Top picks for Kids and YA book clubs

27 Jun 2022

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

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What to Say When you Don’t Know What to Say by Davina Bell

A warm and whimsical guide to negotiating life’s little moments and big emotions with empathy, kindness and words from the heart.

Themes include:

feelings and emotions
negotiating skills
visual literacy

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For readers aged 8-12

Wylah the Koorie Warrior by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard

Wylah is brave, clever and strong-willed, and all her best friends are giant megafauna animals. But she isn’t a warrior. Then comes the day when her family is stolen by the dragon army, and she must find the courage to set out on a journey to save them.

Themes include:

Fantasy adventure
First Nations culture
family
friendship

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August and Jones by Pip Harry

The story of two extraordinary kids who discover the life-changing power of friendship and teamwork.

Themes include:

disability
friendship
family separation
home

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The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm by Karen Foxlee

Miss Mary-Kate Martin might be anxious, but she’s not scared of monsters. Travelling the globe with her famous archaeologist mother, Mary-Kate helps solve legendary problems.

Themes include:

fantasy adventure
anxiety
animals
environment

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For readers aged 13 and up

The Museum of Broken Things by Lauren Draper

A humorous, beautifully observed YA novel about overcoming grief amid the vulnerability of high school relationships.

Themes include:

grief
secrets
family
friendship

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My Spare Heart by Jared Thomas

Phoebe’s non-Indigenous mother and her father, an Aboriginal man, have split up and she’s moved to a country town. When her mum becomes increasingly unreliable, Phoebe needs to figure out how to get help.

Themes include: