Young adult
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
The Bad Guys Episode 8: Superbad by Aaron Blabey
Flying Ninja! (Ninja Kid Book 2) by Anh Do & Jeremy Ley
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey
Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
Everything I’ve Never Said by Samantha Wheeler
I want more authentic feminism in YA literature
by Ngaire BogemannTeen reader Ngaire Bogemann wants to see more authentic depictions of feminism in contemporary young adult (YA) literature.
(Please note that there’s a spoiler for the Divergent series in this blog post.)
The accurate representation of women in the YA department has grown exponentially in recent years. I’m proud of where we are, proud of the increasing number of female-written, female-driven novels being released. I’m happy to see positive, realistic, strong females being brought into the world, and I’m happy…
Kids & YA books to read during Mental Health Week
In recognition of Mental Health Week (7-13 October) and World Mental Health Day (10 October), we recommend six books for kids and teens that explore aspects of mental health.
We’ve also gathered together a broad range of books exploring mental health in our collections below this post.
Mr Huff by Anna Walker
Bill is having a bad day, the kind where everything seems to go wrong, and something tracks his every move. That something is the little grey cloud of…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
The Bad Guys Episode 8: Superbad by Aaron Blabey
Flying Ninja! (Ninja Kid Book 2) by Anh Do & Jeremy Ley
From Nerd to Ninja (Ninja Kid Book 1) by Anh Do & Jeremy Ley
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The 104-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
October YA books, events & news
This month in YA we have dark and thrilling fantasy, an eighteenth century adventure, a sensitive depiction of chronic illness and a climate change dystopia.
Find our October picks for kids books here.
YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
A Curse of Ash and Embers by Jo Spurrier
Strong-willed Elodie is sent to work as a servant at Black Oak Cottage, and finds herself helping the witch Aleida cope with the monstrous legacy of her predecessor Gyssha Blackbone. The two…
Winners of the 2018 Inky Awards
The Centre for Youth Literature has announced the winners of the 2018 Inky Awards!
The Inky Awards recognise high-quality young adult literature, with the shortlist selected by young adults, and the winners voted for online by teens. There are two awards: the Gold Inky Award for an Australian book, and the Silver Inky Award for an international book.
Gold Inky Award
The Gold Inky Award winner is Paper Cranes Don’t Fly by Peter Vu.
For Adam Auttenberg, hospital is like…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
The Bad Guys Episode 8: Superbad by Aaron Blabey
What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra
Flying Ninja! (Ninja Kid Book 2) by Anh Do & Jeremy Ley
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
To…
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
This month the teens were fortunate to have a visit from debut YA author, Eleni Hale, who spoke about her novel Stone Girl, published in May earlier this year.
Stone Girl is the story of a young girl, Sophie, whose mother tragically dies when she is only thirteen. Sophie has no choice but to enter the foster system in Melbourne. We see her transform, due to her terrible experiences, from an innocent, conscientious student to a street-wise, delinquent drug…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
The 104-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
The Bad Guys Episode 8: Superbad by Aaron Blabey
Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: Volume 2 by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Meet Me at the Intersection edited by Rebecca Lim & Ambelin Kwaymullina
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Girltopia (Book 1) by Hilary Rogers
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
Meet Me at the Intersection edited by Rebecca Lim & Ambelin Kwaymullina
Collecting Sunshine by Rachel Flynn & Tamsin Ainslie
Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey
Bad Apple (The Frooties Book 1) by Hil Rogers, Joshie Lefers & Pete Petrovic
Crazy Kiwi (The Frooties Book 1) by Hil Rogers, Joshie Lefers & Pete Petrovic
YA books to make you laugh
Sometimes what’s needed in life is a book that’s light, entertaining and full of characters and situations that make you laugh. We’ve put together some of our favourite funny YA books for your perusing pleasure.
Chloe Snow’s Diary: Confessions of a High School Disaster by Emma Chastain
Actress Emma Chastain’s debut book is so funny that Readings staff members messaged each other lists of their favourite parts, so that they could relive the painfully embarrassing antics of fifteen-year-old Chloe, as…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Brezania by Anthony Breslin
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls: Volume 2 by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Splashy Weird! (WeirDo Book 11) by Anh Do & Jules Faber
Kissed by the Moon by Alison Lester
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek &…
Eight recommended #OwnVoices novels
by Zach EdgeThe #OwnVoices movement has spread like wildfire over the last few years, a movement based on books involving diversity, written by authors from those diverse communities. #Ownvoices books are a great way to expand your knowledge of the world and deal with some topics you may not find much elsewhere, and while you’re at it, help support underrepresented authors.
Here is a list of some great #OwnVoices novels that you may have missed – or haven’t heard about.
If you…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey
With My Daddy: A Book of Love and Family by Jo Witek & Christine Roussey
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Splashy Weird! (WeirDo Book 11) by Anh Do & Jules Faber
Ting Ting the Ghosthunter by Gabrielle Wang
Limelight by…
YA books, events & news for September
This month in YA – you can read a timely and fascinating new anthology, the book that inspired Chloë Grace Moretz’s new film, and exciting new stories from Patrick Ness, Ambelin Kwaymullina and Michael Gerard Bauer.
YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina & Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Sibling team Ezekiel and Ambelin Kwaymullina have written a unique story that not only combines prose and verse, but weaves together crime fiction, Aboriginal mythology, and a ghost story. Beth…
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
It was the second meeting for our new Teen Advisory Board and everyone was enthusiastic and keen to talk about books.
This month we enjoyed a visit from Mira Schlosberg, the editor of Voiceworks, who told us all about the magazine and the work they do. The publication’s objective is to support and nurture young writers, editors and illustrators. People under the age of 25 can submit a piece to one of the quarterly themed issues (the latest theme…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Lord of the Fleas (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 5) by Dav Pilkey
Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey
Splashy Weird! (WeirDo Book 11) by Anh Do & Jules Faber
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
Shout Out to the Girls by various
High Five to the Boys by various
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
How Did I Get Here? by Philip Bunting
The winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2018
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their Book of the Year Awards winners for 2018. 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
Take Three Girls by Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell & Fiona Wood
Take Three Girls is a collaboration between three beloved Australian YA authors. When three very different teen girls are grouped together for a wellness class…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds (Book 1) by Jeremy Lachlan
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
I Am Out With Lanterns by Emily Gale
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess
The Inky Awards shortlist 2018
The Centre for Youth Literature at State Library Victoria has announced the shortlist for this year’s Inky Awards!
The Inky Awards recognise high-quality young adult literature. There are two awards: the Gold Inky Award for an Australian book, and the Silver Inky Award for an international book. The 2018 shortlist was selected from a longlist of 20 novels by a panel of seven teen judges from around Australia, and the 2018 winners will be voted for online by the teen…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
I Am Out With Lanterns by Emily Gale
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
The Relic of the Blue Dragon (Children of the Dragon Book 1) by Rebecca Lim
Everything YA in August
Contemporary Australian stories and multiple perspectives sit alongside revisionist fairytales, dystopias and fictional battles for survival in our YA round-up for this month.
You can also find some of our best kids reads of the month here.
YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
I Am Out With Lanterns by Emily Gale
I Am Out With Lanterns weaves together multiple points of view to create a story infused with art and magic. The lives of teenagers Wren, Adie, Milo, Ben, Juliet…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Wren by Katrina Lehman & Sophie Beer
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Real Pigeons Fight Crime (Book 1) by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
A Song Only I Can Hear by Barry Jonsberg
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and…
Announcing the Teen Advisory Board 2018-2019
The first meeting of the Readings Teen Advisory Board for 2018-19 was a joyous celebration of books and reading.
We initially played a few getting to know you games, including saying what you liked most or least about your name, and telling everyone your Hogwarts house (we had mainly Ravenclaws in the group – perhaps the biggest book nerds of Hogwarts).
Everyone was also asked to name their favourite author or book, although it was hard to stop at one…
Erin Gough wins the 2018 Readings Young Adult Book Prize
The winner of this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize is Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough.
The Prize considers first and second works of young adult fiction and memoir from Australian authors. This year’s shortlist included Between Us by Clare Atkins, Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian, Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein, Untidy Towns by Kate O’Donnell, This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada as well as Gough’s Amelia Westlake.
Amelia Westlake follows the story of Harriet Price (rule-abiding prefect) and…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Cicada by Shaun Tan
The Darkest Minds (Book 1) by Alexandra Bracken
Changing Gear by Scot Gardner
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Real Pigeons Fight Crime (Book 1) by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 104-Storey Treehouse (Book 8) by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Real Pigeons Fight Crime (Book 1) by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
Cicada by Shaun Tan
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
The Bad Guys Episode 7: Do-you-think-he-saurus?! (Book 7) by Aaron Blabey
Hotdog: Game Time! (Book 4) by Anh Do & Dan McGuiness
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
Engaging poetry for kids & teens
It’s easy to think that poetry will either inspire love or hate, but there are plenty of different ways to get kids and teens reading it. The recent popularity of Instapoets has brought poetry into the spotlight for a new generation, so now is a great time to keep the language flowing.
POETRY BOOKS FOR KIDS
I See The Moon by Rosalind Beardshaw
Share traditional bedtime rhymes and lullabies with little ones courtesy of this cutely illustrated collection. Children and…
A spotlight on Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein
Small Spaces is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
A lot of people have a fear of small spaces. Elevators, photo booths, changing rooms in clothing stores. Hedge mazes, enclosed water slides, narrow staircases, walk-in wardrobes. I mean, I get it – I avoid those things too. I can’t even lie in a bathtub without thrashing like a netted salmon. But sometimes I think the small space I fear most is…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Cicada by Shaun Tan
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Mercy Point by Anna Snoekstra
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess
Tiger’s Roar by Alex Rance & Shane McG
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
Everything YA in July
July is a cold wintry month, so it’s appropriate that there’s a plethora of YA thrillers, dystopias, and dark subject matter currently on our shelves.
You can find some of our best kids reads of the month here.
YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
Hive by A.J. Betts
Zac and Mia author Betts follows up her bestselling work with the atmospheric and intimate dystopia, Hive.
Nature-loving innocent Hayley works contentedly as a beekeeper in the strictly regulated, constrained and…
A spotlight on Between Us by Clare Atkins
Between Us is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
I lift my right foot off the ground, and place it on the lowest step of the bus. My nerves are an electric lightning storm inside me, fraught and fiery. The officer waves for me to get on. Her voice cracks with impatience. ‘Hurry up!’
– Clare Atkins, Between Us
Here’s what the judges said…
‘Jono is depressed, missing his absent mother…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Tiger’s Roar by Alex Rance & Shane McG
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
It was an emotional final farewell to our inaugural Teen Advisory Board this month. We celebrated with a special Brunetti’s cake (extra chocolate please) and a visit from two luminaries of the OzYA scene – Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.
The two authors regaled us with stories of how they began writing together, what its like to co-write with someone, and what it’s really like on the grueling publicity trail in the US. We talked about the incredible universe they…
A spotlight on This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada
This Mortal Coil is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
My stomach lurches. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, this distant cloud just might kill me. One breath is all it takes. One lungful of swirling, airborne virus particles that will swarm through every cell in your body. You’ll get a fever; you’ll incubate; then two weeks later you’ll go off like a grenade, infecting everyone in a mile-wide…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Tiger’s Roar by Alex Rance & Shane McG
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet
Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans (Tom Gates Book 14) by Liz…
Australian books to get excited about in the second half of 2018
Here’s a preview of some of the most exciting local releases for the second half of 2018.
FICTION
The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell (July)
The Coves by David Whish-Wilson (July)
A Month of Sundays by Liz Byrski (July)
The Far-Back Country by Kate Lyons (July)
We See the Stars by Kate Van Hooft (July)
When Elephants Fight by Majok Tulba (July)
Under Your Wings by Tiffany Tsao (July)
Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill (July)
Seven YA books I loved recently
Here are some of my favourite overseas YA reads from this year. I’ve followed my tastes freely and it’s lead me all over the place: dark fairytale, contemporary realism, historical fiction, humour, magic realism and fantasy.
(If you’re in the mood for Australian YA, you should definitely work your way through the Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist. It contains six very different and equally satisfying #LoveOzYA novels.)
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
I received delightfully dark fairytale…
A spotlight on Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Amelia Westlake is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about hoaxes. My life, for instance. Lately it feels less like a life and more like a joke. Somebody’s practical joke. Don’t get me wrong. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Terrible stuff has been happening to me since I was born. Mum and Dad named me Wilhelmina for a start.
– Erin Gough, Amelia Westlake
Here’s…
The Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals winners 2018
The winners of the 2018 CILIP 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.
As of last year, all shortlisted titles are also considered for an extra commendation – the Amnesty CILIP Honour, which celebrates books that best…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Tiger’s Roar by Alex Rance & Shane McG
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Tarin of the Mammoths: The Exile (Book 1) by Jo Sandhu
Found in Melbourne by Joanne O'Callaghan & Kori Song
…
A spotlight on Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian
Beautiful Mess is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
I write poems. But there’s no way to say that without sounding like a dickhead. I’ve tried. I spend a considerable amount of time trying not to sound like a dickhead. That’s what my life is – trying to not sound like a dickhead and overcompensating for moments when I’m positive I do sound like a dickhead, like right now. I’m pretty…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans (Tom Gates Book 14) by Liz Pichon
YA books, events & news for June
This month – a contemporary road trip turns contemplative, a school leaver is forced to write a food journal, history gets rewritten, and a charismatic YA author manipulates a group of young fans.
You can find some of our best kids reads of the month here.
Changing Gear by Scot Gardner
In the wake of his beloved grandfather passing away, teenager Merrick lies to his separated parents and heads off for a road trip on his old postie bike…
A spotlight on Untidy Towns by Kate O’Donnell
Untidy Towns is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
It was my decision, one I was determined not to regret. Just a few hours earlier this had been the easiest decision to make, the only option. But now I started to feel I needed reassurance that it wasn’t the stupidest mistake I had ever made.
– Kate O’Donnell, Untidy Towns
Here’s what the judges said…
‘Addie has quit her final year…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams & Tony Ross
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Midnight (Skulduggery Pleasant Book 11) by Derek Landy
Found in Melbourne by Joanne O'Callaghan & Kori Song
Tarin of the Mammoths: The Exile (Book 1) by Jo…
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
This month the teens gave feedback on the 2018 Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist and discussed each of the titles on the list, including elements such as the characterisation, plot, writing style and even covers of each book. Earlier in the year they had been lucky enough to meet one of the shortlisted authors, Clare Atkins, and receive a copy of her book.
We also had a visit this month from a publishing industry professional, Allison Colpoys, a book…
The Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist 2018
We couldn’t be more excited to reveal the shortlist for this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize. This is the second year of the Prize, which celebrates the best new writers in Australian Young Adult literature, and considers first and second YA books.
The six shortlisted novels are:
Untidy Towns by Kate O’Donnell
Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada
Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein
Between Us by Clare Atkins
Nina…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter
The Mystery of the Magic Stones (Polly and Buster Book 2) by Sally Rippin
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (illustrations by Isabel Roxas)
Found in Melbourne by Joanne O'Callaghan & Kori Song
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
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