Stolen Generations verse novel shortlisted for CBCA Book Award
Sister Heart by Sally Morgan has been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year. The awards, which are celebrating their 70th year, are the most influential and highly respected in Australia.
Morgan said there were some fantastic writers for children and young adults in Australia, so it was an honour for Sister Heart to be shortlisted.
‘It’s important that we talk to our young people about the Stolen Generations and the impact past government policies had on individuals, families and communities. Making the CBCA shortlist will bring the story of Sister Heart to a broader audience and, along with other books written by Indigenous people, help to make that conversation possible,’ said Morgan.
Children’s publisher Cate Sutherland said Sister Heart was one of the most rewarding books she’s worked on in her 20-year career.
‘It’s a book that’s deceptively simple – it’s intricately crafted, it’s beautiful, it’s powerful and it should be required reading for all Australian children,’ said Sutherland.
Bella and the Wandering House by Meg McKinlay made the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Notable list, as did books by Fremantle Press authors Ezekiel Kwaymullina, James Foley, Bronwyn Bancroft and Dianne Touchell – making it a big year for Western Australian authors. McKinlay and Foley also made the shortlist for their books A Single Stone and My Dead Bunny.
In 1946 the CBCA established annual book awards to promote books of high literary and artistic quality, support and encourage Australian writers and illustrators, and celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature. The winners will be announced on Friday 19 August.