Reading is Magic

Reading really does turn to magic here in the library at Beaumaris Secondary College, a place where all the CBCA award-winning books are being celebrated during Book Week, and where lively discussion was heard from students during book club on Wednesday.

2024 CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Book of the Year: Older Readers – 13-18 Years

WINNER OF THE 2024 CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR OLDERS READERS
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 ETHEL TURNER PRIZE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 UTS GLENDA ADAMS AWARD FOR NEW WRITING

The book reads: “A debut YA verse novel about what happens when the paths of a young busking violinist and an aspiring street artist collide during a pandemic. Set in one of the most locked-down cities in the world – Melbourne, 2020.

This song has a grace note,

a tiny note that’s there for embellishment

but can easily be ignored,

not played.

Tonight, I add it in –

just because.

We can all do with an extra note of grace.

Grace Dalfinch is a talented violinist who longs to play contemporary music in bars, but her mum forbids her.

James Crux is an aspiring street artist who promised his dad he wouldn’t paint in public until he’s finished school.

When Crux witnesses Grace’s impromptu performance on a deserted tram, he’s inspired to paint her and her violin; and when Grace stumbles across her portrait in a Melbourne alley by an anonymous street artist, she sets out to find its creator”.

What the CBCA judges said…

“This beautifully written debut captures all the light and shade of COVID-19 lockdowns, exploring the wider impact of the pandemic and how it affected different age groups. As one would expect from a verse novel, the prose is spectacularly lyrical in a manner so deeply authentic to the story it is impossible to put down. Well-constructed family dynamics are cleverly revealed through the sparse writing, but it is the authentic coming-of-age portrayal of protagonists Grace and Crux that is the selling point of the story. They are adorable and delightful and almost too good to be real, yet still inherently teen in their worldviews. This book is a gorgeous exploration of art and creativity from the perspective of central characters who are searching to discover meaning and purpose through both, opening thoughtful, original discussion around street art and the meaning of music that is highly suitable for the readership”.

The book reads: “InkFlower, a gritty YA novel about family secrets, hope and healing. Based on a true story.

Lisa’s father has six months to live. And a story to tell about a boy sent to Auschwitz. A boy who lost everything and started again. A story he has kept hidden – until now.

But Lisa doesn’t want to hear it, because she has secrets too. No one at school knows she is Jewish or that her dad is sick. Not even her boyfriend.

But that’s all about to change. And so is she”.

What the CBCA judges said…

“The dual timeline narrative is deftly handed by the author, using simple chapter headings to clearly delineate Emil’s experience as a young boy sent to Auschwitz and his teenage daughter Lisa’s life in the 1980s in Australia. The two timelines work together to explore themes of survival, secrets, and the transformative power of truth and storytelling. The historical setting is brought to life with incredibly vivid descriptions – the horror and violence of the Holocaust is balanced with small acts of kindness and a heartbreaking hyperfocus on food. The characterisation of Lisa felt authentic and relatable – her response to her father’s story and diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease was to initially turn away from her friends and escape into the arms of her boyfriend. This book would appeal to mature readers keen to learn about the Holocaust and take on a devastating, powerful story with the potential to make you cry”.

The book reads: “Maude is the daughter of witches. She spent her childhood running wild with her best friend, Odette, weaving stories of girls who slayed dragons and saved princes. Then Maude grew up and lost her magic—and her best friend.

These days, magic is toothless, reduced to glamour patches and psychic energy drinks found in supermarkets and shopping malls. Odette has always hungered for forbidden, dangerous magic, and two weeks ago she went searching for it. Now she’s missing, and everyone says she’s dead. Everyone except Maude.

Storytelling has always been Maude’s gift, so she knows all about girls who get lost in the woods. She’s sure she can find Odette inside the ruins of Sicklehurst, an abandoned power plant built over an ancient magical forest—a place nobody else seems to remember is there. The danger is, no one knows what remains inside Sicklehurst, either. And every good story is sure to have a monster”.

What the CBCA judges said…

“This darkly atmospheric book draws the reader into a metaphorical exploration of the challenges of living in a highly industrialised world, told through the lens of an interrogation of female power and persecution in the historical and contemporary context. While utilising a magical realism setting to present highly contemporary themes, the clearly drawn characters allow the reader a deep understanding of the psyche of young people, and the novel is firmly grounded in family and peer group dynamics. Though building on the recognisable young adult trope of the “strong female protagonist”, Wilkinson has cleverly subverted this tradition through world-building and interesting characterisation, making this immersive story a powerful and original novel for the upper end of the readership”.

The book reads: “Ella and I have been best friends since grade one. We can spend hours talking about everything and nothing. We know each other’s greatest fears, things that irrationally annoy us, and an ideal career if money and skill weren’t an issue. If there was only one Hartford Bakery brownie left in the whole world and it was somehow in my possession, Ella is the only person I’d consider sharing it with.

Life is pretty good for 16-year-old Abby. Okay, her grandma doesn’t remember things anymore, her relationship with her mum is increasingly strained and she accidentally kissed her cousin’s cousin on the weekend, so things aren’t exactly perfect. But everything is manageable with her best friend, Ella, by her side.

And with Ella’s brother, Will, interesting and attentive, on the sidelines.

When new girl Chloe arrives, Abby is pleased to be the one to show her around, to welcome her to the group. But Abby doesn’t imagine Chloe fitting in so well or quite so quickly. And before long Abby is feeling just a little left out, a little unsure of Ella’s friendship. In a moment of anger and confusion she wishes something bad would happen.

When it does—with tragic consequences—everything shifts again. And Abby must face her own feelings and work out what friendship really means”.

What the CBCA judges said…

“A highly readable coming-of-age debut novel that captures some of the traditional hardships teens experience. The narrative follows the central character Abby, over a year as she navigates change and her own insecurities. Told in a modern diary-esque style, the novel explores the challenges of relationships and dealing with tragedy and loss. The themes of friendship and growing up are conveyed in a realistic and relatable manner through the character’s relationships; and family plays a central part of the story, exploring intergenerational connections and sibling dynamics. The use of humour to balance out some of the serious themes, makes it a compelling read with a lot of warmth that will resonate with a broad young adult readership”.

YOUNGER READERS – 7-12 YEARS

WINNER 2024 YOUNGER READERS AND
SHADOW JUDGING WINNER 2024 YOUNGER READERS

The book reads: A missing father. A drowned town. A buried secret. Three friends on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth.

Seven years after Old Scarborough was drowned, a house is emerging from the water. Will and his friends Dar and Juno dare each other to explore it.

But when they find bones – and a stash of cash – they realise they’re not the only ones interested in its secrets.

Now they’re fighting for their lives against the men who want what they found. Will can’t leave the mystery alone, though. What if the bones belong to his missing dad?

What the CBCA judges said…

This book tells a classic story in a thrilling and accessible way for readers aged 10-14. It commands the reader’s attention from its enthralling beginning, throughout an action-packed plot development and a dramatic conclusion. The setting of the drowned town is evocatively described, creating a foreboding mood that enhances the plot of the novel. The young protagonists are well-developed and have authentic responses to events, while the flaws of the adult characters are realistic, allowing readers to explore and extend their thinking about difficult relationships and situations. The mystery and thriller conventions are expertly balanced with Will’s character development as he navigates loss, criminal activity, corruption, and loyalty to family and friends.

What the CBCA judges said…

“A layered and engaging novel that captivates the reader from its intriguing prologue through to its positive, heartwarming conclusion. Centred on Lebanese Australians, Akeal and his younger sister Huda, it is a fast-paced, stand-alone sequel, told from the perspective of Akeal, through clearly labelled dual narratives. Huda’s strong-willed determination respectively combines with Akeal’s sensitive loyalty to deliver wondrous episodes of suspense, humour and misbehaviour, revealing their love for each other and for their family. This novel creatively and simultaneously explores multicultural Australia, family life, corruption, community, hardship and determination in the context of living as part of a minority group. Humour pervades this delightful story, lifting it to deliver a relatable, skilfully crafted, age-appropriate and engaging mystery adventure”.

What the CBCA judges said…

“This book blends the best features of graphic novels and conventional narrative and has multiple entry points, making it one of the most accessible novels for younger readers. It is very well put together with strong characterisation, backed by hilarious illustrations. The design is less constrained than that of a graphic novel, and the language shows a similar quality approach. The action keeps coming, even though it appears the real pigeons are just flapping about and fighting crime. Disguised as light-hearted and silly fun, this book offers deep themes such as sticking together, good /evil, and selflessness. The illustrations are cleverly crafted and integrated with the text adding much meaning and context to the plot”.

Student ID Cards

A reminder to all students that your Compass Student ID card is also your library card. Please bring your student ID card to the library when you would like to borrow.

Library Opening Hours

Make your way up to S3 on the Southern level!

Monday - Thursday
9.30am-2.30pm.

The library is open at recess and lunchtime.

Niamh McPhelimy

Library Manager

College Production Update

Alice in Wonderland - Tickets Now on Sale!