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SHORTLISTED TITLES:: Older Readers: Younger Readers : Early Childhood |  | Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel
Ishmael has made it to the Senior School and things are really looking up. His nemesis and chief tormentor Barry Bagsley has finally decided to leave him alone, while his dream girl and chief goddess Kelly Faulkner has finally decided not to. Has he broken free of Ishmael Leseur's Syndrome at last? Could his remaining two years at St Daniel's College actually be described as 'normal'? Absolutely not. Ishmael's mates critique the Ishmael books: Ignatius Prindabel: I found 37 factual errors. Scobie: Harry Potter for those with an IQ higher than the mean. Bill Kingsley: Funnier than the Arcturian Grendel-Worm. Razzman: Short on chicks, that's all I'm saying. |  | A Straight Line to My Heart
School is out forever, and Tiff is hoping her job at the local paper will lead to something more ...But 'The Shark' soon puts her straight on what it takes to become a hard-nosed reporter like him. At home, Reggie - the only grandad she's ever known - has quit the smokes and diagnosed himself as cactus. Then her best friend, Kayla, hits her with some big news. And into all this stumbles Davey, the first boy who really wants to know her. Tiff is smart with words and rarely does tears, but in one short week she discovers that words don't always get you there and don't let you say all the stuff from deep in your heart. |  | The Golden Day
"There were only eleven of them, like eleven sisters all the same age in a large family. Because it was such a very small class, they had a very small classroom, which was perched at the very top of the school. 'Today, girls,' said Miss Renshaw, 'we shall go out into the beautiful garden and think about death.'" So off they go, and in the garden they meet a poet - a dreamy young man with a voice like an owl who takes them to a cave at the nearby beach. The girls wait while the poet and Miss Renshaw explore the cave. They wait. And they wait. And they wait. But Miss Renshaw and the strange man never reappear. So the girls make their way back to school alone. As the days turn into weeks and innuendo turns into scandal, they remain loyal to Miss Renshaw. But what really happened that day on the beach? And do the girls know more than they are letting on? |  | The Dead I Know
"You wake in the middle of the night, your arms and feet pinned by strong hands. As you thrash your way to consciousness, a calm voice says, 'Steady. We're here to help.' Your mind registers a paramedic, a policeman, an ambulance. You are lying on the lookout at Keeper's Point, the lookout Amanda Creen supposedly threw herself off. And you have absolutely no idea how you got there." Aaron Rowe walks in his sleep. He has dreams he can't explain, and memories he can't recover. Death doesn't scare him - his new job with a funeral director may even be his salvation. But if he doesn't discover the truth about his hidden past soon, he may fall asleep one night and never wake up. |  | The Coming of the Whirlpool
Young Dow Amber is no sailor. But driven by a strange sea-longing he ventures from the high country of New Island all the way down to a grim fishing village on the shores of the bay known as the Claw. There he finds a cursed people living in dread not only of the mysterious Ship Kings that rule their country, but also of the fury of the ocean itself. When the Ship Kings sail their tall ships into the Claw, Dow's forbidden longing only grows. Who are the Ship Kings? How do they navigate the high seas? And what of the strange and fascinating girl who lives aboard one of their ships? When the whirlpool rises, will the call of the sea lead Dow to his heart's desire or to certain death? |  | When We Were Two
Dan has had it with his Dad. He's not going to take the abuse anymore. He's sixteen, old enough to leave; maybe he'll find his long-lost mother in the process. What Dan doesn't count on is being followed by his younger brother Eddie, and what began as a reckless solo journey becomes one of responsibility. Their bond is tested by the characters they encounter and when they fall in with a small group of would-be soldiers marching over the mountains to join the fight in the Great War, who take the boys under their wing, the experiences they share together with this rag-tag crew will shape all their lives forever. |  | Crow Country
Sadie isn't thrilled when her mother drags her from the city to live in the country town of Boort. But soon she starts making connections - connections with the country, with the past, with two boys, Lachie and Walter, and, most surprisingly, with the ever-present crows. When Sadie is tumbled back in time to view a terrible crime, she is pulled into a strange mystery. Can Sadie, Walter and Lachie figure out a way to right old wrongs, or will they be condemned to repeat them? |  | The Outcasts
In Skandia, there is only one way to become a warrior. Boys are chosen for teams called brotherbands and must endure three months of gruelling training in seamanship, weapons and battle tactics. It's brotherband against brotherband, fighting it out in a series of challenges. There can be only one winner. When Hal Mikkelson finds himself the unwilling leader of a brotherband made up of outcasts, he must step up to the challenge. The Heron brotherband might not have the strength and numbers of the other two teams, but with inventiveness, ingenuity and courage on their side, they might just surprise everyone. I/I |  | Nanberry
It's 1789, and as the new colony in Sydney Cove is established, Surgeon John White defies convention and adopts Nanberry, an Aboriginal boy, to raise as his son. Nanberry is clever and uses his unique gifts as an interpreter to bridge the two worlds he lives in. With his white brother, Andrew, he witnesses the struggles of the colonists to keep their precarious grip on a hostile wilderness. And yet he is haunted by the memories of the Cadigal warriors who will one day come to claim him as one of their own. This true story follows the brothers as they make their way in the world - one as a sailor, serving in the Royal Navy, the other a hero of the Battle of Waterloo. No less incredible is the enduring love between the gentleman surgeon and the convict girl, saved from the death penalty, to become a great lady in her own right. |  | The Truth About Verity Sparks
Verity Sparks is good at finding lost things, but will she be able to uncover the truth about her own past? Verity Sparks is a thirteen-year-old orphan working as a milliner in Victorian London. But Verity is no ordinary girl - she has an almost perfect memory and possesses the talent of Teleagtivism. She can easily find things that are lost! When Verity is wrongly accused of theft and dismissed from her job, she goes to live with the Plushes - a slightly Bohemian family who run a Confidential Inquiry Agency. Verity helps them solve cases and slowly becomes one of the family. But patches of the truth about her past begin to surface, along with the special talent that Professor Plush is helping her explore. Who were her real parents? Is she the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter? Who is sending poison pen letters about Verity to the Plushes? Who doesn't want them to learn the truth about Verity Sparks? An adventure/mystery with a dash of the supernatural thrown in; The Truth About Verity Sparks is packed with chases through the dark alleys of London, seances in high-class dining rooms, pet pythons named Anthony and Cleopatra, murdered opera singers and much, much more. |  | The Golden Door
The walled city of Weld is under attack from ferocious flying creatures that raid in the night, bringing death and destruction. The Warden calls for Volunteers to find and destroy the Enemy sending the invaders, and the heroes of Weld answer the call one by one, never to return. Rye is officially too young to go, but his brothers are among the lost, and he must help them. What terrors await him beyond the wall? |  | Bungawitta
It's crunch time in Bungawitta. The land's as dry as a dead galah, there's no rain in sight, and only twelve people left in town. Nobody can make it rain. But a shower of money would help keep Bungawitta alive. And a festival would attract city tourists with money to spend, Jay's sure of it. But can twelve people, two dogs and a Shetland pony put on a proper festival? |  | Runaway Hug
Lucy shares the hug with everyone in her family. Along the way it becomes softer, sleepier, bigger, even peanut-buttery. But when the hug runs away, Lucy discovers that it's not so easy to get it back. Highly acclaimed and internationally best-selling picture-book creators Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood have worked together for the first time on this gentle, charming story that is sure to become a classic with Australian families. |  | Come Down, Cat!
The day is ending, night is falling, and Nicholas's cat still won't come down. High on the roof he licks his paws while Nicholas worries about monsters and ghosts. Nicholas fetches a ladder so high that he can see into nests when he reaches the top. But the cat - that cheeky, naughty cat! - just won't come down to the safe, warm house. From the combined genius of celebrated author Sonya Hartnett and illustrator Lucia Masciullo comes this tale of friendship and bravery, and the things we are capable of doing for those we love and treasure most. |  | That's Not a Daffodil!
When Tom's neighbour gives him a brown bulb, Tom can't believe it will flower. "That's not a daffodil!" says Tom. "Well," says the old gardener. "Let's plant it and see." Elizabeth Honey has created a playful story that little children will enjoy again and again - about an inventive boy, a kindly gardener, a growing friendship and the promise of a bulb. |  | The Last Viking
CBC Picture Book of the Year winner Norman Jorgensen teams up with illustrator James Foley on this fun picture book about a boy who outwits local bullies by channelling his inner Viking. |  | No Bears
Ruby is in charge of this book. And she'll tell you something right now. There are NO BEARS in it. Not even one. Ruby wants to tell you a story. A story with absolutely no bears. You don't need bears for a book. You need pretty things like fairies and princesses and castles. And maybe funny things and exciting things - but definitely no bears! |  | Rudie Nudie
'One, two Rudie Nudie, Rudie Nudie in the bath...' Emma Quay captures all the joy and energy of childhood in this irresistible rhyming tale. With its charming illustrations and lively text, 'Rudie Nudie' is destined to become an instant family favourite! Ages 2+ |
| SHORTLISTED TITLES: Picture Book : Information Book : Crichton Shortlist |  | Look a Book!
When two ragamuffins stumble across a book in the dust their world begins to change. The familiar becomes fantastical, the mundane becomes magical, and a fractured community finds a focus. Set in a dreary, underprivileged, contemporary world, "Look, A Book!" is an exhilarating whirl through the magic of imagination that leaves the reader in an vertiginous trance. |  | The Dream of the Thylacine
The Dream of the Thylacine is a lament for a lost species, and a celebration of the Australian landscape. It interposes arresting text and images of the last known thylacine in a concrete cage with sweeping colour paintings of the animal in its natural environment. Intense, poetic and beautiful, this book will haunt you. |  | For All Creatures
For all creatures the great and the small, the winged and the walking, the singing and the silent we are thankful. This second collaboration by the award-winning team of Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool is a celebration of the beauty and mystery of life in its many forms. Age 3+. |  | A Bus Called Heaven
One morning it appeared, out of nowhere, sitting right outside Stella's house - a broken, old bus. On the front of it, held up with packing tape, is a hand-painted sign that says, "Heaven". How did it get there? Everyone wonders...but no one knows. Then, out from the shadows steps Stella, normally so shy. She climbs onto the bus and, in a moment, sees everything that it could become: "This bus could be ours", she says. And so, the lonely old bus - with the help of some colourful graffiti - becomes a hub of activity. People come together to hold meetings, play games and share stories; sparrows nest where the engine used to be and snails make their little homes under the tyres. But one day a tow truck arrives and threatens to take away not just the bus, but everything that everyone has worked so hard to create. Can Stella save the day? This is a beautiful story about friendship, the strength of community and a little girl who finally comes into her own. Bob Graham's books have sold over two million copies worldwide! "Heaven" is endorsed by Amnesty International UK. | | No Bears
Ruby is in charge of this book. And she'll tell you something right now. There are NO BEARS in it. Not even one. Ruby wants to tell you a story. A story with absolutely no bears. You don't need bears for a book. You need pretty things like fairies and princesses and castles. And maybe funny things and exciting things - but definitely no bears! |  | Flood
This is a story that shows how strong and devastating flood water can be to homes and livelihoods. It is inspired by the 2011 Queensland floods but it could be about any of the disasters that strike our land, and the events that turn everyday Australians into heroes. Flood depicts water mercilessly ripping through Queensland towns and then receding, leaving destruction and devastation in its wake. Told from the perspective of a cattle dog who is separated from his family, Flood helps children to understand the affects of a traumatic natural disaster without being too confronting, while the story of the little tugboat that pushes a boardwalk out to sea, staving off further disaster, gives smaller children a hero they can relate to. Flood is a beautiful and timely expression of the strength of the Australian spirit during times of adversity. |  | The Little Refugee
Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. It was a dangerous journey, with murderous pirates and terrifying storms, but they managed to survive. Life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. But there was a loving extended family, lots of friends, and always something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. And eventually for a young Anh, who tried hard to see the bright side of life no matter what the difficulty, there was triumph. The Little Refugee tells the uplifting and inspiring story of the incredible childhood of one of Australia's favourite personalities. |  | One Small Island
Macquarie Island lies in the Southern Ocean, between Antarctica and New Zealand. A speck of green in the vast, windswept sea, it is a haven for many creatures that live above and below the waves. In One Small Island, Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch bring us the story of this remote and precious World Heritage Site. Together they explore the island's unique geological beginnings, discovery and degradation at the hands of humans, and the battle to restore it today. This beautifully presented book leaves us with an important question: can Macquarie Island and places like it be saved? |  | Surrealism for Kids
Developed and written especially for children, and based on a selection of the word and image games once played by the surrealists, Surrealism for Kids is a beautiful 60-page publication exploring the ideas and approaches behind Surrealism in a series of activities for kids to do at home or in the classroom. Ages 10+ |  | Bilby Secrets
A beautiful narrative non-fiction book which follows the life of a bilby, an Australian marsupial. The story depicts a young bilby's birth, habitat, behaviour and diet. When Baby Bilby is born, he's as long as your little toe. He crawls into his mother's warm pouch, where he feeds and grows. Baby Bilby is soon ready to leave the safety of the burrow. He follows his mother closely, sniffs the night air, and hops into the moonlight for his first desert adventure. |  | Fromelles
The Battle of Fromelles lasted less than 24 hours in which more than 5,000 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. What was the purpose of this bloody and ultimately pointless loss of life? And why, almost a century later, did the world's attention shift to the village of Fromelles? |  | Playground
We use the bush as our school and as our playground, says one of the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose voices combine in this anthology of true stories about childhood, compiled from a wide range of memoirs and oral histories. Alongside reminiscences of getting bush tucker, going fishing and taking part in ceremony, there are descriptions of playing games, building cubbies and having fun. The warmth of home, the love of family and the strength of community shine through every story. Freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility, while respect and sharing are constant themes. The eighty Elders - both past and present - who have contributed their words or artwork to this book include many prominent community leaders, educators and artists. Their life-stories span the twentieth century. Just as important are the contemporary stories told by twenty secondary school students. Although some of these young people now make their home in the city, their connection to traditional country remains the source of learning.
As we listen to these stories that come from country and from inside the heart, we find wisdom that could help us care for each other and for the land where we all now live. |  | Ben and Duck
One day Ben decides to go to the park and feed the ducks. There he meets a particularly persuasive duck who follows him home. This is a delightfully illustrated and funny story about the development of a new relationship between Ben and Duck. |  | Squish Rabbit
Squish is just a little rabbit. But being little can lead to BIG problems. Sometimes Squish is hard to hear...and see. And it isn't easy making friends. But no matter how little Squish is, one thing is certain - he has a very large heart. A beautiful and heartwarming tale from a talented new author/illustrator about the life and friendships of a little rabbit called Squish who wants to find a true friend more than anything else in the world. |  | A Song for Lorkie
Lorkie was a Roofbird. His best friend was Brian, and they had been friends since they were eggs. They lived in the Valley of Roofs, where every bird had a song to sing except Lorkie. Lorkie couldn't sing, until he found a new home in the middle of the Argy-Bargy roundabout. Brilliant pictures from internationally acclaimed artist Dean Bowen harmonise perfectly with Jennifer Castles' sweet and surprising text in this delightful book for children and parents to read aloud together. |  | York's Universe
York lives in the city but a chance encounter opens him up to the possibilities of the world beyond. AGE: 4+ AUTHOR: Heidi Goh was born in Braidwood NSW in 1976. She studied Fine Arts at The National Art School then obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Communications followed by a Diploma of Education. She lives in Sydney with her best friend and husband Ben, and their two children. They take frequent trips to the coast and country. SELLING POINTS: Beautifully illustrated Explores the difference between the city and country Gives children a sense of their place in the wider world Whilst the city is not named people in Sydney will recognise their city Teacher's notes will be available. |  | Mozzie and Midgie
When Mozzie and Midgie meet a colourful parrot who boasts of being the most beautiful bird on the island, the two young spoonbills set off to find out what could make them beautiful and special. |  | Grumpy Little King
"The little king was always grumpy. 'I am fed up with being the little king of a tiny nation!' he shouted. 'I want to rule over an enormous country and be famous!" So the little king decided to start a war. But it didn't quite work out the way he planned...An engaging and thought-provoking story about conflict, exposing the foolishness of war with a light touch. |
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