Cristy Burne’s junior novel, Off the Track, voted into top spot by WA’s young readers
Cristy Burne’s book, Off the Track, has been voted WA’s favourite book by the state’s young readers. Cristy beat out the Wimpy Kid, David Walliams, Tom Gates and Ahn Do to take the 2022 West Australian Young Readers Book Award for Younger Readers. Some 26,000 votes were cast by WA readers across four categories.
Cristy said, ‘Off the Track was published way back in 2018, so I’m happy-dancing-to-the-max that this year, in the wake of Covid and lockdown and war, this quiet story – of family adventure and hiking in the bush and finding out what it means to be courageous – has found so many readers.’
Set on WA’s iconic Bibbulmun Track, Off the Track is all about heading out of range – misplacing your technology and losing your way in order to discover which path truly matters. Cristy said, ‘Off the Track is an adventure that celebrates getting back to nature, and the joy of family hikes and of being outside. I love hiking on the Bibb, so it’s a huge buzz to see this story connecting with so many young readers.’
This month Cristy who was also announced as the 2023 Children’s Writer in Residence at Deakin University.
Supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and the School of Communication and Creative Arts at Deakin University, the residency will provide Cristy a stipend to complete a major work, a one-week author tour in regional Victoria and will culminate with an online event with the Australian Children’s Laureate.
Cristy said, ‘I’m still pinching myself. This residency is an extraordinary opportunity to learn and do and create and teach and share and I’m so grateful. I can’t wait to work with the team at Deakin to push my writing into new spaces.’
A writer of children’s fiction and non-fiction, Cristy has published 11 books – including two CBCA Notables. She is passionate about empowering our next generation of creative, science-savvy citizens.
Her books with Fremantle Press – Beneath the Trees, To the Lighthouse and Off the Track – are available in all good bookstores and online.
