Pamela Rushby talks about writing historical fiction
The best, the strangest, the most riveting, heart-breaking, laugh-out-loud stories aren’t fiction. They’re real. Pam Rushby is an award winning Queensland writer who has worked as an advertising copywriter, a publicity officer and a pre-school teacher, as well as writing and
Katrina Nannestad talks about writing historical fiction
A well-written historical novel brings history alive and inspires young readers to ponder big issues - peace, justice, kindness and tolerance, to name just a few. Katrina Nannestad is an award winning Australian writer of distinctive middle grade fiction. This year
Claire Saxby talks about writing historical fiction
I let the facts sit on my shoulder as I insert my fictional characters. The facts give me a framework, the fiction fills the spaces between. Claire Saxby is a an Australian author of fiction, non fiction and poetry for children.
2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize shortlist CYA category
The Shortlist for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize – Children and Young Adult (CYA) Category is: The Grandest Bookshop in the World, by Amelia Mellor (Affirm Press) We are Wolves, by Katrina Nannestad (HarperCollins Australia) The Mummy Smugglers of
The Forest of Moon and Sword
By Amy Raphael Illustrated by August Ro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Amy Raphael is a freelance journalist and a non-fiction book writer and The Forest of Moon and Sword is her first children’s novel. Set in 1647 at the height of the British witch
Night Ride into Danger
Written by Jackie French. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Stories that speak to her ancestry and personal history have inspired another engaging historical fiction from the prolific Jackie French. The night run of the Cobb and Co mail coach to Goulburn was a gruelling,
Heroes of the Secret Underground
By Susanne Gervay Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Susanne Gervay, acclaimed Australian author of the I Am Jack series, along with various picture books and standalone novels, has written a powerful and moving middle grade novel inspired by her family's experiences in Nazi-occupied
The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle
By Pamela Rushby Illustrated by Nellé May Pierce, Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd With an appealing main character, sinister baddies and a touch of magic, prolific Australian author Pamela Rushby's delightful new middle grade novel is one confident readers can really sink their teeth
The Cow That Swam Out To Sea
By Pamela Rushby Illustrated by Nicola Hooper Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and coordinated by
New Award in Australian Children’s Literature!
Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Book Links, the Centre for Children’s Literature in Queensland is very excited to announce a new biennial award in Australian children’s literature for historical fiction. A prize of $1000 will be awarded to a book
Salt to the Sea
by Ruta Sepetys reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Ruta Sepetys is the award winning author of “Between Shades of Grey”. In “Salt to the Sea”, published in 2016 she presents a fictional account of one of the worst disasters in maritime history, the torpedoing
When We Were Warriors
by Emma Carroll reviewed by Sarah Custance If you want a well written middle-grade historical fiction then Emma Carroll has proven herself to be the perfect choice. ‘When We Were Warriors’ is Carroll’s ninth novel and is living up to its predecessor’s
52 Mondays
by Anna Ciddor reviewed by Zewlan Moor Longing for Milly-Molly-Mandy for older readers? This is the book for you! Inspired by the author’s childhood 52 Mondays is a collection of short gentle vignettes with a narrative arc, tracing young Anna Lewison’s quest for
The Time Travel Diaries
by Caroline Lawrence reviewed by Sarah Custance Caroline Lawrence is the author of the award winning ‘Roman Mysteries’ series, first published in 2001 and since translated into 14 different languages. Lawrence loves delving deep into history for her novels and tries to
The Button War
Written by Avi Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Button War by the American writer and Newbery medalist Avi is is a biting indictment of the damage suffered by civilians during wartime. The story is set in a remote Polish village during World
Secrets of a Sun King
by Emma Carroll reviewed by Tyrion Perkins The cover immediately attracted me: children on camels in front of the Nile and desert, with a pharaoh on the back, set up the expectation of mystery, travel, and adventure. Secrets of a Sun King
Sweet Adversity
by Sheryl Gwyther Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Sweet Adversity is a historical fiction novel for children aged 10+. It is refreshing to see a story set in Depression-era Australia that centres around a strong-willed protagonist reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables. Not
