Megan McKean

Squirrel Do Bad by Stephen Pastis

Rocketing to the number one spot this week is the brand new debut YA novel by bestselling fantasy…

Read more ›

Aurelia & Tahlia's ultimate guide to Leigh Bardugo

by Aurelia Orr & Tahlia Malojer

Aurelia Orr & Tahlia Malojer are members of the 2021

Welcome to the Grishaverse!

Die-hard fans know Leigh Bardugo as the queen of YA fantasy. Newcomers may know her as the creator behind the critically acclaimed Netflix show ‘Shadow and Bone’.

Whichever path led you here – maybe the phrase ‘bookstagram made me buy it’ rings true to you – read on if you have an appetite for entrancing magic, the stomach for intense heists, an appreciation for complex characters…

Read more ›

Recommended YA books and news for September

by Angela Crocombe

This month in young adult new releases we have a hilarious Freaky Friday time-slip adventure, a road trip that may be a total disaster or the beginning of an unexpected romance, an identity crisis from an elite ballet dancer, and a new fantasy series by bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer that plays with the Robin Hood trope. Our classic of the month is none other than the legendary Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in a celebratory 42nd year anniversary edition with…

Read more ›

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

Always by Morris Gleitzman

It’s Not You, It’s Me by Gabrielle Williams

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Master

The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna

Harklights by Tim Tilley

Mim and the Baffling Bully by Katrina Nannestad

My Kind by Eddie Betts

My People by Eddie Betts

Big Dog, Little Dog by Sally Rippin

Our top seller from the past week is Always, the highly anticipated seventh…

Read more ›

Our children’s & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week

Where’s Bluey? A Search-and-Find Book by Bluey

Mim and the Baffling Bully by Katrina Nannested

Best Worst Day Ever by Sophy Henn

End of the World is Bigger than Love by Davina Bell

The Book of Australian Trees by Inga Simpson and illustrated by Alicia Robertson

_Harklights_by Tim Tilley

My Kind by Eddie Betts

My People by Eddie Betts

100 Paper Spaceships

Wild About Dads by Phillip Bunting

Our top seller from the past week is Where’s Bluey?

Read more ›

The winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2021

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their Book of the Year Awards winners for 2021. 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)

The End of the World is Bigger Than Love by Davina Bell

Identical twin sisters Summer and Winter live alone on a remote island, sheltered from a destroyed world. They survive on…

Read more ›

Recommended YA books & news for August

This month in YA books we’ve got a tale of grief, love and family, a story of being caught between cultures, magical egg-babies, a vivid depiction of friendship, one hell of a road trip, and a true fantasy classic.

Find our August picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Monster of Her Age by Danielle Binks

Ellie Marsden was born into the legendary Lovinger acting dynasty. Granddaughter of the infamous Lottie Lovinger, as a child…

Read more ›

Our children’s & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week

Future Girl by Asphyxia

Rainfish by Andrew Paterson

Across the Sea (Wolf Girl, Book 5) by Anh Do

Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey

Megamonster by David Walliams

Ninja Dogs (Ninja Kid #8) by Anh Do

The Story of Australia by Don Watson

Welcome to Consent by Yumi Stynes & Dr. Melissa Kang

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Swallow’s Flight by Hilary McKay

Our best-seller from the past week is Future Girl by Asphyxia. This novel for young adults…

Read more ›

YA novels where high school and sporting ambition collides

These novels explore both the physical and mental toll of striving for excellence in sport as a young person. The stories are filled with losses and triumphs, as well as learning when to push forward and when to let go.

Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli

The only thing seventeen-year-old Audrey Lee dreams about is swinging her way to Olympic glory. Nothing is going to stop her, not even the agony in her back. Every spasm and ache will be…

Read more ›

Must-read YA for the second half of 2021

by Leanne Hall

There are some really exciting YA books coming out in the second half of this year, so buckle up! Your TBR pile is about to grow…

Half My Luck by Samera Kamaleddine (released on 28 July 2021)

Layla Karimi is sort of Australian and sort of Lebanese: a ‘halfie’ who doesn’t really fit into either world. So when all hell breaks loose at a beach party, Layla finds herself caught between her friends and the Lebanese kids who call themselves…

Read more ›

Beginner's guide to Sarah J Maas

by Aurelia Orr

It is an understatement in saying that Sarah J. Maas is an author you will never forget. My immense love for reading can always be linked back to when I discovered her in 2016. She immediately became my favourite author, and five years later she still holds that title.

Fair warning: Maas’s books will teach you the true meaning of love and friendship, whilst twisting and breaking your heart into a million pieces at the same time. That’s how her…

Read more ›

Strong women in YA

Teen Advisory Board member Annalise Comer talks about her favourite novels and series that champion complex and strong women.

Strong protagonists written by authors like Jane Austen, Sarah J. Maas, Nicola Yoon and Suzanne Collins are inspirational figures for young people everywhere, as they show us that you can do anything – regardless of the limitations and expectations placed on you by society and the people around you. Below, I am recommending four YA books that have inspired me to…

Read more ›

Asphyxia wins the Readings Young Adult Book Prize 2021

by Kealy Siryj & Xiao-Xiao Kingham

We are beyond delighted to announce Future Girl by Asphyxia as the winner of the 2021 Readings Young Adult (YA) Book Prize. An immersive story that is informed by Asphyxia’s experience as a Deaf person, Future Girl tells the story of Piper, a Deaf girl living in near-future Melbourne. The novel format invites the reader into Piper’s vivid art journal, where every page is adorned with full-colour illustrations.

The task of choosing a winner from such a strong shortlist was…

Read more ›

A spotlight on Where We Begin by Christie Nieman

Where We Begin is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize. It follows seventeen-year-old Anna on a quest to uncover her dark family secrets. Our judges described it as a ‘richly descriptive and perfectly-paced novel.’

We asked author Christie Nieman about writing inspiration, advice and Gothic literature.

What was the initial inspiration for this story?

Next to the gently-undulating open woodland landscape where I live is a wide, high, treeless plain that sits…

Read more ›

Five kids & YA reads from First Nations writers

This year, NAIDOC week is running from 4 – 11 July and focuses the theme of Heal Country. Put succinctly, Heal Country ‘calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage’; we recommend reading the full explanation behind the 2021 focus (and exploring how you can become more involved this NAIDOC week) here.

This week – and every week – we want to actively show our appreciation…

Read more ›

Recommended YA books & news for July

by Leanne Hall

This month in YA books we’ve got a sunny summer romance that will make you forget your winter blues, a feminist psychological thriller, a lush fairytale retelling, plant-whispering witchy business and more.

Find our July picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

Henry Hamlet’s Heart by Rhiannon Wilde

Henry Hamlet doesn’t know what he wants after school ends. It’s his last semester of year twelve and all he’s sure of is his uncanny ability to make…

Read more ›

A spotlight on our kids & YA books of the month, July 2021

by Leanne Hall

Our kids & YA books of the month in July include a funny verse novel from a masterful storyteller, a gorgeous love story set in Brisbane and a joyful and whimsical classic.

KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH

Are You There, Buddha? by Pip Harry

Bridget ‘Bee’ Ballentine is 12 and starting her first year of high school in the beach suburb Crescent Bay. Still reeling from the departure of her mother for an ashram in India, Bee talks to Buddha…

Read more ›

A spotlight on The End of the World Is Bigger than Love by Davina Bell

The End of the World Is Bigger than Love is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize. It’s a magical, dystopian fairytale with twin sisters, an unreliable narrator, a bear and a whale. Our judges described it as ‘a hauntingly beautiful work.’

We asked author Davina Bell about writing inspiration, advice and process.

What was the initial inspiration for this story?

The initial inspiration for this story came from two illustrations, which isn’t…

Read more ›

A spotlight on Future Girl by Asphyxia

Future Girl is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.

Future Girl is a remarkable illustrated story about Piper, a Deaf girl, who lives in a near-future inner-city Melbourne where food security is under threat. Our judges described it as ‘thought-provoking and hopeful.’

We asked author Asphyxia about her inspiration, writing advice and balancing text and illustrations.

What was the initial inspiration for this story?

For a long time I have believed it…

Read more ›

June recommendations from our Teen Advisory Board

Our Teen Advisory Board have been busy reading and letting us know what they’re loving; below, you can read June recommendations from five of our fantastic 2021 board members. You can also browse the favourite books by favourite authors collection – compiled by the entire board – here.

Claire Heazlewood is reading House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland: this book was full of writing as smooth and beautiful as the cover art. The…

Read more ›

A beginner's guide to Cassandra Clare

by Claire Heazlewood

If you’ve ever browsed the young adult section at the bookshop, you may have seen a Cassandra Clare book. In fact, you may have seen many.

Cassandra Clare is the author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles books, a massive franchise which spans four series and multiple collections of short stories. For this reason, getting into her universe can be a bit daunting if you don’t really know what you are doing. But by the end of this guide, you’ll be able…

Read more ›

A spotlight on The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough

The Boy from the Mish is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize. The Boy from the Mish follows seventeen-year-old Jackson as he falls in love for the first time and searches for self-acceptance. Our judges described it as ‘a masterclass in coming-of-age storytelling.’

We asked author Gary Lonesborough about getting published, his love of coming-of-age stories, and the novel’s genesis as a film script.

How did you go about getting published?

Firstly…

Read more ›

Queer YA books I'm adding to my TBR pile

by Lucie Dess

It’s June which means it’s Pride Month! And there are some seriously awesome LGBTQIA+ books hitting the YA shelves this year. Here are the books I’m adding to my to- be-read (TBR) pile this Pride Month!

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Here’s a book I’d buy just for the cover, but the blurb has also absolutely captured my attention; this one is heading to the top of my TBR!

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when…

Read more ›

Find your next graphic novel for tweens

by Lucie Dess

If you loved Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans…

…then you need to read Nightlights, a beautifully illustrated story of finding yourself.

Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in Sandy’s bedroom. Sandy catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings that cover her room. One day, a mysterious pale girl called Morfie appears at school and is fascinated by…

Read more ›

A spotlight on Metal Fish, Falling Snow by Cath Moore

Metal Fish, Falling Snow is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize. Metal Fish, Falling Snow is a portrait of 14-year-old Dylan looking for her identity in the wake of immense trauma. Our judges described it as having ‘a voice that is rich and beautiful.’

We asked author Cath Moore about her inspiration, dream castings, the wonderful nostalgic music in the book and what she’s working on next.

What was the inspiration for…

Read more ›

A spotlight on The F Team by Rawah Arja

The F Team is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.

The F Team follows Punchbowl High student Tariq Nader as he’s teamed up in a rugby competition with his sworn enemies from Cronulla High. Our judges described it as ‘heartwarming and hilarious.’

We asked author Rawah Arja about her inspiration, her hopes for her debut novel, the publishing process and, most importantly, her very extensive dream casting for a screen adaptation.

What…

Read more ›

Recommended YA books & news for June

by Leanne Hall

This month in YA books we have a groundbreaking thriller centred on a Native American teen, sweet and magical romances, gripping Australian history, a unique and moody illustrated novel, and a verse novel from an Australian award-winner.

Find our June picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Eighteen-year-old Daunis’s mixed heritage has always made her feel like an outsider, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When she…

Read more ›

The Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist 2021

We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2021 Readings Young Adult Book Prize! Co-chairs of the judging panel Xiao-Xiao Kingham and Kealy Siryj share the judges’ shortlisted choices.

What a fantastically strong year it’s been for Australian Young Adult fiction! We had a tough task choosing our shortlist from over 30 eligible novels, many of which were absolutely gripping reads. The YA category is one of the bright stars in the Australian publishing landscape, and this year’s…

Read more ›

Eight recent First Nations books for kids & teens

by Leanne Hall

Welcome, Child! by Sally Morgan

This joyous board book welcomes babies to the world with elegantly simple text and beautiful pictures of birds, hearts, stars and flowers. Full of the unconditional love felt for a newborn child, this is a sweet read-aloud to share with little ones.

For ages 0 and up.

Main Abija My Grandad by Karen Rogers

With luscious artwork and a lyrical text in Kriol and English, celebrated Ngukurr artist Karen Rogers evokes the world of her…

Read more ›

Beginner's Guide to Alice Oseman

by Lucie Dess

Alice Oseman is one of the most authentic and talked-about voices in contemporary YA. Her books are filled with strong friendships, self-discovery, and coming-of-age experiences, while the characters that populate them are both relatable and diverse. This guide can help you work out which Alice Oseman book you should begin with!

If you feel like perfect is the only option: Radio Silence

‘Being clever was, after all, my primary source of self-esteem. I’m a very sad person, in all senses

Read more ›

Recommended YA books & news for May

This month in YA books we have a story set in the tumultuous post-high school period, a moving tale of sisters in a dystopian world, the latest Heartstopper graphic novel from Alice Oseman, love troubles, and powerful magic.

Find our May picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

Can’t Say it Went to Plan by Gabrielle Tozer

Zoe, Samira and Dahlia are strangers, but they have something in common: their plans for a dream Schoolies Week…

Read more ›

A beginner's guide to Lynette Noni

by Claire Heazlewood

One day, a few years ago, I walked into my local bookstore and picked up a copy of Lynette Noni’s first novel, Akarnae. Intrigued, I bought it and read it. Ever since, I have been immersed in the worlds of Lynette Noni. She is a #1 bestselling author – and for good reason. So, now that you know you really should be reading her works, where do you start? This guide is here to help!

If you want to…

Read more ›

Recommended YA books & news for April

by Leanne Hall

This month we have gothic horror, gripping fantasy, wild behaviour in remote places and contemporary stories of romance, politics and self-exploration.

Find our April picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Ever since the three Hollow sisters – Grey, Vivi and Iris – disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month a later with no memories, black irises and white hair, eerie occurrences seem…

Read more ›

Which YA book should I read on the holidays?

The holidays are a wonderful time to sink deep into reading for pleasure. Here are our suggestions of books to please every sort of YA reader out there.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her high school teachers who think the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes, hallway harassment and gross comments from guys. But most of all, Viv is fed up with always following the rules. Viv’s…

Read more ›