A Window into the 2026 Judges & Judging – the Jury is OUT!

The merry month of May has provided Tasmanian children’s literature lovers with two fascinating presentations from CBCA Book of the Year Judges. Many thanks to Anna Davidson, Dr Mark Macleod and Kym Diprose for sharing deep insights and intriguing snippets about the judging processes and an array of spectacular books.

 

The first event was held in the Nettlefold Library at Hutchins with stunning views of the Derwent providing a fitting backdrop. With all books across the six categories on display there was opportunity for attendees to view titles beyond the range of the judges’ readings. Mark started the afternoon with coverage of the Picture Book short list and also referenced other titles from the notable lists. He then followed Anna to explore the New Illustrator titles.

Mark’s passion for, and knowledge of, the artistic techniques and the power of imagery to elevate or expand a text was evident throughout with insights shared. Of special note for me were Dawn and the unique and alternative First Nations books The Frogs First Song and Tiwi in Paris. His expertise flowed through to discussions around the outstanding works by new Illustrators and the varied techniques that were applied. Highlighting fine art techniques and design qualities added value and certainly made me reflect more deeply on the selections.

Anna Davidson not only hosted this session and set up the book displays, she also starred in her role as judge, talking about key features of each of the shortlisted books. Her insights were insightful and certainly made me reconsider some of the books from a more enlightened perspective that will send me back for a re-read of a couple of titles.  Some titles were entered in more than one category, The Thing About Christmas being one example, that both judges could talk to, and Anna’s unpacking of the powerful illustrations by Briony Stewart was especially valuable. 

Anna drew our attention to some interesting aspects of the submissions including the number of board books and their quality - no mean feat in regard to themes and language for such a young audience. Counting Crocodiles, a notable entry, was a firm favourite. The criteria applied in the judging process included language, illustration, characterisation, setting plot, theme, mood, source material, design elements, age- appropriateness and production value and it was interesting to hear how these were evident within the books.

With some time free at the end, there was a chance to ask questions and to share some thoughts and feedback on books in other categories. It was insightful to hear how practitioners and fellow readers also reacted to the books under the spotlight.

 

A week later a smaller, but just as enthusiastic group, met at the bright and inviting library at Leighland Christian College. Once again, Mark shared his expertise – I particularly enjoyed his sharing and analysis of Being Indy as a New Illustrator shortlisted title – that has deepened my appreciation for this book for a wider audience – one to talk about in forthcoming Secondary Launceston talk.

Kym Diprose, as a new comer to Tasmania, provided a personal story that established her street cred, and this was entertainingly demonstrated throughout the session. The six titles are all diverse in regard to gender with some strong male characters evident this year, and also coverage across different genres and age levels with realistic fiction being strongly represented. The judges were informed by the values evident in the books - equity, diversity, quality, integrity and respect. The short listed stories revolved around strong characters resolving a range of ethical and problematic issues in convincing ways. 

Sharing insights into not just the short listed books, but also a number of titles from the notable list proved the audience with broader perspectives. Themes of cooperation, creativity, friendship, family environment and loss and grief were common and octopuses were in abundance! With one graphic novel, Inked, on the list, Kym also highlighted three other titles and talked about the high level of design and production in all of these. 

The grand finale for the event was the opening of Kym’s first package of books for next year’s awards, which she had collected on her way to Ulverstone. We all felt part of the process.

Many thanks to the judges for not only the time and commitment involved in being a CBCA judge, but also the joy and passion in sharing their experiences and thoughts with the participants. A grand time was had by all, but we will have to wait until the August 21 before Judges’ verdict is IN! Stay tuned to the website for updates on the Book of the Year announcements.

 

Jennie Bales

Retired teacher librarian and avid reader

CBCA Tasmania Social Media Coordinator

 

 

Editor’s note: Wish you were there? Join a team of devoted readers and practitioners, including a past judge, to discuss the short list and selected notable titles in one of two events in June. There are two more sessions scheduled in Launceston.

Make the most of your membership for free access to:

** June 2, 4-6 pm. Primary Short List Book Discussion at Riverside Primary School. Book here.

** June 10, 4-6 pm. Secondary Short List Book Discussion at Scotch Oakburn Senior School. Book here.

Read the judges’ critiques of all the shortlisted titles in the 2026 Notable Booklet at the e-store on the CBCA website.

Books in Battle: Championing Verse Novels in the Middle School Library

Join Michelle Davies as she shares a successful and engaging program to hook middle school readers onto verse novels.

This round of wide reading sessions with Year 6 had a clear purpose: to introduce students to verse novels as a rich and distinctive narrative form, and to connect that experience to their classroom poetry unit. What I didn’t anticipate was just how much impact it would have.

 

Why Verse Novels?

A verse novel combines the storytelling of a novel with the style and rhythm of poetry. Where a conventional novel builds its scenes from paragraphs, a verse novel builds them from poems. The story is the same kind of story. The language just moves differently, and for middle school readers, the difference turns out to matter enormously.

 

Literacy researchers have identified verse novels as a highly engaging format for teens, largely because they feel visually approachable. The short lines, white space and varied layouts make them less overwhelming than dense blocks of prose, which can be especially helpful for reluctant readers or students who lack confidence in reading. There’s also a sense of quick progress as pages turn easily, helping students build confidence and momentum as they read.

 

The poetic structure also invites readers to slow down and “hear” language, making it a natural fit for reading aloud, a quality that would prove central to everything that followed.

 

Enter: The Book Battle

 

As part of our wide reading program, our three Year 6 classes visit the library each week. In a recent session, I had two main goals: to introduce students to verse novels and connect that experience to their classroom English unit on poetry. The Book Battle was designed to achieve both, drawing on the competitive energy middle schoolers bring to just about everything they do.

 

The premise is simple: two verse novels go head-to-head. I read the opening chapter of each aloud, students listen, then vote for their favourite. The winner advances. Over six lessons and four rounds, the field narrows from eight books to four quarterfinalists, then two semi-finalists, and finally one champion, with each successive chapter building as the stakes rise.

Results were projected live onto our library screen, and the atmosphere lifted straight away. Students leaned forward, some cheering, others turning to friends in disbelief as the rankings shifted. The energy in the room was everything.

 

When the winning book was finally announced, it was handed to the classroom teacher to be read aloud in the weeks ahead. The students already knew how it began. They were already invested.

 

 

Three Classes, Three Champions

 

What surprised and delighted me most was this: all three Year 6 classes heard the same books, the same chapters, and voted independently, yet each class produced a different champion. When this was revealed, the discussion that followed was exactly the kind of rich literary conversation we aim to foster. Reading is subjective. Taste is personal. Yet the books we love are worth arguing for.

The buzz extended well beyond the library. Students who had voted a book out in round one were suddenly curious about why another class had championed it, and demand for the verse novel collection quickly followed.

After the final vote

There is no right answer in a Book Battle. The outcome isn’t decided in advance, and no external award defines the winner. Students, through their collective choices, determine which book earns its place in their space. That sense of ownership is, I believe, one of the most powerful ways to build reading identity in middle school.

What stayed with me long after the champion was crowned was watching students leave the library carrying a book they had chosen, argued for, voted for, and claimed as their own.

It doesn’t get better than that.

 

Michelle Davies

Librarian (Middle & Senior School)

The Hutchins School

Are you going? Have you booked your place?

How lucky are we in Tasmania to have not just one or two, but four shortlist talks, given by our judges or some of our very knowledgeable practitioners. 

Each one will celebrate the best of the fabulous range of titles published in 2025 for readers up to the age of 18. It won’t matter which part of the state you live in, there will be a talk somewhere near you. If you’re a CBCA member the talks are free. Non-members will be charged $5, a minimal charge for a wonderful few hours. Bookings are essential.

Wednesday 13^th May is the first one, from 4-6pm at Hutchins Senior School Nettlefold Library. It will be led by Anna Davidson (judge for the Early Childhood category) and Dr Mark McLeod (judge for the Picture Book and New Illustrator categories). They will have fascinating insights into this year’s process and how the books are chosen. There’s sure to be an opportunity to question them if your favourite book missed out on being shortlisted. 

A week later, Wednesday May 20^th it’s Ulverstone’s turn at Leighland Christian School Library, again 4-6pm.  This time, the speakers will be Kym Diprose (judge for the Younger Readers category) and Dr Mark McLeod (judge for the Picture Book and New Illustrator categories). Come and hear why your favourite book was or wasn’t included.

The third talk, in Launceston this time, will be at Riverside Primary School Library 4-6pm. The discussion will be facilitated by a group of current and former teacher librarians and librarians, all of whom are avid readers: Jennie Bales, Nella Pickup, Jessica Marston and Jessica Cross. Though this group can’t give any direct insights into the judging process they know their books, so it’s sure to be an inspiring afternoon.

The last talk will cover the Older Readers category, as well as relevant books from the other categories, and will be led by Carol Fuller (a former judge) and Jennie Bales. It will be held in Launceston, at Scotch Oakburn Senior School, John Morris Library, Wednesday June 10 from 4-6pm.   

Hope to see you there … Book here to secure your place….

 

Maureen Mann

Retired teacher librarian, avid reader and regular presenter at previous short list book discussions.