Children's Book Award

Thunderhead

Sophie Beer (Allen & Unwin)

Judges' comments: 

Music-obsessed Thunderhead is navigating starting high school by blogging under a pseudonym, drawing and creating playlists. But how can these distractions help when faced with permanent hearing loss? Resonant with illustrations and a fresh and modern epistolary format, Beer’s original use of literary and figurative stratagems creates a deeply moving and laugh-out-loud account about learning how to be yourself when also overcoming loss and adversity.

Little Bones (Winner)

Sandy Bigna (University Queensland Press)

Judges' comments: 

Bones has been hollow since losing those closest to her. She takes solace from a collection filled with dead animals. But when a skeleton comes alive, it sparks a redemptive journey and leads Bone’s back to life. Astounding, unusual, mesmerising, Bigna’s word-perfect debut verse novel unfurls the desolation of childhood grief and the healing power of love and friendship with magical prose and touching ingenuity. 

Spirit of the Crocodile

Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White (Allen & Unwin)

Judges' comments: 

Twelve-year-old Ezra loves a dare, his family and his life on Saibai. But he must face the expectations that come with growing up when a not-so-natural disaster threatens his home. Set against the rising tide of climate change, this heartfelt coming-of-age story offers a welcoming glimpse into life on the Torres Strait Islands, including culture, community resilience, and the deep sense of responsibility for Country. 

All the Beautiful Things 

Katrina Nannestad (HarperCollins Publishers)

Judges' comments:

Anna’s little sister, Eva, doesn’t fit Hitler’s ideal of a strong, pure child, but Anna will do anything to protect her sister. Set in 1940s Germany, this suspenseful war novel asks children to think about right and wrong and the power of love and friendship. Nannestad’s meticulous research and masterful storytelling conveys the hopeful message that, even in the darkest of times, beauty can always be found. 

Summer of Shipwrecks

Shivaun Plozza (University of Queensland Press)

Judges' comments:

A quintessentially Australian coming-of-age novel with a huge heart. Sid’s annual beach holiday is a mess when her mum’s new partner tags along and her best friend, Lou, decides she’s no longer interested in childish seaside treasure-hunting. This multi-layered story brims with resonant observations on family, changing friendships and the courage to be true to yourself.