The Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers is a special prize given every year in Australia. It celebrates amazing books written for kids who are learning to read on their own. The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has been giving out this award since 1982. For the first few years, from 1982 to 1986, it was called the Junior Book of the Year.
This award looks for excellent books. These can be stories, plays, poems, or concept books. They are chosen for readers who can read by themselves. These books help young readers enjoy literature even more. They are usually perfect for kids in middle to upper primary school.
Award Winners: Celebrating Great Books
The author who has won this award the most times is Emily Rodda. She has won it six times!
Winners from the 1980s
| Year |
Author |
Title |
Publisher |
| 1982 |
Mattingley, ChristobelChristobel Mattingley, illus. Patricia Mullins |
Rummage |
Angus and Robertson |
| 1983 |
Klein, RobinRobin Klein, illus. Alison Lester |
Thing |
Oxford University Press |
| 1984 |
Dann, MaxMax Dann, illus. Ann James |
Bernice Knows Best |
Oxford University Press |
| 1985 |
Rodda, EmilyEmily Rodda, illus. Noela Young |
Something Special |
Angus and Robertson |
| 1986 |
Steele, MaryMary Steele |
Arkwright |
Hyland House |
| 1987 |
Rodda, EmilyEmily Rodda, illus. Noela Young |
Pigs Might Fly |
Angus and Robertson |
| 1988 |
Wheatley, NadiaNadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins |
My Place |
Collins Dove |
| 1989 |
Rodda, EmilyEmily Rodda, illus. Noela Young |
Best-Kept Secret, TheThe Best-Kept Secret |
Angus and Robertson |
Winners from the 1990s
| Year |
Author |
Title |
Publisher |
| 1990 |
Adams, JeanieJeanie Adams |
Pigs and Honey |
Omnibus Books |
| 1991 |
Rodda, EmilyEmily Rodda, illus. Noela Young |
Finders Keepers |
Omnibus Books |
| 1992 |
Fienberg, AnnaAnna Fienberg, illus. Kim Gamble |
Magnificent Nose and Other Marvels, TheThe Magnificent Nose and Other Marvels |
Allen & Unwin |
| 1993 |
Disher, GarryGarry Disher |
Bamboo Flute, TheThe Bamboo Flute |
Angus & Robertson |
| 1994 |
Rodda, EmilyEmily Rodda |
Rowan of Rin |
Omnibus Books |
| 1995 |
Orr, WendyWendy Orr, illus. Kerry Millard |
Ark in the Park |
HarperCollins |
| 1996 |
Moloney, JamesJames Moloney |
Swashbuckler |
University of Queensland Press |
| 1997 |
Gleeson, LibbyLibby Gleeson, illus. Ann James |
Hannah Plus One |
Puffin Books |
| 1998 |
Forrestal, ElaineElaine Forrestal |
Someone Like Me |
Puffin Books |
| 1999 |
McDonald, MemeMeme McDonald and Boori Pryor |
My Girragundji |
Allen & Unwin |
Winners from the 2000s
| Year |
Author |
Title |
Publisher |
| 2000 |
French, JackieJackie French |
Hitler's Daughter |
HarperCollins |
| 2001 |
Kidd, DianaDiana Kidd |
Two Hands Together |
Penguin Books |
| 2002 |
Heffernan, JohnJohn Heffernan, illus. Andrew McLean |
My Dog |
Margaret Hamilton Books |
| 2003 |
Bateson, CatherineCatherine Bateson |
Rain May and Captain Daniel |
University of Queensland Press |
| 2004 |
Wilkinson, CaroleCarole Wilkinson |
Dragonkeeper |
Black Dog Books |
| 2005 |
Hartnett, SonyaSonya Hartnett |
Silver Donkey, TheThe Silver Donkey |
Viking Books |
| 2006 |
Fensham, ElizabethElizabeth Fensham |
Helicopter Man |
Bloomsbury Press |
| 2007 |
Bateson, CatherineCatherine Bateson |
Being Bee |
University of Queensland Press |
| 2008 |
Wilkinson, CaroleCarole Wilkinson |
Dragon Moon |
Black Dog Books |
| 2009 |
Millard, GlendaGlenda Millard, illus. Stephen Michael King |
Perry Angel's Suitcase |
ABC Books |
Winners from the 2010s
| Year |
Author |
Title |
Publisher |
Ref. |
| 2010 |
Hirsch, OdoOdo Hirsch |
Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool |
Allen & Unwin |
|
| 2011 |
Carmody, IsobelleIsobelle Carmody |
Red Wind, TheThe Red Wind |
Viking Books |
|
| 2012 |
Constable, KateKate Constable |
Crow Country |
Allen & Unwin |
|
| 2013 |
Hartnett, SonyaSonya Hartnett |
Children of the King, TheThe Children of the King |
Viking Books |
|
| 2014 |
Jinks, CatherineCatherine Jinks |
City of Orphans: A Very Unusual Pursuit |
Allen & Unwin |
|
| 2015 |
Gleeson, LibbyLibby Gleeson |
Cleo Stories : The Necklace and the Present, TheThe Cleo Stories : The Necklace and the Present |
Allen & Unwin |
|
| 2016 |
Gleitzman, MorrisMorris Gleitzman |
Soon |
Viking Books |
|
| 2017 |
Balla, TraceTrace Balla |
Rockhopping |
Allen & Unwin |
' |
| 2018 |
MacDibble, BrenBren MacDibble |
How to Bee |
Allen & Unwin |
|
| 2019 |
Rodda, EmilyEmily Rodda |
His Name Was Walter |
HarperCollins |
|
Winners from the 2020s
| Year |
Author |
Title |
Publisher |
Ref. |
| 2020 |
Harry, PipPip Harry |
Little Wave, TheThe Little Wave |
University of Queensland Press |
|
| 2021 |
Gordon, KateKate Gordon |
Aster's Good, Right Things |
Riveted Press |
' |
| 2022 |
Marr, ShirleyShirley Marr |
Glasshouse of Stars, AA Glasshouse of Stars |
Puffin |
|
| 2023 |
Silvey, CraigCraig Silvey |
Runt |
Allen & Unwin |
|
| 2024 |
Tristan Bancks |
Scar Town |
Penguin Random House Australia |
|
See also
