Issue 4: August What s in this Issue? Topic Page Topic Page Topic Page. From President Richard 1 Congratulations! 3 Nella s Reviews 8

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Tas e-news Issue 4: August 2016 Patrons: Her Excellency Professor PO Box 113, Moonah, Tas., 7009 the Hon. Kate Warner AM email: info@cbcatas.org and Mr Richard Warner web: www.cbcatas.org Editor: Penny Garnsworthy blog: http://cbcatas.

As I write, only one person (a non-member) has responded. There has been no activity on Facebook and a couple of people have shared on twitter. But we re not defunct yet!

Centre across 7-11 September. Some of the most respected Aboriginal writers and speakers from Tasmania and beyond will take part in a program of storytelling, dance, song, discussion and film.

3 Nella s Reviews 8 Resources 1 Doreen Hopkins Medal 5 Kid Lit Historical Fiction 9 From Tas. Judge Karen 2 What s Happening?

1 Tas e-news Issue 4: August 2016 Patrons: Her Excellency Professor PO Box 113, Moonah, Tas., 7009 the Hon. Kate Warner AM and Mr Richard Warner web: Editor: Penny Garnsworthy blog: From President Richard In the blog: the CBCA committee called for help to save our local branch. As I write, only one person (a non-member) has responded. There has been no activity on Facebook and a couple of people have shared on twitter. But we re not defunct yet! Some of our members are working with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and the Tasmanian Writers Centre to honour Indigenous Literacy Day with Hidden Stories - a series of events at Moonah Arts Centre across 7-11 September. Some of the most respected Aboriginal writers and speakers from Tasmania and beyond will take part in a program of storytelling, dance, song, discussion and film. Tickets will be on sale soon. Please join us for these special events! Richard Pickup What s in this Issue? Topic Page Topic Page Topic Page From President Richard 1 Congratulations! 3 Nella s Reviews 8 Resources 1 Doreen Hopkins Medal 5 Kid Lit Historical Fiction 9 From Tas. Judge Karen 2 What s Happening? 6 From Editor Penny 10 Ena Noel Award 2 Writing Competitions 7 Diary Dates 10 Resources Reading Australia has been created by the Copyright Agency as a way of making it easier for teachers so spread a love for Australian books. It began as a list of 200 books chosen by the Australian Society of Authors to celebrate the work of our leading writers and illustrators in telling the Australian story. The site now holds over 100 resources available for teachers of all grades. Check it all out at: and be sure to read Why Choose U.S. When you Have Us? at: Page 1

From Tas. Picture Book Judge Karen I am now in the happy position of being surrounded by an ever growing pile of picture books as judging gets underway for 2017.

After the initial oohs and aahs over what are often beautifully presented books, the hard part starts the actual judging!

Our comments are recorded and we have initial discussions about what we like or didn t in an online forum.

We are looking for stories with outstanding literary merit: strong settings, plot and characterisation that pulls the reader in, engages and transfixes us.

2 From Tas. Picture Book Judge Karen I am now in the happy position of being surrounded by an ever growing pile of picture books as judging gets underway for It is a little like Christmas each time a package arrives and I unwrap the treasures within. After the initial oohs and aahs over what are often beautifully presented books, the hard part starts the actual judging! The judges have been provided with a judging rubric which we use to do an initial assessment of each title. Our comments are recorded and we have initial discussions about what we like or didn t in an online forum. For the most part we seem to have broad agreeance on most titles, but there have been a few titles already that have provoked some interesting discussion and differences of opinion. We are looking for stories with outstanding literary merit: strong settings, plot and characterisation that pulls the reader in, engages and transfixes us. We also look at the style of writing and observance of writing conventions. It s disappointing to find an otherwise good book is let down by poor editing or the failure to check facts. Another disappointment is when a book with strong literary merit and an important message is published with inferior binding or other production elements. One book I felt had an extraordinarily strong message and that was beautifully written, came presented in a totally nondescript manner which really let the book down. But of course for me as a picture book judge, it is the illustrations that are a real focus. I ve been impressed so far with the variety of mediums the illustrators have used. I ve enjoyed the fun, the quirky, and the beautiful. But the illustrations have to do more than just reflect the author s words. We are looking for the illustrations to also enhance and develop the story and there have been some real standouts for this. Rubrics aside, there is also for want of a better word, the WOW factor. There are some books which just demand your attention, challenge your thinking or overwhelm with the message or beauty of the illustrations and I m happy to say I ve read a few like this as well. The process is time consuming, and making a call on a book is sometimes more difficult than you d think, but judging is an amazing experience that I m learning from and thoroughly enjoying! Ena Noel Award Presentation Kate Gordon On 15 June, about thirty people attended a joint IBBY/CBCA Tasmanian Branch function which was held at McKillop Catholic College Rice Resource Centre to present the Ena Noel medal to Kate Gordon. CBCA Tas. Secretary Nella gave a brief account of IBBY s goals and its first president Ena Noel. Nella also spoke about the eponymous Ena Noel Award and its purpose, and gave a recommendation to join in the Unmasking the Wild fundraising campaign for the Children in Crisis Fund. Kate spoke briefly about her delight at receiving the award for Writing Clementine a book very dear to Kate s heart as it is set in her childhood home town of Wynyard. Writing Clementine deals with real people and real lives, with bullying, female friendships and with learning to live ones own life and explore new ventures. Congratulations Kate! McKillop catering students provided a wonderful afternoon tea which gave people the opportunity to congratulate Kate and to admire the medal. Karen Macpherson Page 2

Congratulations! Readings Children s Book Prize 2016 winner is Run, Pip, Run by J C Jones. Run, Pip, Run, for readers from age nine, is both heartfelt and action-packed.

3 Congratulations! Readings Children s Book Prize 2016 winner is Run, Pip, Run by J C Jones. Run, Pip, Run, for readers from age nine, is both heartfelt and action-packed. Pip is on the run from the authorities after her foster grandpa, Sully, falls ill. Things aren t easy for a young girl on her own, especially when it feels like everybody is looking for her, but Pip is a smart girl and with the help of a few friends, she s certain she can find a way to make Sully better again. Shortlist for the 2016 Western Australian Premier s Book Awards Children s Books Rivertime by Trace Balla (Allen and Unwin) A-Z of Convicts in Van Dieman s Land by Simon Barnard (Text Publishing) Hello From Nowhere by Raewyn Caisley and Karen Blair (Viking) How the Sun Got to Coco s house by Bob Graham (Walker Books) We All Sleep by Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Sally Morgan (Fremantle Press) Our Island by Alison Lester and Elizabeth Honey (Viking) A Single Stone by Meg McKinlay (Walker Books) One Minute s Silence by David Metzenthen, David and Michael Camilleri (Allen and Unwin) The Duck and the Darklings by Glenda Millard (Allen and Unwin) Being Agatha by Anna Pignataro (The Five Mile Press) Young Adults The River and the Book by Alison Croggan (Walker Books) Are You Seeing Me? by Darren Groth (Random House) One True Thing by Nicole Hayes (Random House) Freedom Ride by Sue Lawson (Black Dog Books) Talk Under Water by Kathryn Lomer (UQ Press) The Protected by Claire Zorn (UQ Press) Page 3

Unwin) Risk by Fleur Ferris (Penguin Random House) Every Move by Ellie Marney (Allen & Unwin) Stay with Me by Maureen McCarthy

Thief by Catherine Jinks (Allen & Unwin) Friday Barnes: Under Suspicion by R A Spratt (Penguin Random House) The Davitts Award

au/ Speech Pathology Australia Shortlisted Books for the Book of the Year Awards 2016 Go to: http://speechpathologyaustralia.org.

aspx The winners of this year s Territory Read Awards and Northern Territory Literary Awards have been announced, with two

Territory Read Awards are for books published during 2014 and 2015 by a Northern Territory resident.

) Children s literature/ya fiction ($2000) - My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald illus.

4 Congratulations! (cont d) Sisters in Crime 16 th Annual Davitt Awards Shortlist Young Adult In the Skin of a Monster by Kathryn Barker (Allen & Unwin) Risk by Fleur Ferris (Penguin Random House) Every Move by Ellie Marney (Allen & Unwin) Stay with Me by Maureen McCarthy (Allen & Unwin) Children s Novels Verity Sparks and the Scarlet Hand by Susan Green (Walker Press) Theophilus Grey and the Demon Thief by Catherine Jinks (Allen & Unwin) Friday Barnes: Under Suspicion by R A Spratt (Penguin Random House) The Davitts Award Ceremony will be held on 22 August: Speech Pathology Australia Shortlisted Books for the Book of the Year Awards 2016 Go to: The winners of this year s Territory Read Awards and Northern Territory Literary Awards have been announced, with two authors taking out the top prize in the Chief Minister s Book of the Year award for the first time, one of them a YA title. Territory Read Awards are for books published during 2014 and 2015 by a Northern Territory resident. Chief Minister s Book of the Year ($5000) - YA Title Nona and Me by Clare Atkins (Black Inc.) Children s literature/ya fiction ($2000) - My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald illus. Freya Blackwood (Little Hare) The Guardian Children s Fiction Prize Longlist CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Winners Horatio Clare and his editor Penny Thomas at Firefly Press have won the much coveted Branford Boase Award 2016 for their book Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot, illus. Jane Matthews. Page 4

The Doreen Hopkins Medal Doreen Hopkins started her Tasmanian career at the Ulverstone High School when, in 1967, headmaster Russ Jordan approached her to teach English full-time and look after the

Doreen recognised the need for librarianship qualifications so on the advice of the Australian Library Association she undertook a correspondence course from Melbourne that involved completion of

Her first move was to remove many of the old, unused fiction that cluttered the shelves and then offer the books to the students, who for a small donation could collect as many of the books as they

5 The Doreen Hopkins Medal Doreen Hopkins started her Tasmanian career at the Ulverstone High School when, in 1967, headmaster Russ Jordan approached her to teach English full-time and look after the library. Doreen recognised the need for librarianship qualifications so on the advice of the Australian Library Association she undertook a correspondence course from Melbourne that involved completion of nine papers which she achieved over three years. At Ulverstone High, Doreen worked hard to make the library more relevant and appealing to the 900 plus students. Her first move was to remove many of the old, unused fiction that cluttered the shelves and then offer the books to the students, who for a small donation could collect as many of the books as they wanted. This wasn t necessarily a popular move with everyone, but the students certainly appreciated the windfall and were fired up to see what new books would be appearing on the shelves. With the assistance of her library aide and a large contingent of parent help, Doreen soon had an exciting and enticing fiction collection that drew the students in to the library and had them reading in record numbers. Her job was made easier with the support of the local Book Shop run by a Mrs Phipps, who dutifully tracked down all of the books that Doreen requested. From fiction, Doreen moved on to upgrading the non-fiction resources. She had a good budget and was able to make the best use of what was available. In addition to purchasing new books, she employed the services of a sheltered workshop in Devonport to repair many of the quality non-fiction books that already existed in the collection. Doreen Hopkins (left) with Isobel Williams at the 2014 Doreen Hopkins Medal Award Dinner In 1974, Doreen took up a full time position as Teacher Librarian at New Town High School. There were considerable challenges that she faced getting the boys switched on to reading. Not long after arriving at New Town High, Doreen developed a reading program which provided baskets of themed book titles on everything from ghosts to dragons, adventure to science fiction. These proved extremely popular and provided ready access to books in the classroom. Computerisation of libraries was a new concept which offered significant potential for improved library services. Tentative steps began in the late 70s with SCIS and the introduction of centralised catalogue cards and then in the late 70s/early 80s the first integrated library management system was introduced. These developments were revolutionary in their capacity to organise the procedures and processes of school libraries, ultimately allowing for the barcoding of collections, stocktakes, reporting, access to statistics on library usage and so much more. Doreen embraced the challenges of technology and used it to engage her students. Library monitors were given jobs helping at the checkout desk, assisting with stocktakes and other responsibilities. When Doreen retired at the end of 1993, the New Town High School library was indelibly stamped with her trademark, vibrant exuberance that encouraged countless students to become avid readers and learn to love libraries. She also left her mark on her grateful colleagues who drew from her wealth of knowledge and experience in so many areas. The Doreen Hopkins Medal came about because the Tasmanian ASLA Executive at the time was looking for an award that went beyond the focus on professional excellence evidenced at the school/s that a Teacher Librarian worked in, but also considered what that Teacher Librarian had contributed to the greater school library community. When suggestions were sought for someone to name this new award after, there was a general consensus from the ASLA Executive at the time that Doreen Hopkins matched all the criteria for this award and would be a worthy professional for others to aspire to. The award has been presented since Page 5

What s Happening? Hidden Stories CBCA Tas.

perspectives in early Australian literature, and Professor Margaret Walter who will discuss her

6 What s Happening? Hidden Stories CBCA Tas. has initiated two forums entitled The Hidden Stories to be held on 7 and 11 September at the Moonah Arts Centre. The forums will feature Dr Margaret Bromley, whose research focusses on Aboriginal representation and perspectives in early Australian literature, and Professor Margaret Walter who will discuss her perspectives around Aboriginal representations and presence. If you would like to help out at these forums, please CBCA Tas. at: tas@cbca.org.au. New Members Welcome to: Jackie Gangell St Paul s Catholic School, Bridgewater We look forward to seeing you at events around the State! Page 6

Writing Competitions for Kids Entry is now open in the 2016 Schools Writing Competition! Students all over Australia are invited to enter their poems or short stories.

Entry is free and entries must be in by 31 August 2016. For information, go to: www.write4fun.net/competitions/58 The Footpath Library: enriching lives by giving books is running the EPIC!

This year s theme is Friendship and according to the program co-ordinator, Meredith Jaffé, each year has seen the competition grow in popularity. For information, go to: www.footpathlibrary.

7 Writing Competitions for Kids Entry is now open in the 2016 Schools Writing Competition! Students all over Australia are invited to enter their poems or short stories. There is no theme so entrants are encouraged to use their imaginations and write on any topic and in any style. Students from all grades are invited to enter. Entry is free and entries must be in by 31 August For information, go to: The Footpath Library: enriching lives by giving books is running the EPIC! Short Story Competition for primary and secondary students across Australia. The competition opens on the first day of Term 3 in each State and Territory and closes on 30 September. This year s theme is Friendship and according to the program co-ordinator, Meredith Jaffé, each year has seen the competition grow in popularity. For information, go to: Could you write a story on the theme Living in a Treehouse? If you can, then Andy Griffiths will judge your entry and you could win an Andy Griffiths book pack or an exclusive illustration by Terry Denton. The competition is open now and closes on 3 October For information, go to: CBCA Membership Is your membership up to date? Check out the benefits of membership of CBCA Tas. Branch and find application forms at: CBCA Tas. Life Members Kay Allport Angela Briant Jenni Connor Berenice Eastman Maureen Mann Hugo McCann Judy Moss Glenn Pullen Helen Thomas Bonnie Tilley Page 7

Nella s Reviews Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr (Allen & Unwin) Dragonfly Song is set in the Aegean Bronze Age.

Saved by the intervention of a wise woman, she becomes No-Name, a mute despised and cursed child blamed for bringing the Bull King and his raiders to the small community.

This is an adventure story and the story of how it feels to be not just rejected and unloved but reviled; a story where small acts of kindness are repaid in ways Aissa could never have imaged.

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah (Pan Australia) The return of One Nation, the rise of politicians like Cory Bernardi and the continuing vilification of asylum seekers make Randa

8 Nella s Reviews Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr (Allen & Unwin) Dragonfly Song is set in the Aegean Bronze Age. Aissa, the first-born daughter of the Lady, is born deformed with two extra thumbs; her fate is immediate death. Saved by the intervention of a wise woman, she becomes No-Name, a mute despised and cursed child blamed for bringing the Bull King and his raiders to the small community. Every year, the Bull King claims two thirteen year olds (one boy, one girl) from the island to become bull dancers. If they survive, they can return home and the island will be freed from its tribute. This is an adventure story and the story of how it feels to be not just rejected and unloved but reviled; a story where small acts of kindness are repaid in ways Aissa could never have imaged. Wendy Orr is the author of the Nim s Island series and Peeling the Onion. When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah (Pan Australia) The return of One Nation, the rise of politicians like Cory Bernardi and the continuing vilification of asylum seekers make Randa Abdel-Fattah s new book timely and important. We are shown the emotionally and politically charged debate from dual points of view - Michael s father is head of the Aussie Values political group who support policies of stopping the refugee boats and denying those seeking asylum. Michael accepts his parents beliefs blindly and loyally. Mina is a girl who has lived the ordeal of fleeing her home, being detained and eventually being permitted to live in the community. This book will polarize readers. Some cannot believe that intelligent, articulate and passionate young people speak about such issues and will label this book propaganda. Others will accept the strong moral compass of the story but will dispute some details (see Mina s reaction to the Grade 10s overseas trips to help a third world community). A thought provoking YA novel. Special by Georgia Blain (Random House) Reminiscent of Ishiguro s Never let me Go. In this corporate owned society, the rich can pay to have their children genetically designed. Others like the main character Fern Marlowe are Lotto children - chosen to have specific genetic traits and given a life of education, food and luxury compared to their parents. Suddenly Fern finds herself wiped from the system, living under an assumed name and unable to trust anyone. The pace is not the normal fast pace of most dystopian stories; effort has been put into creating a dream-like atmosphere and describing the setting. Thought provoking and intriguing but a little too rushed at the end. A house without books is like a room without windows. No man has the right to bring up children without surrounding them with books Children learn to read being in the presence of books. Horace Mann Page 8

9 Kid Lit: Historical Fiction The purpose of historical fiction is to offer insight into people and events from the past historical details are as accurate as possible and informed by historical research. But once it was looked upon as something of an embarrassment, like an elderly relative, to be tolerated out of a sense of duty (Leon Garfield). Historical Fiction for young adults has come a long way and is now a popular genre both for students and their teachers. Due in part to multiculturalism, previously neglected past events have now been addressed, and our interpretations of history re-examined. Children gain a profound awareness and more personal understanding of the past when they identify with characters in a story and see historical events through their eyes. There are however problems associated with the genre including the actual definition of truth and the balance between the historical and fictional elements of the work. Author Ann Schlee says, In a way, almost all children's books are legends of power and weakness. One has to develop a child character who is, in a sense, a hero with power over the action of the story. Yet, in reality children don't have power over their situations. But novelist Erik Christian Haugaard says, When you write a story that takes place in times long past, you are more free. Your readers have less prejudice and will accept your tale with open minds. You and your reader have less at stake, and thus you might get nearer to the truth, possibly even to reality. Another effective way of presenting historical information to children is through time travel novels. Characters travel magically across time to some other time period. According to Joanne Brown, Associate Professor of English at Drake University in Iowa, USA and a writer for young adults, It is no easy task, then, for an author to undertake the writing of historical fiction, a peculiarly demanding and problematic genre. Any writer who tells a story set in the past must negotiate the fine line between history and fiction, between readers contemporary sensibilities and historical accuracy. She goes on to say that it is equally difficult for teachers to teach historical fiction but that they can help their students to make connections between past and present issues. Sources: Page 9

10 From Editor Penny Doesn t there comes a time in every reader s life when they find they can no longer keep all of the books they have collected over the years? This happened to me recently I simply ran out of bookcase space. So I took a fairly brutal stocktake and found around 80 books I no longer wanted or needed; either I had read them and couldn t see myself rereading them or I simply didn t get through them the first time. I happened to mention this to a friend who said she had several boxes of books she no longer wanted and didn t know what to do with them. So I called Friends of the Library and asked if they would like them. The result was that I picked up the boxes from my friend and then set about sorting ALL the books into genres. Books were laid out from one end of the room to the other and what fun I had! I even managed to find a few I had never read but had always wanted to. And as we loaded them onto the truck, I thought about the joy this experience had given me and hoped it would give others the same. And my bookcases thank me. Diary Dates There s plenty happening for both readers and writers all around the country! Date Event Information 2-30 August Free Creative Writing Workshops for year olds every Tuesday in August 3.30pm-5.30pm, Youth Arts and Recreation Centre, 44 Collins Street, Hobart 13 August National Bookshop Day 16 August The Reading Hour 19 August August August Announcement of the 70 th CBCA Book of the Year Awards 35 th IBBY World Congress Theme: Literature in a Multi-Literate World Children s Book Week Theme: Australia: Story Country 6pm-7pm but with events all day Auckland, New Zealand Aug-4 Sep Melbourne Writers Festival 29 Aug-4 Sep National Literacy and Numeracy Week 29 Aug-5 Sep ALIA 2016 National Conference 7-11 Sep Brisbane Writers Festival Sep 2 nd International Library Symposium Theme: Space and Place; Power and Purpose 26 Sep-2 Oct Tasmanian Poetry Festival 29 Sep-2 Oct National Young Writers Festival Oct 5 th Celebrate Reading National Conference: Insights into Quality Australian Literature for Young Adults Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia The Southport School, Queensland val/welcome.html Newcastle, NSW The Literature Centre, Old Fremantle Prison, Western Australia Page 10

11 CBCA Awards Foundation Proudly Funding Prizes for the Children s Book of the Year Awards Benefactors: Scholastic Australia Allen & Unwin Laurie Copping OAM (in memoriam) Thyne Reid Trust No. 1 Major Donors: Australia Post, Jill Bruce, Sandy Campbell, Jean Chapman (in memoriam), Era Publications, Max Fatchen (in memoriam), Five Mile Press, Libby Gleeson AM, Bob Graham, Hachette Children s Books Aust, Hardie Grant Egmont, HarperCollinsPublishers Aust, Ipswich District Teacher-Librarians Network, James N Kirby Foundation, Kinross-Wolaroi School, Koala Books, Library Board of Q land, Beryl Moncrieff Matthews (in memoriam), Jill Midolo (in memoriam), Angela Namoi, NT Govt, Jan Ormerod (in memoriam), Parents & Boys of Sydney Grammar Edgecliff Prep, Penguin Books Aust, Eve Pownall (in memoriam), Random House Aust, Marion E Robertson (in memoriam), Emily Rodda (Jennifer Rowe), Gillian Rubinstein, Maurice Saxby AM, SA Dept of the Arts & Cult. Dev, Cathie Tasker, University of Queensland Press, Julie Vivas, Walker Books Aust, Cassandra Weddell, Qld (in memoriam), Maisie Williams, Garah, NSW (in memoriam), Margaret Wild, Sue Williams. Donations to the CBCA Awards Foundation are tax deductible and can be sent to: PO Box 172, Blackheath, NSW, 2785 Phone : (02) or (02) / Fax : (02) or donate on line at: Page 11

BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS JUDGES REPORT 2008

THE CHILDREN S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS JUDGES REPORT 2008 Edited by Liz Derouet Jill McCallum Written by the Interstate Panel Michael Janssen-Gibson (ACT) Kirsten Reim (NSW) Frances