Check out the Penguin Random House books that have been shortlisted.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their 2024 shortlist, and we’re proud to share that two PRH books have made the list. Both of our shortlisted books fall under the book of the year category for younger readers.
Keep reading to learn more, and discover some fun activities, teachers’ notes and articles.
Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd
It’s not eggsactly easy being Jimmy Baxter 'cause:
- The real Jimmy's hiding inside
- Ned Kelly’s giving him the evil eye
- Mum’s stopped going to work and stays in bed
- There’s no eggs in the fridge — or anything else.
AND there’s new jobs, bad-at-school brains and a whole lot of trouble called Duke.
But then . . . there’s Mac.
Morris Gleitzman has called it ‘a moving story told with moments of absolute delight.’
‘I LOVE this book and Fiona Lloyd has been a dream author. Jimmy is irresistibly and artfully drawn – a character you take into your heart immediately and are cheering for from start to finish. So proud that it’s been shortlisted!’
- Heather Curdie, Commissioning Editor
Scar Town by Tristan Bancks
Seven years after Old Scarborough was drowned, a house is emerging from the water. Will and his friends Dar and Juno dare each other to explore it.
But when they find bones – and a stash of cash – they realise they’re not the only ones interested in its secrets.
Now they’re fighting for their lives against the men who want what they found. Will can’t leave the mystery alone, though. What if the bones belong to his missing dad?
‘It’s particularly rewarding to see Tristan’s Scar Town named a CBCA Shortlisted book, as Tristan has been developing this story for over ten years, refining and honing his idea for a story about a drowned town into a page-turning, nailbiting thrill ride of a story that combines emotional heft with fast-paced action.’ - Zoe Walton, Publisher
The Children’s Book Council of Australia has named Tristan Bancks's novel as the Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2024.
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