Celebrating second 10 years of Book Award winners
Celebrating third 10 years of Book Award winners
2021 BOOK AWARD WINNERS
Books can be ordered HERE
Announcement of the Thirty Fourth Annual Awards (for books published in 2020) can be viewed HERE
2020 BOOK AWARD WINNERS
An annual prize for books published in 2019 in the Older Readers category of the Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature is awarded for:
“Memphis Grace” – by Catriona McKeown (author) published by Rhiza Edge
A hard hitting and at times brutal story about adolescent relationships, the things that can go wrong and learning to stand up for oneself. Viz a viz how morals, determination and finding the right friends can bring to question the negative actions of others and her own violation. Graceland (the female protagonist) becomes the centre of attention and being popular. Initially she embraces this new found status, which ultimately is not what it seemed. A good book for young women who think that being popular is their aspiration. Great book for therapists.
In the Younger Readers/Picture book category of the Australian Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature is awarded for:
“The Thing about Oliver” – by Deborah Kelly – A lovely story about the impact of positive family relationships managing the differences in siblings. One (Tilly) is smart and ambitious, whilst her younger brother (Oliver) is autistic. It is a great expose of how the family as a collective manages the differences and come together as a unit at the end.
BOOKS USEFUL FOR THERAPISTS
The following books tell stories which may enhance therapists’ insight into specific problem areas. The Committee strongly recommends that therapists read these selections critically before deciding whether or not they are appropriate to share with their particular clients. Because of the sensitive nature of some of these books it is important, if they are used, that they be only one tool within an ongoing therapeutic relationship – inclusion in this list does not mean a book is recommended as a self-help book.
Winning Author’s Books are can be ordered from: WOMBAT BOOKS
BOOK FOR OLDER READERS
Invisible Boys – Story depicting struggles in coming to terms with being gay and growing up in a small rural town. Four boys from differing backgrounds are confronting their secrecy without family support. The reality of suicide is evident. This book is both confronting and realistic.
Kindred 12 Queer Love OzYa Stories – What does it mean to be queer? What does it mean to be human? In this powerful #Own Voices collection, twelve of Australia’s finest writers from the LGBTQIA+ community explore the stories of family, friends, lovers and strangers – the connections that form us.
Maddie in the Middle – Maddie finds herself in a situation that escalates and doesn’t seek support to navigate the issues being faced which ultimately leads to negative consequences. Along with peer pressure playing a strong influence in Maddie’s life, the engagement of support services that deliver positive and helpful messages.
Memphis Grace – A hard hitting and at times brutal story about adolescent relationships, the things that can go wrong and learning to stand up for oneself. Viz a viz how morals, determination and finding the right friends can bring to question the negative actions of others and subsequent violation. Graceland (the female protagonist) becomes the centre of attention and being popular. Initially she embraces this new found status, which ultimately is not what it seemed. A good book for young women who think that being popular is their aspiration.
2019 BOOK AWARD WINNER
“The Things we Can’t Undo” by Gabrielle Reid (author) published by Ford Street Publishing.
This story told from many points of view, highlights the themes of sexual assault/rape and consent in regards to16 y.o. Samantha and Dylan. The snowball affect of social media coupled with the invasion of Sam’s privacy and exploitation compounds her existing sense of self and leads to her suicide.
Useful for therapists/teachers/parents/adolescents.
There was no prize awarded to any entrants in the Picture Book and Young Readers Award for this year.
BOOKS USEFUL FOR THERAPISTS
The following books tell stories which may enhance therapists’ insight into specific problem areas. The Committee strongly recommends that therapists read these selections critically before deciding whether they are appropriate to share with their particular clients. Because of the sensitive nature of some of these books it is important, if they are used, that they be only one tool within an ongoing therapeutic relationship – inclusion in this list does not mean a book is recommended as a self-help book.
BOOK FOR OLDER READERS
Unpacking Harper Holt by Di Walker (author) published by Walker Books. A compassionate and emotional novel about the loss of a mother. Written with clarity and insight, the author portrays the pain and grief well. Crisis is portrayed realistically and resolution is neither trite nor shallow, with support generated from both counselling and friendships. Would be a useful resource for families experiencing grief and loss.
PICTURE BOOKS/YOUNG READERS
My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia by Linda Moore (author), George Haddon (illustrator), published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. A well written book explaining the varying aspects of Dementia. A useful resource for children to gain understanding around the changes in behavior and the resultant affect on families.
