Longlist 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
The aim of this award is to increase the understanding and appreciation of history by children. These seven titles are outstanding works of historical fiction for children, demonstrating literary merit, historical accuracy, and appeal to young readers. Topics range widely but
Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most beloved and awarded authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15. One of the
The Lost Book of Magic
By Amelia Mellor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia's debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne's real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history and fantasy and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She
All the Beautiful Things
By Katrina Nannestad with illustrations by Martina Heiducek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katrina Nannestad is one of Australia's foremost writers of children's historical fiction. She has won the Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction twice with We Are Wolves, 2021 and Waiting
Marion and the Forty Thieves
By Sarah Luke Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah is a historian and writer who writes non-fiction histories for adults and historical fiction for children. Marion and the Forty Thieves is her first middle grade novel and introduces the reader to life on
2024 ARA HISTORICAL NOVEL PRIZE CYA LONGLISTS ANNOUNCED!
CYA LONGLIST The longlisted titles for the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize – Children and Young Adult Category are: Secret Sparrowby Jackie French (HarperCollins Publishers) The Detective’s Guide to Paris by Nicki Greenberg (Affirm Press) Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim (Allen & Unwin) Spies
Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age (The Girls Who Changed the World #4)
By Jackie French Reviewed by Jamie Willis Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most popular authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children's Laureate for 2014/15 and the 2015 Senior Australian
Jack’s Island
By Norman Jorgensen Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jack’s Island is an award-winning book by Norman Jorgensen, which was first released in 2008, and has been re-released with a very appealing new cover. The story begins with Jack and his family travelling by
Rebecca Lim wins the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
Congratulations to Rebecca Lim, winner of the 2024 Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction for her middle grade novel Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky, Allen & Unwin Children, 2023. Judges' Comments: Set in the fifties, this compelling historical novel reveals
The Dragon’s Treasure and The Vanishing
By Mark Greenwood Reviewed by Sandy Driessens On a summer morning in 1931, four children on a remote beach in Western Australia, discovered ancient coins buried, like treasure in the sand. It ignited a treasure hunt that uncovered silver coins, hidden chests
Meet Rebecca Lim, author of Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky – Book Links 2024 Children’s Historical Fiction award shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children, 2023. The Fortune Maker by Catherine Norton, Harper Collins, 2023. Inkflower by Suzy Zail, Walker Books,
Meet Catherine Norton, author of The Fortune Maker – Book Links 2024 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children, 2023. The Fortune Maker by Catherine Norton, Harper Collins, 2023. Inkflower by Suzy Zail, Walker Books,
Meet Suzy Zail, author of Inkflower – Book Links 2024 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children, 2023. The Fortune Maker by Catherine Norton, Harper Collins, 2023. Inkflower by Suzy Zail, Walker
Shortlist of the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
It is with great pleasure that we announce the shortlisted titles for this year's Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. These three titles are outstanding for their perceptive writing, immediate appeal, and the sensitive way they present complex issues
Inkflower
By Suzy Zail Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Suzy Zail used to be a lawyer but quit to become a writer. Her books include The Tattooed Flower, The Wrong Boy, and Alexander Altman A10567 - all stories based on or inspired by her
2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction: Longlist announced
Book Links The Centre for Children's Literature proudly announces the longlist for the 2024 Award for Children's Historical Fiction. The aim of the award is to increase the understanding and appreciation of history by children. These seven titles are outstanding works
Secret Sparrow
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I have lost count of the number of books Jackie has written. She has been a constant source of inspiring and uplifting historical fiction my whole career and her interest and passion for history never
Silver Linings
By Katrina Nannestad Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, beloved best-selling author of twenty-three novels for children, brings early 1950s regional New South Wales (with its hopes for a brighter postwar future embodied in Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming coronation) to life in her
Ming and Hilde Lead a Revolution #3 The Girls Who Changed the World
By Jackie French Reviewed by Helen Gearing Good historical fiction helps readers answer questions they didn’t know they had, and in her latest middle-grade novel, Ming and Hilde Lead a Revolution, Australian storytelling great Jackie French AM turns her attention to how
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose: Enola Holmes 9
By Nancy Springer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nancy Springer is the author of the popular Enola Holmes novels as well as more than 50 other books for children and adults. Several of the Enola Holmes stories have been made into popular films
The Fortune Maker
By Catherine Norton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Norton made her debut in children's fiction writing the acclaimed Crossing which was joint winner of the Patricia Wrightson's prize in the 2015 NSW Premier's Literary Awards. In The Fortune Maker she has written a taut
Meet Katrina Nannestad: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby Interned, and Claire Saxby - The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly
Meet Felice Arena: Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks; Pamela Rushby : Interned; Claire Saxby : The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly agreed to answer a few questions about writing
Meet Claire Saxby: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby : Interned, Claire Saxby : The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly agreed to answer
Evie and Rhino
By Neridah McMullin Illustrated by Astred Hicks Reviewed by Helen Gearing Evie and Rhino is historical fiction at its finest – immersive in its worldbuilding without ever neglecting plot and character – and is perfect for readers aged nine years and older
Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Short List
The Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction is for books with an implied readership up to the age of fourteen. Books may be fiction, graphic novels or illustrated fiction that fit the genre of historical fiction. The Judges assessed each entry
This Old Thing
By Cassandra Webb Illustrated by Tony Flowers Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Cassandra Webb has teamed up with the wonderful illustrator Tony Flowers to create This Old Thing, a poignant historical picture book. We follow a young boy as he searches his house
The Great Gallipoli Escape
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nipper lies about his age to join the army and do his bit for King and Country. He and his mates are in Gallipoli having a cricket match with the Turks during a brief ceasefire
Ming and Marie: Spy for Freedom
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Former Australian Children’s Laureate, Jackie French is a fundamental figure when it comes to children’s literature within Australia. Whether she is writing her Diary of a Wombat picture books or critically acclaimed middle-grade novels, there
Lies We Sing to the Sea
By Sarah Underwood Reviewed by Jane Swinton Sarah Underwood has created an epic, complex story steeped in Greek Mythology. There is a content warning on the front-page alerting readers to violence, graphic injury, non-graphic sexual assault, death and suicide. In this story the
