Great summer reading ideas
Great summer reading ideas
Kathryn Eyre, Head of Library (7-12 & IB Extended Essay Coordinator), is very passionate about reading – as you’d expect of someone in her role.
With summer on its way, she has given her reading picks for Junior, Middle and Senior College.
By Layla Harris.
“My biggest recommendation is to just READ! Read to your kids, read with your kids, read around your kids…make full use of school and public libraries and bookstores.”
– Kathryn Eyre
Recommended Reads – Secondary Years 7-12
The Upwelling – Lystra Rose
This is a fantasy debut by First Nations writer Lystra Rose with a great time travel story. Deep dive into the traditional culture of the Yugambeh people with this book showcasing their language and practices. Age 13+
- Winner of the NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature.
- 2023 winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2023 Prize for Indigenous Writing.
- Shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing 2023.
- Shortlisted for Readings Young Adult Prize 2023.
Neverlanders – Tom Taylor
Peruse this vibrantly illustrated graphic novel that is a reimagining of the traditional Peter Pan story. Exciting and fast-paced, it’s a great example of the value of graphic novels in the modern literary scene. It offers a story kids can relate to and easily immerse themselves in.
Featured recently in SMH & also ABC listen.
- Winner CBCA Book of the Year 2023 for Young Adults.
- Winner Comic Arts Award of Australia.
Age 13+ ‘fantasy violence’ and themes of lost family and belonging.
Completely Normal (and other lies) – Biffy James
This novel offers young people an authentic, sensitive story of love and grief in all types of relationships. The characters are presented through their thoughts and actions, not coarse language or extreme behaviours. They are all very normal and believable. There is a social media element that adds a realistic atmosphere without overshadowing the main themes.
The positive representation of counselling in the book is extremely valuable and not something often seen in young adult fiction. It was gratifying to see characters come to understand the impact of their behaviour and that of others, even in the face of strong emotions (which are never dismissed).
- Honour book CBCA Older Readers 2023.
- CBCA Sun Project: Shadow Judging Winner 2023.
- The Readings Young Adult Prize Shortlist 2023.
- Shortlisted for Ampersand Award.
Age 15+ themes of mental health, toxicity in relationships, death and grief.
Where You Left Us – Rhiannon Wilde
Modern Australian ‘Gothic’ novel with a family mystery at its core that unravels. It’s a tale of raw emotions of grief, anger, loneliness and isolation with representation of neurodiversity.
- The Readings Young Adult Prize Shortlist 2023.
- CBCA Book of the Year Notable 2023.
Age 15+ themes of mental health, family relationships, addiction, death and grief.
Interned – Pamela Rushby
In this post-war tale of friendship, love and belonging, young girls from different cultural backgrounds displaced because of WW1, find themselves together in a foreign land – Australia. This is a true story told from a unique perspective about a little-known part of Australian history. Age 13+
Recommended Reads – Junior Years 4-6
Waiting for the Storks -Katrina Nannestad
Inspired by true events, the book gives us a window into a fascinating story from war, told from the perspective of a young child. Beautiful, evocative and tender storytelling.
Age 10+
Runt – Craig Silvey
Winner CBCA Book of the Year 2023 Younger Readers.
Book of the Year at the 2023 Indie Book Awards.
Winner of ABIA Book of the Year.
Winner of BookPeople Book of the Year.
A gorgeously told story of a young girl, her adopted stray dog and the close bond they share. The reader follows them on their journey from country town to the big city of London, seeing how they work together. It’s a hilarious and heartfelt story of life’s ups, downs and all the bits in between.
Age 8+
Evie and Rhino- Neridah McMullin
Introduce this gorgeous story of friendship and the environment to your child(ren). It’s loosely inspired by a tragic, true account with a reimagined ending. Can love and friendship heal the wounds of the past? The narrative has a strongly developed plot and wonderful characterisation.
Shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Prize 2023.
Honour Book CBCA Book of the Year 2023 Younger Readers.
Age 8+
August & Jones – Pip Harry
Based upon a true tale of two Australian children, we see the strength of friendship while they go about realising their ‘bucket list’, navigating the challenges of young teens.
- CBCA Sun Project: Shadow Judging Winner 2023.
- Shortlisted CBCA Book of the Year 2023.
- Shortlisted for the 2023 Margaret and Colin Roderick. Literary Award.
Age 10+