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Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers facts for kids

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Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers
Presented by Children's Book Council of Australia
Country Australia
First awarded 1946

The Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers has been presented annually since 1946 by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). Note: from 1946 to 1986 this award was known as "Book of the Year".

The Award "will be made to outstanding books of fiction, drama, or poetry which require of the reader a degree of maturity to appreciate the topics, themes and scope of emotional involvement. Generally, books in this category will be appropriate in style and content for readers in their secondary years of schooling."

Award winners

1940s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1946 Rees, LeslieLeslie Rees, illustrated by Walter Cunningham Story of Karrawingi the Emu, TheThe Story of Karrawingi the Emu John Sands
1947 No award
1948 Hurley, FrankFrank Hurley Shackleton's Argonauts: A Saga of the Antarctic Icepacks Angus and Robertson
1949 No competition

1950s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1950 Villiers, Alan J.Alan J. Villiers, illustrated by Charles Pont Whalers of the Midnight Sun Angus and Robertson
1951 Williams, Ruth C.Ruth C. Williams, illustrated by Rhys Williams Verity of Sydney Town Angus and Robertson
1952 Pownall, EveEve Pownall, illustrated by Margaret Senior Australia Book, TheThe Australia Book John Sands
1953 Phipson, JoanJoan Phipson, illustrated by Margaret Horder Good Luck to the Rider Angus and Robertson
1953 Martin, James H.James H. Martin and W. D. Martin Aircraft of Today and Tomorrow Angus and Robertson
1954 Parker, K. LanglohK. Langloh Parker, edited by Henrietta Drake-Brockman, illustrated by Elizabeth Durack Australian Legendary Tales Angus and Robertson
1955 Tindale, Norman B.Norman B. Tindale and Harold Arthur Lindsay, illustrated by Madeleine Boyce First Walkabout, TheThe First Walkabout Longmans Green
1956 Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson, illustrated by Margaret Horder Crooked Snake, TheThe Crooked Snake Angus and Robertson
1957 Heddle, Enid MoodieEnid Moodie Heddle (ed.), illustrated by Nancy Parker Boomerang Book of Legendary Tales, TheThe Boomerang Book of Legendary Tales Longmans Green
1958 Chauncy, NanNan Chauncy Tiger in the Bush Oxford University Press
1959 Chauncy, NanNan Chauncy, illustrated by Geraldine Spence Devil's Hill Oxford University Press
Gunn, JohnJohn Gunn, illustrated by Brian Keogh Sea Menace Constable

1960s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1960 Tennant, KylieKylie Tennant, illustrated by Clem Seale All the Proud Tribesmen Macmillan
1961 Chauncy, NanNan Chauncy, illustrated by Brian Wildsmith Tangara Oxford University Press
1962 Woodberry, JoanJoan Woodberry Rafferty Rides a Winner M. Parrish, London
Evers, L. H.L. H. Evers Racketty Street Gang, TheThe Racketty Street Gang Hodder & Stoughton
1963 Phipson, JoanJoan Phipson, illustrated by Margaret Horder Family Conspiracy, TheThe Family Conspiracy Constable
1964 Spence, EleanorEleanor Spence, illustrated by Geraldine Spence Green Laurel, TheThe Green Laurel Oxford University Press
1965 Brinsmead, H. F.H. F. Brinsmead, illustrated by Annette Macarthur-Onslow Pastures of the Blue Crane Oxford University Press
1966 Southall, IvanIvan Southall, illustrated by Clem Seale Ash Road Angus and Robertson
1967 Clark, Mavis ThorpeMavis Thorpe Clark, illustrated by Genevieve Melrose Min-Min, TheThe Min-Min Lansdowne Press
1968 Southall, IvanIvan Southall, illustrated by Jennifer Tuckwell To the Wild Sky Angus and Robertson
1969 Balderson, MargaretMargaret Balderson, illustrated by Victor G. Ambrus When Jays Fly to Barbmo Oxford University Press

1970s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1970 Macarthur-Onslow, AnnetteAnnette Macarthur-Onslow Uhu Ure Smith
1971 Southall, IvanIvan Southall Bread and Honey Angus and Robertson
1972 Brinsmead, H. F.H. F. Brinsmead Longtime Passing Angus and Robertson
1973 Shelley, NoreenNoreen Shelley, illustrated by Robert Micklewright Family at the Lookout Oxford University Press
1974 Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson Nargun and the Stars, TheThe Nargun and the Stars Hutchinson
1975 No award
1976 Southall, IvanIvan Southall Fly West Angus and Robertson
1977 Spence, EleanorEleanor Spence, illustrated by Malcolm Green October Child, TheThe October Child Oxford University Press
1978 Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson Ice is Coming, TheThe Ice is Coming Hutchinson
1979 Manley, RuthRuth Manley, illustrated by Marianne Yamaguchi Plum-Rain Scroll, TheThe Plum-Rain Scroll Hodder and Stoughton

1980s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1980 Harding, LeeLee Harding Displaced Person Hyland House
1981 Park, RuthRuth Park Playing Beatie Bow Nelson Books
1982 Thiele, ColinColin Thiele Valley Between, TheThe Valley Between Opal Books
1983 Kelleher, VictorVictor Kelleher Master of the Grove Kestrel Books
1984 Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson Little Fear, AA Little Fear Hutchinson
1985 Aldridge, JamesJames Aldridge True Story of Lilli Stubeck, TheThe True Story of Lilli Stubeck Hyland House
1986 Fowler, ThurleyThurley Fowler Green Wind, TheThe Green Wind Rigby
1987 French, SimonSimon French All We Know Angus and Robertson
1988 Marsden, JohnJohn Marsden So Much to Tell You Joy Street Books
1989 Rubinstein, GillianGillian Rubinstein Beyond the Labyrinth Hyland House

1990s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1990 Klein, RobinRobin Klein Came Back to Show You I Could Fly Viking Books
1991 Crew, GaryGary Crew Strange Objects Heinemann
1992 Nilsson, EleanorEleanor Nilsson House Guest, TheThe House Guest Viking Books
1993 Marchetta, MelinaMelina Marchetta Looking for Alibrandi Puffin Books
1994 Carmody, IsobelleIsobelle Carmody Gathering, TheThe Gathering Penguin Books
Crew, GaryGary Crew Angel's Gate Heinemann
1995 Rubinstein, GillianGillian Rubinstein Foxspell Hyland House
1996 Jinks, CatherineCatherine Jinks Pagan's Vows Omnibus Books
1997 Moloney, JamesJames Moloney Bridge to Wiseman's Cove, AA Bridge to Wiseman's Cove University of Queensland Press
1998 Jinks, CatherineCatherine Jinks Eye to Eye Puffin Books
1999 Gwynne, PhillipPhillip Gwynne Deadly, Unna? Penguin Books

2000s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref
2000 Earls, NickNick Earls 48 Shades of Brown Penguin Books
2001 Clarke, JudithJudith Clarke Wolf on the Fold Allen and Unwin
2002 Hartnett, SonyaSonya Hartnett Forest Viking Books
2003 Zusak, MarkusMarkus Zusak Messenger , TheThe Messenger Macmillan Publishers
2004 Marchetta, MelinaMelina Marchetta Saving Francesca Viking Books
2005 Bauer, Michael GerardMichael Gerard Bauer Running Man, TheThe Running Man Omnibus Books
2006 Burke, J. C.J. C. Burke Story of Tom Brennan, TheThe Story of Tom Brennan Random House
2007 Lanagan, MargoMargo Lanagan Red Spikes Allen and Unwin
2008 Hartnett, SonyaSonya Hartnett Ghost's Child, TheThe Ghost's Child Viking Books
2009 Tan, ShaunShaun Tan Tales from Outer Suburbia Allen and Unwin

2010s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
2010 Metzenthen, DavidDavid Metzenthen Jarvis 24 Penguin Group
2011 Hartnett, SonyaSonya Hartnett Midnight Zoo, TheThe Midnight Zoo Viking Books
2012 Gardner, ScotScot Gardner Dead I Know, TheThe Dead I Know Allen & Unwin
2013 Lanagan, MargoMargo Lanagan Sea Hearts Allen & Unwin
2014 Wood, FionaFiona Wood Wildlife Pan MacMillan
2015 Zorn, ClaireClaire Zorn Protected, TheThe Protected University of Queensland Press
2016 Wood, FionaFiona Wood Cloudwish Macmillan Australia
2017 Zorn, ClaireClaire Zorn One Would Think the Deep University of Queensland Press
2018 Crowley, CathCath Crowley, Fiona Wood, and Simmone Howell Take Three Girls Pan Macmillan
2019 Atkins, ClareClare Atkins Between Us Black Inc.

2020s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
2020 Wakefield, VikkiVikki Wakefield This Is How We Change the Ending Text Publishing
2021 Bell, DavinaDavina Bell End of the World is Bigger than Love, TheThe End of the World is Bigger than Love Text Publishing
2022 Lim, RebeccaRebecca Lim Tiger Daughter Allen & Unwin
2023 Taylor, TomTom Taylor Neverlanders Penguin Random House

Commended books

1940s

Year Author Title Publisher
1948 Basser, VeronicaVeronica Basser Ponny the Penguin Australasian Publishing Co.
Jackson, AdaAda Jackson Beetles A'Hoy! Paterson's Press
Martin, James H.James H. Martin and W. D. Martin Australian Book of Trains, TheThe Australian Book of Trains Angus and Robertson
Morell, MusetteMusette Morell Bush Cobbers Australasian Publishing Co.
Rees, LeslieLeslie Rees Story of Shadow, the Rock Wallaby, TheThe Story of Shadow, the Rock Wallaby John Sands

1950s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1959 Mitchell, ElyneElyne Mitchell Silver Brumby, TheThe Silver Brumby Hutchinson
Norton, FrankFrank Norton Australian and New Zealand Ships of Today Angus and Robertson
Pownall, EveEve Pownall Exploring Australia Methuen
Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson Bunyip Hole, TheThe Bunyip Hole Angus and Robertson

1960s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1960 Collins, DaleDale Collins Anzac Adventure Angus and Robertson
Spence, EleanorEleanor Spence Summer in Between, TheThe Summer in Between Oxford University Press
Tindale, Norman BarnettNorman Barnett Tindale and H. A. Lindsay Rangatira Rigby
1961 Aldous, AlanAlan Aldous Doctor With Wings Brockhampton
Mitchell, ElyneElyne Mitchell Silver Brumby's Daughter Hutchinson
Spence, EleanorEleanor Spence Lillipilly Hill Oxford University Press
1962 Park, RuthRuth Park Hole in the Hill, TheThe Hole in the Hill Ure Smith
Roland, BettyBetty Roland Forbidden Bridge, TheThe Forbidden Bridge Bodley Head
Thiele, ColinColin Thiele Sun on the Stubble Rigby
1964 Chauncy, NanNan Chauncy Roaring 40, TheThe Roaring 40 Oxford University Press
Phipson, JoanJoan Phipson Threat to the Barkers Angus and Robertson
Thiele, ColinColin Thiele Storm Boy Rigby
1965 Chauncy, NanNan Chauncy High and Haunted Island Oxford University Press
Durack, MaryMary Durack Courteous Savage, TheThe Courteous Savage Nelson
Mass, NuriNuri Mass Wonderland of Nature, TheThe Wonderland of Nature Writers' Press
Mitchell, ElyneElyne Mitchell Winged Skis Hutchinson
Odell, CarolCarol Odell Day at the Zoo, AA Day at the Zoo Angus and Robertson
Roland, BettyBetty Roland Jamie's Summer Visitor Bodley Head
1966 Ottley, ReginaldReginald Ottley By the Sandhills of Yamboorah Deutsch
Southall, IvanIvan Southall Indonesian Journey Lansdowne Press
Spence, EleanorEleanor Spence Year of the Currawong, TheThe Year of the Currawong Oxford University Press
Thiele, ColinColin Thiele February Dragon Rigby
1967 Fatchen, MaxMax Fatchen River Kings, TheThe River Kings Hicks Smith
Ottley, ReginaldReginald Ottley Roan Colt of Yamboorah, TheThe Roan Colt of Yamboorah Deutsch
Syred, CeliaCelia Syred Cocky's Castle Angus and Robertson
1968 Brinsmead, H. F.H. F. Brinsmead Sapphire for September, AA Sapphire for September Oxford University Press
Chauncy, NanNan Chauncy Mathinna's People Oxford University Press
Clark, Mavis ThorpeMavis Thorpe Clark Blue Above the Trees Lansdowne
Southall, IvanIvan Southall Fox Hole, TheThe Fox Hole Hicks Smith
Stow, RandolphRandolph Stow Midnite F. W. Cheshire
1969 Finkel, GeorgeGeorge Finkel Loyall Virginian, TheThe Loyall Virginian Angus and Robertson
Goode, JohnJohn Goode Wood, Wire and Fabric Lansdowne
Pollard, JackJack Pollard Cricket the Australian Way Lansdowne
Shaw, RobertRobert Shaw Wandjina: Children of the Dream Time Jacaranda
Southall, IvanIvan Southall Let the Balloon Go Methuen Hicks Smith
Wallace, Phil and NoelPhil and Noel Wallace Children of the Desert Nelson
Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson I Own the Racecourse Hutchinson

1970s

Year Author Title Publisher Ref.
1970 Hill, DiedreDiedre Hill Over the Bridge Hutchinson
O'Dea, MarjoryMarjory O'Dea Six Days Between a Second Heinemann
Ottley, ReginaldReginald Ottley Bates Family, TheThe Bates Family Collins
Smith, P. W.P. W. Smith Ombley-Gombley Angus and Robertson
Southall, IvanIvan Southall Finn's Folly Angus and Robertson
Thiele, ColinColin Thiele Blue Fin Rigby
1971 Finkel, GeorgeGeorge Finkel James Cook, Royal Navy Angus and Robertson
Lo, Hui-minHui-min Lo Story of China, TheThe Story of China Angus and Robertson
Norman, LilithLilith Norman Climb a Lonely Hill Collins
1972 Martin, DavidDavid Martin Hughie Nelson
Mattingley, ChristobelChristobel Mattingley Windmill at Magpie Creek, TheThe Windmill at Magpie Creek Brockhampton Press
1973 Hooper, MeredithMeredith Hooper Everyday Inventions Hutchinson
Wrightson, PatriciaPatricia Wrightson Older Kind of Magic, AnAn Older Kind of Magic Angus and Robertson

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