Congratulations to the following authors, illustrators and publishers on being recognised on this year’s lists. Short Lists will be announced on March 28. Check local branch websites and social media for events discussing these lists, and join us to celebrate the diversity of books written for children and young adults. Links on titles to reviews on Reading Time.
Book of the Year: Older Readers NB: These books are for mature readers
Link to: CBCA OR Notables 2017 [pdf with book covers]
| Author | Book Title | Publishers | ISBN |
| Butters, Simon | The Hounded | Wakefield Press | 9781743053959 |
| Caddy, Meg | Waer | Text Publishing | 9781922182210 |
| Crowley, Cath | Words in Deep Blue | Pan MacMillan Australia | 9781742612386 |
| Eglington, Tara | My Best Friend is a Goddess | HarperCollins Publishers | 9780732299903 |
| Fraillon, Zana | The Bone Sparrow | Hachette Australia | 9780734417138 |
| Goodman, Alison | Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club | HarperCollins Publishers | 9780732296094 |
| Jacobson, Megan | Yellow | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143573333 |
| Kasmer, Elizabeth | Becoming Aurora | University of Queensland Press | 9780702254208 |
| Kostakis, Will | The Sidekicks | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143309031 |
| McGahan, Andrew | The Ocean of the Dead | Allen & Unwin | 9781760292188 |
| Millard, Glenda | The Stars at Oktober Bend | Allen & Unwin | 9781743315897 |
| Pitt, Darrell | A Toaster on Mars | Text Publishing | 9781922182869 |
| Plozza, Shivaun | Frankie | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143573166 |
| Sutherland, Krystal | Our Chemical Hearts | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143573906 |
| Touchell, Dianne | Forgetting Foster | Allen & Unwin | 9781760110796 |
| Weetman, Nova | Everything is Changed | University of Queensland Press | 9780702254161 |
| Wild, Ailsa, illus. Hutchings, Ben | The Invisible War | Scale Free Network | 9780992587253 |
| Zorn, Claire | One Would Think the Deep | University of Queensland Press | 9780702253942 |
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Link to: CBCA YR Notables 2017 [pdf with book covers]
| Author & Illustrator | Book Title | Publishers | ISBN |
| Alexander, Goldie | Cybertricks | Five Senses Education | 9781741308884 |
| Balla, Trace | Rockhopping | Allen & Unwin | 9781760112349 |
| Banks, Angelica | Blueberry Pancakes Forever | Allen & Unwin | 9781760110451 |
| Battersby, Lee Illus. Amy Daoud |
Magrit | Walker Books Australia | 9781925081343 |
| Bavati, Robyn | Within These Walls Stella Lees Review |
Scholastic Australia | 9781760152857 |
| Brian, Janeen | Yong: the journey of an unworthy son | Walker Books Australia | 9781925126297 |
| Chim, Wai | Freedom Swimmer | Allen & Unwin | 9781760113414 |
| Ciddor, Anna | The Family With Two Front Doors | Allen & Unwin | 9781925266641 |
| Crabbe, Kay | The Pearl-Shell Diver: A Story of Adventure from the Torres Strait | Allen & Unwin | 9781760290474 |
| Fienberg, Anna | Wicked’s Way | Allen & Unwin | 9781743319901 |
| Foxlee, Karen | A Most Magical Girl | Allen & Unwin | 9781848125742 |
| Gibbes, Lesley illus. Stephen Michael King |
Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts | Allen & Unwin | 9781760112851 |
| Gleitzman, Morris | Toad Delight | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143309239 |
| Hall, Leanne | Iris and the Tiger | Text Publishing | 9781925240795 |
| Hamilton, Anne | Daystar: The Days are Numbered | Wombat Books | 9781925139518 |
| Hawke, Rosanne | Daughter of Nomads | University of Queensland Press | 9780702253935 |
| Hayes, Paula | Lily in the Mirror | Fremantle Press | 9781925163872 |
| Heath, Jack | The Fail Safe | Allen & Unwin | 9781925266078 |
| Jennings, Paul illus. Craig Smith |
The Unforgettable What’s His Name | Allen & Unwin | 9781760290856 |
| Jinks, Catherine | Theophilus Grey and the Traitor’s Mask | Allen & Unwin | 9781760113612 |
| Kane, Kim | When the Lyrebird Calls | Allen & Unwin | 9781741758528 |
| Kelly, Deborah illus. Leigh Hedstrom |
Ruby Wishfingers: Skydancer’s Escape | Wombat Books | 9781925139631 |
| Knapp, Kate | Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London | HarperCollins Publishers | 9780732297626 |
| Miller, Jessica | Elizabeth and Zenobia | Text Publishing | 9781925355031 |
| Murrell, Belinda | The Lost Sapphire | Penguin Random House Australia | 9781925324112 |
| O’Loghlin, James | The Twins of Tintarfell | Pan MacMillan Australia | 9781743548097 |
| Orr, Wendy | Dragonfly Song | Allen & Unwin | 9781760290023 |
| Pascoe, Bruce | Mrs Whitlam | Magabala Books | 9781925360240 |
| Perry, Ellyse & Clark, Sherryl | Pocket Rocket | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143781240 |
| Phommavanh, Oliver | The Other Christy | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143505723 |
| Rossell, Judith | Wormwood Mire: A Stella Montgomery Intrigue | HarperCollins Publishers | 9780733333019 |
| Roxburgh, Richard | Artie and the Grime Wave | Allen & Unwin | 9781760292140 |
| Rushby, Pamela | Lizzie and Margaret Rose | Scholastic Australia | 9781742991528 |
| Smith, Jane illus. Pat Kan |
Shoot-out at the Rock | Big Sky Publishing | 9781925275940 |
| Temple, Kate & Temple, Jol illus. John Foye |
Captain Jimmy Cook Discovers Third Grade | Allen & Unwin | 9781760291938 |
| Walsh, Myles illus. Pitcha Makin Fellas |
What’s in a Name? | boh books | 9780992395018 |
| Weetman, Nova | The Secrets We Keep Jennifer Mors’s review |
University of Queensland Press | 9780702254215 |
| Wild, Ailsa illus. Ben Wood |
Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781760126759 |
| Wolfer, Dianne | The Shark Caller | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143780557 |
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Link to: CBCA EC Notables 2017 [pdf with book covers]
| Author & Illustrator | Book Title | Publishers | ISBN |
| Alafaci, Marie illus. Shane McGowan |
Zelda’s Big Adventure | Allen & Unwin | 9781925266382 |
| Bell, Davina illus. Sara Acton |
Oh Albert! | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670078608 |
| Bell, Johanna illus. Dion Beasley |
Go Home, Cheeky Animals! | Allen & Unwin | 9781760291655 |
| Bentley, Jonathan | Where is Bear? | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781760122911 |
| Blabey, Aaron | Pig the Winner | Scholastic Australia | 9781760154288 |
| Brian, Janeen illus. Danny Snell |
Little Chicken Chickabee | Raising Literacy Australia | 9780994385338 |
| Brooke, Cori illus. Megan Forward |
All I Want For Christmas Is Rain | New Frontier Publishing | 9781925059717 |
| Calder, Charlotte illus. Tom Jellett |
The 12th Dog | Hachette Australia | 9780734416919 |
| Chambers, Susannah illus. Mark Jackson |
The Snow Wombat Liz Derouet’s review |
Allen & Unwin | 9781760113810 |
| Crumble, Paul illus. Lucinda Gifford |
The Cat Wants Custard | Scholastic Australia | 9781760155780 |
| Dunstan, Kylie | Nannie Loves | Working Title Press | 9781921504839 |
| Fox, Mem illus. Judy Horacek |
Ducks Away! | Scholastic Australia | 9781760158514 |
| Gibbes, Lesley illus. Lisa Stewart |
Little Bear’s First Sleep | Scholastic Australia | 9781743624012 |
| Godwin, Jane & Wagner, Michael illus. Andrew Joyner |
Bear Make Den | Allen & Unwin | 9781760110017 |
| Graham, Bob | Home in the Rain | Walker Books Australia | 9781406368239 |
| Howarth, Kylie | Chip | Bonnier Publishing Australia | 9781760400736 |
| James, Ann | Bird and Bear and the Special Day | Bonnier Publishing Australia | 9781760402808 |
| Lester, Alison | Hello Little Babies Verushka Byrow’s review |
HarperCollins Publishers | 9780733330414 |
| McCartney, Tania illus. Jess Racklyeft |
Smile/Cry | Exisle Publishing | 9781921966989 |
| Morgan, Sally illus. Ambelin Kwaymullina |
Dream Little One, Dream | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670078868 |
| Morgan, Sally illus. Ambelin Kwaymullina |
Joey Counts to Ten | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781760121266 |
| Parker, Aura | Twig | Scholastic Australia | 9781760157067 |
| Parker, Danny illus. Freya Blackwood |
Molly and Mae | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781742975276 |
| Pignataro, Anna | Agatha and the Dark | Bonnier Publishing Australia | 9781760402075 |
| Rudge, Leila | Gary | Walker Books Australia | 9781925081695 |
| Saxby, Claire illus. Connah Brecon |
Wild Pa | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780857988003 |
| Shanahan, Lisa illus. Leila Rudge |
The Whole Caboodle | Scholastic Australia | 9781743629321 |
| Treml, Renee | Ten Little Owls | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780143780564 |
| Walker, Sue illus. Anil Tortop |
My Perfect Pup | New Frontier Publishing | 9781925059601 |
| Webb, Cassandra illus. Amanda Francey |
Take Ted Instead | New Frontier Publishing | 9781925059533 |
| Wyatt, Edwina illus. Lucia Masciullo |
Together Always | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781742979632 |
The Picture Book of the Year. NB: Some of these books may be for mature readers.
Arranged by illustrator
Link to: CBCA PB Notables 2017 [pdf with book covers]
| Illustrator & Author | Book Title | Publishers | ISBN |
| Ainslie, Tamsin Text Carlie Gibson |
The Sisters Saint-Claire | Allen & Unwin | 9781760291563 |
| Anelli, Liz Text Ross Watkins |
One Photo | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670077977 |
| Anelli, Liz Text Pamela Freeman |
Desert Lake: The Story of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre | Walker Books Australia | 9781921529436 |
| Baker, Jeannie | Circle | Walker Books Australia | 9781406338010 |
| Balchin, Lance | Mechanica: A Beginner’s Field Guide | Bonnier Publishing Australia | 9781760401085 |
| Bancroft, Bronwyn | Colours of Australia | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781742976914 |
| Bentley, Jonathan | Where is Bear? | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781760122911 |
| Bentley, Jonathan Text Janet A Holmes |
Blue Sky, Yellow Kite | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781760124229 |
| Blabey, Aaron | Don’t Call Me Bear! | Scholastic Australia | 9781760159849 |
| Blackwood, Freya Text Danny Parker |
Molly and Mae | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781742975276 |
| Blackwood, Freya Text Jane Godwin & Davina Bell |
Hattie Helps Out | Allen & Unwin | 9781743435434 |
| Blair, Karen Text Raewyn Caisley |
Something Wonderful | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670078455 |
| Bland, Nick | The Fabulous Friend Machine | Scholastic Australia | 9781760277659 |
| Cowcher, Robin Text Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg |
Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve in War | Walker Books Australia | 9781922179050 |
| Evans, Gabriel Text Penny Morrison |
Captain Sneer the Buccaneer | Walker Books Australia | 9781922179609 |
| Forward, Megan | A Patch from Scratch | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670078295 |
| Gordon, Gus | Somewhere Else | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670078851 |
| Graham, Bob | Home in the Rain | Walker Books Australia | 9781406368239 |
| Harvey, Roland | On the River | Allen & Unwin | 9781760112455 |
| Hobbs, Leigh | Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma | Allen & Unwin | 9781925266771 |
| Huxley, Oliver Text Dee Huxley & Tiffany Huxley |
My Brother | Working Title Press | 9781921504853 |
| Jellett, Tom Text Paul Newman |
Grandpa’s Big Adventure | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670078172 |
| Joyner, Andrew Text Jen Storer |
Blue, The Builder’s Dog | Penguin Random House Australia | 9780670077809 |
| Kennedy, Lisa Text Aunty Joy Murphy |
Welcome to Country | Walker Books Australia | 9781922244871 |
| Lesnie, Phil Text Libby Hathorn |
A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy | Hachette Australia | 9780734416377 |
| McKenzie, Heath | Archie No Ordinary Sloth | Bonnier Publishing Australia | 9781760067892 |
| McMahon, Michael | Melbourne Word by Word | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781760126674 |
| Michael King, Stephen | Snail and Turtle: Rainy Days | Scholastic Australia | 9781760159061 |
| Nixon, Chris Text Chris Owen |
Pandamonia | Fremantle Press | 9781925163339 |
| Ottley, Matt Text Danny Parker |
Crusts | Hardie Grant Egmont | 9781742979830 |
| Plant, Andrew Text Adam Wallace |
Spark | Ford Street Publishing | 9781925272413 |
| Redlich, Ben | Smeck | Windy Hollow Books | 9781922081650 |
| Riddle, Tobhy | Milo: A Moving Story | Allen & Unwin | 9781760111632 |
| Rudd, Van T Text Maxine Beneba Clarke |
The Patchwork Bike | Hachette Australia | 9780734416681 |
| Rudge, Leila | Gary | Walker Books Australia | 9781925081695 |
| Simmonds, Brian Text Jan Ramage |
Dog Lost | Windy Hollow Books | 9781922081612 |
| Smith, Craig Text Diane Jackson Hill |
Chooks in Dinner Suits | Museum Victoria | 9781921833380 |
| Swan, Owen Text Angela de Pouraix |
Out | Scholastic Australia | 9781743629000 |
| Thompson, Colin | Stanley | HarperCollins Publishers | 9780733332852 |
| Tregonning, Mel | Small Things | Allen & Unwin | 9781742379791 |
| Whatley, Bruce Text Jackie French |
Cyclone | Scholastic Australia | 9781743623596 |
| Wu, Di Text Christopher Cheng |
New Year Surprise! | National Library of Australia | 9780642278838 |
The Eve Pownall Award for Information Books NB: These books are intended for an audience birth to 18 years.
Link to: CBCA EP Notables 2017 [pdf with book covers]
| Author & Illustrator | Book Title | Publishers | ISBN |
| Baker, Jeannie | Circle | Walker Books Australia | 9781406338010 |
| Cole-Adams, Jennet & Gauld, Judy | Resource – Stories of Australian innovation in wartime | Department of Veterans’ Affairs | 9780992583989 |
| Coote, Maree | Spellbound: Making Pictures with the A-B-C | Melbournestyle Books | 9780992491727 |
| Cossins, Jennifer | A-Z of Endangered Animals | Red Parka Press | 9780987594662 |
| Deeves, Pauline | Socks, Sandbags & Leeches: Letters to My Anzac Dad | National Library of Australia | 9780642278845 |
| Freeman, Pamela illus. Liz Anelli |
Desert Lake: The Story of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre | Walker Books Australia | 9781921529436 |
| Greenwood, Mark illus. Terry Denton |
Boomerang and Bat | Allen & Unwin | 9781743319246 |
| Hendry, Lorna | The Gigantic Book of Genes | Wild Dog Books | 9781742034102 |
| Jackson Hill, Diana illus. Craig Smith |
Chooks in Dinner Suits | Museum Victoria | 9781921833380 |
| Karmel, Joanna illus. Tony Flowers |
Hello! | National Library of Australia | 9780642278876 |
| Liberman, Cassy & Carter Jenkins, Sara illus. Emma Borghesi |
Australia’s Nightingale: Nellie Melba | Brolly Books | 9781925386042 |
| Martin, Helen & Simpson Judith illus. Cheryl Orsini |
The ABC Book of Food | HarperCollins Publishers | 9780733334269 |
| McMullin, Neridah illus. Andrew McLean |
Fabish: The Horse that Braved a Bushfire | Allen & Unwin | 9781925266863 |
| Newton, Gina M. | Amazing Animals of Australia’s National Parks | National Library of Australia | 9780642278883 |
| Ryan, Kate illus. Cally Bennett |
Degas: An Art Book for Kids | National Gallery of Victoria | 9781925432138 |
| Sedunary, Michael illus. Bern Emmerichs |
William Bligh: a stormy story of tempestuous times | Berbay Publishing | 9780994289537 |
| Tarakson, Stella illus. Richard Morden |
Aliens, Ghosts and Vanishings: Strange and Possibly True Australian Stories | Penguin Random House Australia | 9781925324969 |
Printer-friendly PDF list of all titles, each category on separate page: CBCA BOYA Notables List MEDIA RELEASE
