CBCA Book of the Year Notables 2026

Cruel Is the Light Sophie Clark

Older Readers

A brutal war between demons and humanity has raged across Europe for over a century.

At its heart are two elite soldiers: Selene Alleva, a powerful exorcist trained at the prestigious Vatican Academy, and foot soldier, Jules Lacroix, unrivalled in battle.

When their paths cross, despite initial distrust – then unwelcome attraction – Jules and Selene discover a terrible secret at the heart of the holy Vatican City . . .

Soon Jules is forced to question everything he’s ever known – including himself. And Selene, unable to ignore her growing feelings for Jules, must make an impossible choice between love and duty.

Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire Amy Doak

Older readers

Eleanor Jones isn’t looking for trouble.

But someone is starting fires in Cooinda – and the first one looks like a murder. Eleanor is determined not to get involved, but when she receives a note warning her to ‘keep quiet’ she can’t help but work out who sent it.

Who had motive to murder Eleanor’s neighbour? Could it really be one of her classmates? And are the fires connected to the car thefts in town? The more Eleanor tries to do the right thing, the more danger she finds herself in . . .

The Locked Room Adam Cece

Older readers

The clock is ticking . . .

Andy and three other kids wake up in a locked room.

The room has no windows, but it has a locked door, with a countdown clock above it.

They have less than an hour to figure out how to get out of this room. But when they do . . .?

There’s another locked room, and more locked doors. And they can’t go back.

Never Thought I'd End Up Here Ann Liang

Older readers

Leah Zhang has spent her whole life in LA — it’s all she’s ever known. But after accidentally wishing her cousin ill health and a very depressing marriage at her wedding, her parents stage an intervention. She’s forgotten most of her Mandarin, has zero regard for etiquette, and can’t hold a conversation with her own grandparents for longer than a minute. Their solution? Send her on an intensive two-week travel program across China’s most beautiful cities. To them, it’s the perfect opportunity for Leah to get back to her roots. To Leah, it’s simply a much-needed escape.

But before Leah can even begin to enjoy the luxurious hotels, stunning scenery, and mouth-watering cuisine, she finds that also on the trip is her former classmate and least favourite person ever: cynical, sarcastic Cyrus, who’s somehow only gotten more annoyingly handsome since they last saw each other.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured Lyndall Clipstone

Older readers

Expelled from her prestigious boarding school, eighteen-year-old Lark returns home in disgrace to discover her family on the brink of financial ruin. Desperate to save them, she accepts a marriage of convenience … to Therion, an underworld god worshipped by Lark’s isolated coastal hometown.

Her only hope is to seek help from Alastair Felimath, the brilliant, arrogant boy who was her first heartbreak, and his alluring older sister, Camille.

As the trio delves into the folklore of the gods, Lark falls under the spell of the Felimath siblings. Ensnared by a fervent romance, they perform a hedonistic ritual to repair the connection between Lark and her bridegroom.

Instead, they draw the ire of something much darker, which seeks to destroy Therion – and Lark as well.

This Stays Between Us Margot McGovern

Older readers

Four girls share a cabin in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack haunts isolated campers.

Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past.

Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend.

Priya thinks she’s ready to take the next step with her boyfriend.

Raffi has a flair for drama, and convinces them all to hold a seance.

But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . .

Ghost Guitar TJ DOOM, Nahum Ziersch

Younger Readers

Jake Jensen wants to become a guitar hero.

Instead, he’s stuck in detention.

As he cleans out the creepy old school attic, he accidentally summons a teen ghost band.

They need Jake's help to escape a terrible demon who has trapped them in Limbo.

With his best mate Zoe, can he help them rock their way to the afterlife – or will his first gig be his last?

The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss book 1 Helen Dallimore

Younger readers

Melody Moss is starting high school and EVERYTHING is going WRONG!

• Her BFF has forgotten the Forever bit and has found New Friends (aka The Clones).
• Her mum is taking food experimentation to a disgusting level.
• Her big sister pretends she doesn’t even exist.
• Her dog farts ALL THE TIME.
• And, her new crush has pushed her firmly into the Friend Zone.

She’s holding it together, but only just.

When a competition is announced to see who can write and direct the school musical, Melody JUMPS at the chance.

Will dancing octopuses (octopi?), a possibly life-threatening babysitting gig and a new friendship with a fellow musical-theatre tragic be just what Melody needs to get out of this mess?

The Silken Thread Gabrielle Wang

Younger Readers

Moonie lives in Melbourne and dreams of designing dresses for movie stars. Eight thousand kilometres away, on Chongming Island in China, peasant boy Little Dipper cares for the silkworms on his family’s farm and hopes to learn English.

On the day Moonie’s beloved Ma Mi goes away, Little Dipper appears in her house. Before they can speak, he is whisked back home. Aided by a magical silk cocoon, Little Dipper’s visits become a regular event and although neither knows how or why they are connected their bond grows each time.

Will the silken threads of friendship be enough to help Moonie bring Ma Mi home, or to save Little Dipper from the troublesome ghosts who stand between him and his dream of learning English?

All About Antarctica Marc Martin

Eve Pownall Award

A thrilling illustrated adventure that allows readers to get a deeper understanding of this unique place and learn about the global importance of the southernmost continent. Offering a look at the world of Antarctica, a place where curiosity meets science. Great for readers ages five to ninety-five!

From colossal squids and active volcanoes to research vessels and cricket matches, there’s a lot more to the South Pole than just penguins and icebergs (though there are also a lot of penguins and icebergs). Learn how humans survive in the coldest, driest, windiest place on Earth and discover what surprises await in this endlessly fascinating book.