Our hosts will bring a new episode to you every two weeks. They will be joined by young readers in conversation with the creators of the CBCA Shortlisted books in the 2026 Older and Younger Reader Book of the Year categories.
This project was made possible by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Host Poppy and young reader Arwa discuss We Saw What You Started with author Carla Salmon. We Saw What You Started is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- Three deadly fires. One suspect. A thriller of surf and sea. Otto was a star surfer back in California, but now he just wants a fresh start. When fires break out in Red Sands, the locals are suspicious. It's no coincidence that Otto's at the scene every time. Is it? Milly isn't so sure. Small town talk...
13 Jul 2026
Spirit of the Crocodile
Host Mia Henderson and young reader Eva discuss Spirit of the Crocodile with authors Aaron Fa'Aoso, Michelle Scott Tucker and Lyn White. Spirit of the Crocodile is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. — The crocodile's eyes were yellow, slit by a vertical pupil. The creature remained perfectly still, but it throbbed with life. Ezra felt goosebumps in spite of the afternoon heat, and took a few steps back. 'Is that thing looking at you?' asked Mason. 'Nah....
29 Jun 2026
Inked
Host Mia and young reader Ainsley discuss Inked with author Karen Wasson and illustrator Jake A Minton. Inked is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. — When 12-year-old Sid discovers a talking octopus in his family’s fish shop, he is shocked – and annoyed. Otto the octopus is cheeky, demanding, and won’t leave Sid alone until he helps Otto get to the ocean … roughly 300 kilometres away! But Sid has bigger fish to fry. He has to figure out how to get into...
29 Jun 2026
Unhallowed Halls
Host Poppy and young reader Raph discuss Unhallowed Halls with author Lili Wilkinson. Unhallowed Halls is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. She's too smart, too quiet, too weird. And after the deadly incident that destroyed her only friendship at her old school, she needs a fresh start. Agathion College is everything Page has ever wanted: a safe haven of wood-panelled halls and dusty books, on a remote Scotti...
15 Jun 2026
This Stays Between Us
Host Poppy discusses This Stays Between Us with author Margot McGovern. This Stays Between Us is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- Margot McGovern's homage to 90s horror films and final girls will keep you on the edge of your seat. Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat - in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt the isolated campers. Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past. Mack made things awkward b...
15 Jun 2026
Little Bones
Host Mia Henderson and young reader Gabriella discuss Little Bones with author Sandy Bigna. Little Bones is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. -- A unique and lyrical verse novel for middle-grade readers that speaks to our childhood joy of collecting small, intriguing objects and creating connections in the most unlikely places. Since the death of her brother, eleven-year-old Bones spends her time drawing animal skeletons and scavenging for dead things...
1 Jun 2026
The Paperbark Tree Committee
Host Mia Henderson and young reader Ruby discuss The Paperbark Tree Committee with author Karys McEwen. The Paperbark Tree Committee is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. -- Twelve-year-old Art and his younger brother Hilary are great friends, best friends. When they move to Melbourne from a small town in Queensland things seem to be easy for Hilary, who is still in primary school, but Art struggles to fit in, and he's become a target for school bully J...
1 Jun 2026
Of Flame and Fury
Host Poppy and young reader Bonnie discuss Of Flame and Fury with author Mikayla Bridge. Of Flame and Fury is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- A fiery alliance. An explosive secret. The race is on. Phoenix racing: it's profitable, it's deadly. No one knows this better than Kel Varra and her crew, the Crimson Howlers. They live on the edge of survival. When a mysterious tech billionaire offers them a place at his training facility, it gives them hope...
18 May 2026
Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces
Host Mia and young reader Wilbur discuss Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces with author Sally Barton. Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. - Tim Mulligan lives at 25 Rufus Street. You might be surprised to know that is his name, because most people think his name is Tim Tie-your-shoelaces. But no matter how many people tell him, or how often, Tim never ties his shoelaces. One morning, just as Tim was l...
18 May 2026
Golden
Host Poppy and young reader Kara discuss Golden with author Jade Timms. Golden is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. – Golden is a warm-hearted optimistic story about friends and friendship and art and beauty – and the power of letting yourself be loved… When you work in the juice bar of your small coastal town. When your twin brother is the fun one with all the friends. When something happened three years ago that you can’t talk about, but everything mak...
4 May 2026
Darkest Night, Brightest Star
Host Poppy Holden and young reader Talin discuss Darkest Night, Brightest Star with author Barry Jonsberg. Darkest Night, Brightest Star is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. – Two things that are true and one that is a lie: I think my mother is dead and alive. I think if I work hard I will be very good at something. I've tried to please my dad but I don't think I ever will. Thirteen-year-old Morgan lives with his dad and his older brother, Mitch. He has...
4 May 2026
Run
Host Mia Henderson and young reader Alex discuss Run with author Sarah Armstrong. Run is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. – Cas ran away to escape his problems. Now, he may have to run for his life. For fans of Tristan Bancks and Katherine Rundell comes this electrifying middle-grade novel about a twelve-year-old called Cas, who runs away to avoid a reunion with his estranged father. Cas soon finds himself lost in the wilderness, completely alone and ...
3 May 2026
Welcome from Poppy
Join Poppu to explore the Shortlisted titles from the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Older Readers category. Poppy will be joined by young readers and the books' creators along the way.
3 May 2026
Welcome from Mia
Join Mia to explore the Shortlisted titles from the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Younger Readers category. Mia will be joined by young readers and the books' creators along the way.
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