Young adult

A spotlight on Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard

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

Nerd Zeke, punk Charlie, and footy hero Hammer don’t appear to have anything in common. But appearances can be deceiving, and these three boys are all coming to terms with their homosexuality in a town where it is much safer for them to keep aspects of themselves invisible.

Here’s what the judges said…

‘Observed from their three points of view, with anonymous…

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A spotlight on Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller

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

Stacey and Laney are twins, yet they could not be more different from one another. Stacey works hard at school; Laney skips school and sneaks out to meet her boyfriend. But when Laney disappears one night, Stacey refuses to believe, as most of the townsfolk do, that Laney has just run away with her boyfriend. There are darker forces at work and…

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

Welcome To Country by Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy

Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayor & Blak Douglas

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe

Respect by Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson & Lisa Kennedy

Bluey: Big Backyard

Bluey: Bob Bilby

Greta Thunberg (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Anke Weckmann

Please Don’t Hug Me by Kay Kerr

Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller

Our kids…

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A spotlight on The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.

Anna Chiu has her hands full with Year 11, looking after her brother and sister, and helping out at her family’s restaurant. Her dad’s new delivery boy, Rory, is a welcome distraction and Anna loves spending time working on perfecting her dumplings. But her close-knit family isn’t without its complications – her mum has an untreated mental…

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A spotlight on Devil's Ballast by Meg Caddy

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

Anne Bonny was eighteen when she ran away from her violent husband, James, and teamed up with the pirate Calico Jack. Now she’s passing as a cabin boy on Jack’s ship and playing her part in a ruthless crew that is causing terror for all aboard the ships of the Caribbean. But James Bonny still wants her back and will do whatever…

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Recommended YA books, news & resources for June

by Leanne Hall

We’ve got stories strange and otherworldly this month. Sinking islands, mysterious sisters, splintered narratives and trippy parties all have a place on our reading shelf in June.

Find our June picks for kids books here.

SIX YA BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH

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 rations stockpiled by their father…

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The Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist 2020

by Angela Crocombe

We are delighted to announce the 2020 shortlist for the Readings Young Adult Book Prize. Now in its fourth year, this prize was created to recognise and celebrate new voices in Australian Young Adult literature, and considers the first and second books of YA authors across Australia.

What an incredibly strong year it has been for Australian Young Adult fiction. This year’s judges had a tough task choosing our shortlist from around 40 eligible novels, many of which were…

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

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Welcome To Country by Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy

Bluey: The Beach

Bluey: The Creek

The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks

Slime by David Walliams & Tony Ross

Bluey: Big Backyard

Respect by Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson & Lisa Kennedy

The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble

Bluey: Time to Play!

Suzanne Collins proves that it doesn’t matter if it’s ten years between books - the prequel and…

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Poppy Nwosu on the Mr Darcy conundrum

by Poppy Nwosu

YA author Poppy Nwosu reflects on the enigma that is Mr Darcy, and the challenges of writing realistic, swoon-worthy romantic heroes for teen readers.

Love stories have existed for thousands of years, yet the culture surrounding romance has changed hugely in that time.

Recently, a work colleague told me her young niece had watched an adaption of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and expressed a desire for her very own ‘Mr Darcy’. This gave us both pause. In this…

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

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Slime by David Walliams & Tony Ross

Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Adam Briggs, Kate Moon & Rachael Sarra

Bluey: The Creek

Bluey: The Beach

Bluey: Big Backyard

Black Cockatoo by Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler

Bluey: Fruit Bat

Greta Thunberg (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Anke Weckmann

Burn by Patrick Ness

It’s no surprise to see that the highly anticipated new book in…

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

Bluey: The Creek

Bluey: The Beach

Slime by David Walliams & Tony Ross

Dawn of the Underlord (The Bad Guys, Episode 11) by Aaron Blabey

The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks

Real Pigeons Peck Punches (Real Pigeons, Book 5) by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood

Landing with Wings by Trace Balla

Bluey: Big Backyard

Bin Chicken by Kate Temple & Ronojoy Ghosh

As Fast As I Can by Penny Tangey

Are young readers and families yearning for the…

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Eight great new queer YA books

by Leanne Hall

If you’re in need of your next queer YA read, look no further. Some of our favourite recent releases include a visit to San Francisco in the punk era, warm magical realism, epic fantasy, gripping contemporary fiction, a graphic novel and a heart-baring memoir.

Music from Another World by Robin Talley

Two teenage girls from opposite ends of California are assigned as school pen pals in 1977. Closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can’t be herself at her strict Christian high school…

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

Slime by David Walliams & Tony Ross

Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Adam Briggs, Kate Moon & Rachael Sarra

Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayor & Blak Douglas (available 1 June)

Landing with Wings by Trace Balla

The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks

Aurora Burning (The Aurora Cycle, Book 2) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Real Pigeons Peck Punches (Real Pigeons, Book 5) by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood

Bluey: The Creek

Bluey: Time to

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Recommended YA books, news & resources for May

by Leanne Hall

May serves up a glut of quality Australian YA fiction – the second book in Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s blockbuster sci-fi series, and moving contemporary stories from no less than three exciting debut voices. There’s also new books from YA stars Patrick Ness and Suzanne Collins.

Find our May picks for kids books here.

SIX YA BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH

Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Squad 312 of the Aurora legion are back, to…

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Kay Kerr reflects on autism & writing

Kay Kerr’s debut novel Please Don’t Hug Me depicts life on the cusp of adulthood – and on the autism spectrum. Kerr is a freelance writer and former journalist and community newspaper editor from Queensland. She was writing the first draft of Please Don’t Hug Me when she received her own autism-spectrum diagnosis.

If I were asked to name my most life-changing moment, it wouldn’t be my book deal, my wedding day or even the day my daughter was born…

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

Slime by David Walliams & Tony Ross

Aurora Burning (The Aurora Cycle, Book 2) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Bluey: Time to Play!

Landing with Wings by Trace Balla

Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie Woo

I Can Be Anything by Shinsuke Yoshitake

Bluey: Bob Bilby

Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renée Treml

E-Boy (E-Boy, Book 1) by Anh Do & Chris Wahl

What Do You Call a Baby…? by Kamsani Bin…

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A personal reflection on French graphic novels

by Claire Long

Teen reader Claire Long recently spent some time living in France. Here she reflects on the significance of graphic novels – or le bande dessinée – in the nation’s literary imagination, and how it compares to Australian attitudes.

Now unless you have learnt French, you have no idea what le bande dessinée is. Well for starters, le bande dessinée is a French term and translates to graphic novel. In France, le bande dessinée seem to be much more widely appreciated…

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

Slime by David Walliams & Tony Ross

Bluey: Time to Play!

Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie Woo

Bluey: Big Backyard

Landing with Wings by Trace Balla

Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml

I’ll Always Be Older Than You by Jane Godwin & Sara Acton

E-Boy (E-Boy, Book 1) by Anh Do & Chris Wahl

Bluey: Bob Bilby

Where the Wilderness Lives by Jess Butterworth

Young readers prove once more how much they love…

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Recommended YA books, news & resources for April

by Leanne Hall

This month we have oodles of exciting new Australian YA fiction and a unique Shakespearean read from a well-known British poet.

Find our April picks for kids books here.

FIVE YA BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH

Deep Water by Sarah Epstein

Three months ago, 13-year-old Henry disappeared from The Shallows, a small rural Australian town, during a violent storm, leaving behind his muddy bike at the train station. Chloe Baxter thinks there is more to the story and resolves…

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The CBCA Book of the Year Awards shortlists 2020

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced its Book of the Year Awards shortlists for 2020. Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators, editors and publishers!

Here are the shortlists for each category.

Older Readers (for ages 13-18 years)

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews

How it Feels to Float by Helena Fox

Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller

When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

This Is How We Change

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Teens recommend Astrid Scholte's new fantasy novel

While meeting for the Readings Teen Advisory Board are currently on hiatus, our bookish teen advisors are still making time to catch up on the latest releases.

This month they’ve been diving into Australian author Astrid Scholte’s second novel. Scholte’s first book, Four Dead Queens, was a pleasing blend of fantasy and murder mystery, and The Vanishing Deep is equally unique. When seventeen-year-old Tempest’s older sister Elysea mysteriously drowns, Tempest seeks out the services at Palindromena, a high-end scientific…

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Four new LoveOzYA books to celebrate right now

We’re so excited about four new #LoveOzYA books that have launched this month. These novels couldn’t launch with events at Readings shops as planned, but we still intend to bang the drum about them!

Read on as Astrid Scholte, Katya de Becerra, Eliza Henry Jones and Sarah Epstein share with us the stories behind their new books, and thank the people who’ve supported them.

Astrid Scholte shares the story behind The Vanishing Deep

I first got the idea for…

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Recommended YA books & news for March

by Leanne Hall

This month we have atmospheric fantasy novels with unique settings, heartfelt contemporary YA and a sprinkling of romance.

Find our March picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

Our YA book of the month is Astrid Scholte’s The Vanishing Deep – a standalone fantasy murder mystery set in a flooded post-climate change world.

When seventeen-year-old Tempest’s older sister Elysea mysteriously drowns, Tempest seeks out the services at Palindromena, a high-end scientific facility that allows rich patrons…

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

The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Bluey: Time to Play!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman & Chris Riddell

Coraline by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean

Maybe by Kobi Yamada & Gabriella Barouch

The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble

Bluey: Fruit Bat

The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods

Bluey: The Beach

Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe

Julia Donaldson’s recent visit to Melbourne for The Gruffalo and Friends

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The CBCA notable books of 2020

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced its Notable Books for 2020. Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers!

The CBCA Awards were first presented in 1946 and are the longest-running book awards in Australia.

CBCA National Chair Professor Margot Hillel OAM says the 2020 Notables List was drawn from 517 entries and is ‘arguably the most diverse award longlist in Australia’.

Here are the notable books for each category.

Older Readers

Books in this category may…

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The Readings Teen Advisory Boards talks queer representation in YA books

This month, the Readings Teen Advisory Board met with author Alison Evans, who shared their writing process, and discussed queer representation in YA books more generally. Below are some of their thoughts on this topic, as well as a round-up of recommendations for Euphoria Kids, the new book from Evans.

What are your thoughts on queer representation in YA literature?

‘I think it’s important that queer authors continue to be given a platform. The best representation comes from experience.’…

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YA books to gift your crush

by Leanne Hall

Let’s celebrate love and friendship in all its forms! We recommend our favourite warm, fuzzy and loved-up books that are suitable to give your crush, or a cherished friend, or even yourself.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed

Love blossoms during a political campaign in this sweet cross-cultural romance, which also happens to be our YA Book of the Month.

Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state candidate – as long as he’s…

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Recommended YA books & news for February

by Leanne Hall

The YA reading year is off to a great start. In February, we’ve got a sweet political rom-com, a playlist of love stories, gripping sci-fi adventures, and unique fantasy reads that span from gentle to sinister.

Find our February picks for kids books here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

Two big-name authors come together in Yes No Maybe So, a heartwarming cross-cultural political rom-com that uses alternating first-person narratives to great effect. Sixteen-year-old Jamie Goldberg prefers to support…

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The most anticipated children's & young adult books of 2020

by Angela Crocombe

2020 already feels like a bumper year for new children’s and young adult books, particularly from local talent.

In March we have a new middle grade novel from Jessica Miller, who has previously been shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book Prize. It is called The Republic of Birds and I have it on good authority that it is brilliant. Also in March, we have a fantastic debut middle grade novel from fantasy author Alison Croggon called The Threads of

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Teens respond to our literary anxieties

As part of this month’s meeting with the Readings Teen Advisory Board we chatted about ‘literary anxieties’ and how to deal with them. Here’s what they said.

I have this book I really, truly, utterly love, but I’m embarrassed to tell people because a lot of others look down on it… What should I do?

‘Go online and find that one niche page on Reddit/Tumblr where all of the people in the same boat as you go.’ – Thea

‘If…

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The Readings Teen Advisory Board meets Will Kostakis

by Angela Crocombe

In our Teen Advisory Board’s last meeting for 2019, the hilarious Will Kostakis visited the teens to talk about his career as an author. First up was his journey to publication at age nineteen. He had the teens in hysterics as he showed them his author photo of a precocious young author and his many stories of growing up as a young gay man with strong Greek family ties.

He talked about how it was important to put these aspects…

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What YA book to read next, based on your zodiac sign

by Leanne Hall

It’s crucial to get your summer reading just right – so we’ve selected your next YA read based on your zodiac sign. Naturally, our choices are all one thousand percent correct and we will hear no criticism…

What to read if you’re an Aries…

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Aries, you are passionate, competitive and the first to leap into action, so we think you’ll love the tenacity of Hetty, Reese and Byatt as they fight for survival and the…

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