Stories from the Library

Last week the 2023 CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist was announced. 

The books selected showcase Australian excellence in books for children and young adults. You can view the Notables at 

https://cbca.org.au/notables-2023 and the Shortlist at https://cbca.org.au/shortlist-2023. 

Most of these books are available in our library. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy and explore many of these in library lessons next term, leading up to Book Week in August. The titles include outstanding books, fiction and non-fiction, across a range of genres and student interests.

Junior students have enjoyed reading books about autumn and English extension students have been busy outside, nurturing their creativity and learning to think like writers by observing and writing about everything they see around them in their own writer’s notebook. 

Through one of the CBCA notable books, The Happiest Boy on Earth, senior students have been learning about the story of Eddie Jaku. This is a picture book adaptation of the bestselling adult title, The Happiest Man on Earth, published when Eddie was 100 years old. The picture book is framed as a conversation between Eddie and his great grandchildren, who are keen to know more about Eddie’s past. The story of Eddie’s life is sensitively unfolded through his gentle words, enriched by the skilled illustrations of Nathaniel Eckstrom. Eddie Jaku, OAM, was born in Germany in 1920. During World War 2, Eddie was imprisoned in concentration camps, but managed to escape in 1945. He was eventually rescued by Allied soldiers. In 1950 Eddie moved with his family to Australia, where he died last year, at 101 years old. Eddie made the decision to use his life to show how hope and love can overcome despair and hate. Eddie says, ‘Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.’ Despite the darkness Eddie faced, he made the choice to look for the good in life and to try and help others. During our lessons we have discussed what we can all learn from Eddie’s inspirational example, which is powerfully illustrated in Eddie’s adaptation of a well known quote.

‘Please do not walk in front of me, 

I may not be able to follow.

Please do not walk behind me, 

I may not be able to lead.

Just walk beside me and be my friend.’   

Mrs Kathryn Jaeger

Teacher Librarian and English Extension