Category Archives: Australian Authors

Fiona McCallum – Author of the month

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You are invited to Parramatta Library on  Monday 10th September 2012 1pm – 2pm to hear Fiona McCallum talk about her latest book, Wattle Creek, one of the Get Reading books you can’t put down.

Fiona writes “heart-warming journey of self-discovery stories”. Her first novel Paycheque was released on April 1 2011 and became an ‘instant bestseller’. Her second novel Nowhere Else (released on Dec 1 2011) was an even bigger hit, outselling Paycheque by early January 2012. Fiona’s third novel, Wattle Creek, was released April 1 2012.

The bestselling Australian author of Paycheque and Nowhere Else returns with a story of dreams, expectations and endurance. Continue reading →

2012 Kibble and Dobbie winners announced

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The winners of this year’s Kibble and Dobbie Literacy Awards have been announced.

The winner of the Nita B Kibble Literacy Award which recognises the work of an established Australian female writer is Five bells by Gail Jones.

On a radiant day in Sydney, four adults converge on Circular Quay, site of the iconic Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Crowds of tourists mix with the locals, enjoying the glorious surroundings and the play of light on water. But each of the four carries a complicated history from elsewhere; each is haunted by past intimacies. (Summary from NoveList Plus)

 

The winner of the Dobbie Encouragement Award which recognises the work of a first published Australian female writer is Past the shallows by Favel Parrett.

Abstract: Harry and Miles live with their father, an abalone fisherman, on the south-east coast of Tasmania. With their mum dead, they are left to look after themselves. When Miles isn’t helping out on the boat they explore the coast and Miles and his older brother, Joe, loves to surf. Harry is afraid of the water.

 

 

Prime Minister’s Literacy Awards 2012 winner announced

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Arts Minister Simon Crean today announced the winners of the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards-

Australian writers who write books about Australia.

Fiction winner –Foal’s Bread by Gillian Mears

Poetry winner –Interferon Psalms by Luke Davies

Non-fiction winner –An Eye for Eternity: The Life of ManningClark by Mark McKenna

 Prize forAustralian History –The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aboriginies Made Australia by Bill Gammage

 Young Adult fiction winner – When We Were Two by Robert Newton

Children’s fiction winner –Goodnight, Mice!, written by Frances Watts and illustrated by Judy Watson  

 

 

Jasper Jones – a book review

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Title: Jasper Jones

Author: Craig Silvey

Jenny’s pick

On a sweltering summer night in an Australian country town, 13 year old Charlie Bucktin is startled by a knock on his bedroom window. Jasper Jones is the outcast of the town who desperately needs Charlie’s help. Charlie barely knows Jasper, but trusts him enough to climb out into the night and follow Jasper deep into the bush. What he finds is shocking and alarming, but what Jasper asks Charlie to help him do will put a brick in Charlie’s stomach that will not shift. Continue reading →