The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced the winners of the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year Awards.
Find out more about the CBCA Book of the Year Awards and this year's winning titles on the official website!
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
It is a heartwarming and heartbreaking book with beautiful illustrations. Recommend for children aged 9+. Easy grab and read whenever.
Reviewer: Maya, aged 12
Geronimo on Ice by Geronimo Stilton
This book was really AMAZING in my opinion. But warning there is an enorMOUSE amount of mouse puns!
Reviewer: Niki, aged 10
Billie B Brown Series by Sally Rippin
Billie B Brown is perfect for younger readers. Every book is different to the other ones you read. It's relatable and interesting for most readers.
Reviewer: Zoe S, aged 7
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
This book is one of the best fantasy novels by far! Filled with adventures, mystery and a whole lot of magic, Hollowpox is a must read for ages 9+. Don't be put off by the size of the book; you'll never regret reading it until the very end! The way Jessica Townsend describes everything is so unique.
Reviewer: Lucy S, aged 11
Thea Stilton and the Phantom of the Orchestra by Elisabetta Dami
If you like suspenesful, mysterious and amazingly awesome books then this is the book for you!! I just loved the amateur detectives and oh wait I don't want to spoil it for you! All I can say is that this book is worth reading.
Reviewer: Niki, aged 10
Thea Stilton: Dance Challenge by Elisabetta Dami
This book was so good it felt like I was watching a competitive dance show on the television. For people like me who like to create a movie in their head whilst reading this book is the book for you. This book defines the saying reading can be fun!
Reviewer: Niki, aged 10
Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
Was a really good book to teach people about friendship and sharing. I rate it a positive 10/10!
Reviewer: Anisha, aged 7
Thea Stilton: The Secret Notebook by Elisabetta Dami
I loved this book and reccomend it for kids that are around 10-15 years old. If you like the geronimo stilton series you will 99% like this book as it is a spin off to the series. My rating 9/10!
Reviewer: Niki, aged 10
I Can Be... Meg Lanning by Phil Kettle, illustrated by David Dunstan
I recommend other people to read this book because it teaches the tricks and skills that Meg Lanning uses to be a good cricket player and captain. I loved this book a lot because it gives a lot of information about cricket. I rate this book a 10 out of 10.
Reviewer: Aimee B, aged 9
Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
I recommend this book to all ages because this book includes a lot of interesting facts as well as a story. This story it about two children, Frances and Peter who wonder if Santa will come to where they moved, but instead of normal Santa coming on a slay there came a new Santa, flying Santa.
Reviewer: Angel B, aged 12
Akarnae by Lynette Noni
This book was a highly enjoyable read following the adventure of the young teen Alex and her journey through Akarnae. The story had progressed smoothly throughout the entire book building up onto the climax steadily while being entertaining to read. This is fantastic for those who love fantasy.
Reviewer: Bianca Y, aged 15
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda is the best book ever, because it is funny and heart-warming for all ages. Great book.
Reviewer: Eliza W, aged 12
Dork Diaries: Pop Star by Rachel Renée Russell
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I like this book because it shows that you can do anything you want even if you do it at the last minute.
Reviewer: Angelique F, aged 9
Dork Diaries: Once Upon a Dork by Rachel Renée Russell
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I liked this book because Nicki was in multiple fairy tales and went on an adventure.
Reviewer: Anastasia S, aged 10
Malory Towers by Enid Blyton
Malory towers is a wonderful boarding school, I really feel like going into their experience because it sounds so fun with the mischief and adventures! I can't wait to read some more.
Reviewer: Kiyara G, aged 9
Bleakboy and Hunter Stand Out in the Rain by Steven Herrick
I loved this book so much. Bleakboy and Hunter are school enemies. Bleakboy always wears black and attends a non-traditional school with a vegetarian school lunch menu. Hunter is a bully and loves stirring up trouble to get out of school work and find some fun. This is not a simple story though and the characters surprised me, I think this is a sensitively written book and I think a wonderful story that boys will love especially.
The Cleo Stories the Necklace and the Present by Libby Gleeson
This is a lovely read in a chapter book style. It has beautiful illustrations which complement and enhance the simple lines of the story. Girls everywhere will love Cleo and sympathise as she deals with not getting what she wants and coming up with creative ways to get around her problems. The true to life stories will resonate with many young girls, I look forward to reading much more about Cleo and her family.
Wildwood by Colin Meloy
Colin Meloy's first work is titled Wildwood and the name immediately creates a sense of curiosity. There are three books in the Wildwood series, the second named Under Wildwood, and the third is Wildwood Imperium. The first, however, like most things nowadays, is the best by far. Meloy's lovable characters are thrown into a tree-filled and overgrown world after Prue, the heroine of the story, watches crows kidnap her baby brother, and take him into the depths of the Impassable Wilderness. Curtis, the not-so-hero of the story, blunders upon her plans and decides to follow her. Together, they battle talking coyotes, a crazy woman called Alexandra, and the dark presence of the Ivy, all in order to get Mac, Prue's brother, back home safe. I adored the illustrations (drawn by Meloy's wife, Carson Ellis) that add color to the already crazy storyline. I could almost smell the woods as I watched Prue and Curtis attempt to make their way around the coyote guards, the beautiful, almost collage like drawings bringing the mere words to life. Although, it's not only the pictures that make it a wonderful read. Meloy's writing style has been cultivated by being the singer-songwriter of The Decemberists, a band known for its very 'out there' lyrics. The book is no exception for his ingenious craziness, but is tied together well with a vocabulary both juniors and seniors will love. I bought the book when it was published in 2011, aged 12, and I still love it's wonderfully in-depth creativeness.
Reviewer: Josh H, recommended age 12+
Blueback by Tim Winton
Blueback taught me about sustainability. Tim Winton is a great author, he is so creative with his words. You should definitely read blueback.
Reviewer: Ella F, aged 10
Weir Do by Ahn Do
I thought this book was really funny and it entertained me a lot! I had a great time reading it but there were not that many words on each page, the book reminded me of home. I would recommend this book to kids at seven to eleven years of age.
Reviewer: Aden G, aged 10
This book made me laugh a lot. It was fun to read, I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Reviewer: Alastair D, aged 7
No longer available
Every Kid Needs Things That Fly by Ritchie Kinmont
It has lots of things that you can make. I liked the Jet pack and water rocket.
Reviewer: Kadin A, aged 7
Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy
This was even more exciting than other Geronimo Stilton books. It was a great adventure!
Reviewer: Alexander Q, aged 8
The Debt (series) by Phillip Gwynne
Book One : Catch the Zolt
I think that this book was good. It was very action packed. I liked how it was set in Australia and used items known to me. Eg Iphones & MAC. I recommend this book to 13-16 year old kids the lower being advanced and higher normal.
Reviewer: Ethan M, aged 12
Book Two : Turn Off the Lights
I reckon this book was a perfect sequel to the first book. Dom was given an even harder challenge than the first. He completed it on top off normal life for a 15 year old. I would recommend this to advanced 12 year old readers to normal 16 year old reader.
Reviewer: Ethan M, aged 12