Sister Heart is a 2016 CBCA honour book

Sally Morgan received award recognition for the second time this week with the announcement that her verse novel Sister Heart is an honour book for older readers in the 2016 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Awards. It follows the book’s shortlisting for a Gold Inky, which was announced on Monday.

From 400 entries one CBCA winner and two honour books were announced in each of the five categories.

‘There are many outstanding writers for children and young people in Australia, so I’m really happy Sister Heart is an honour book for the CBCA Awards,’ said Morgan.

Sister Heart tells the story of a young girl named Annie, who is taken from her family and country and placed in an institution for Aboriginal children. Morgan described writing a verse novel as a huge learning curve.

‘The biggest motivating factor for me in writing is simply that I like to tell stories. Everyone has a story to tell. Having a huge diversity of stories to listen to, read out loud, and look at in pictures helps to break down barriers between people and enriches the world,’ said Morgan.

The CBCA’s annual book awards were established 70 years ago to promote children’s books of high literary and artistic quality. They continue to be one of Australia’s most influential and highly respected book awards.

Sister Heart, which was also shortlisted for a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, is published by Fremantle Press. It is available in all good bookstores and online.