Library News, Book of the Year 2024

The Children's Book Council of Australia has announced the shortlist of contenders for Book of the Year for 2024.  There are 6 finalists in the older readers (13-18 years old) category.

This fantasy novel by Lili Wilkinson which looks at themes of industrialisation through a magical realism lens, has already been selected as a winner at the 2024 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards.  The NZ Review described this book as: "Completely entrancing. I have never read anything like this book. It's full of magic - the real thing."

Grace Notes by Karen Comer looks at two young artists restrained from expressing themselves by their parents.  Grace is a musician who wants to explore contemporary music and James is a budding street artist forbidden from painting in public.  The Syndey Arts Guide called Grace Notes: "a compelling rallying cry for the pursuit of passion, of perseverance in the face of adversity, and the essential work of artists."

Inkflower, written by Suzy Zail, follows two timelines.  A holocaust story and a narrative about a teenager living in 1980s Australia are combined to look at issues of secrecy and storytelling in a family setting.  Jayne Josem, the CEO of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum says Inkflower is a: "story of love, loss and hope that will both challenge and inspire."

Let's Never Speak of This Again by Megan Williams is a book about friendship.  The bond between two sixteen-year-old girls is tested when a new person joins them and changes the nature of their relationship.  The Children's Book Council of Australia describes the novel as: "An authentic, gorgeously written story...A bittersweet eulogy to growing older, people changing, friendships growing and breaking apart...This is not a book you'll be able to say goodbye to easily."

Helena Fox's The Quiet and the Loud has attracted plenty of attention and made a number of awards lists.  This book is packed full of themes, issues of climate change, trauma, addiction, love, truth and more are explored in this coming-of-age story.  Fellow author Kathleen Glasgow hails Fox as: "A writer to be reckoned with."

An Asian-Australian relationship story written through the premise of a video-game contest, Two Can Play at the Game is a debut novel by Leanne Young.  It is described as gleefully nerdy but still approachable for readers who are not gamers. The NZ Review cites this novel as: 'A joyful and fun addition to the growing Asian-Australian Own Voices YA movement.

These nominees are either currently available in the school library or will be shortly!