CBCA Shadow Judging Podcast

The Children's Book Council of Australia

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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.

6 gg fa

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 but also forces Kel to team up with Coup, her arrogant, infuriating rival. Embroiled in political scheming, volatile phoenix magic and a smouldering romance, Kel and Coup discover a conspiracy that threatens them all. For in this world of extreme stakes, there are two options only: win or burn.

18 min
6 gg fa

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 Jack. His dad is too busy to give him much attention, but Art has his stepmum, Sally, who is always ready to listen. And there's the paperbark tree. Art and Hilary climb into its branches and hold a secret meeting whenever they need to sort things out. The only problem is Art's not sure he still wants to be part of the paperbark tree committee. He's getting older and he thinks he needs to solve his problems on his own. The Paperbark Tree Committee is a heartfelt story about growing up and leaving childhood behind; it's about family and being a good brother, fitting in and finding friends, and about making mistakes and learning from them.

12 min
18 mag

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 makes you remember it. When it might have been all your fault. When going to the beach, to that beach, takes all the air out of your lungs. When the new guy in town, the one who makes you feel like you’re charged with electricity, seems to want to hang out with you. When it comes time to let your friends back in.

15 min
18 mag

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 leaving for school, his mum called, ‘Tim! Tie your shoelaces. Something terrible could happen!’ This is the story of the something terrible that did. Sally Barton weaves a tale of mayhem, mess and beasties, in this flip-flappin’ street-slappin’ first installment of the terrible things that happen in Rufus Street.

12 min
4 mag

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 hasn't heard from his mum since she left when he was two. He works hard on his football skills, striving to meet his father's high expectations and 'be a man'. But what that means isn't always clear-cut. When Morgan makes a friend at school, gets injured in a game, and his long-lost mum turns up, everything changes. Then, when he meets an old woman in need of help, Morgan must decide what kind of man he wants to be. Shining a timely and much-needed light on different kinds of masculinity, Darkest Night, Brightest Star is a unique and compelling novel from a masterful storyteller.

17 min
4 mag

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 without help. Or is he? Cas thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn’t count on getting hopelessly lost in the tangled Australian bush. Alone and afraid, Cas has given up all hope of rescue when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness. He won’t survive without their help. But when he discovers they’re also on the run – from something so big, they won’t even talk about it – he realises his problems are just beginning …

15 min
3 mag

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.

2 min
3 mag

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.

1 min

8 puntate

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.

Creatore

The Children's Book Council of Australia
Anni di attività

2K
Puntate

8
Classificazione

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Copyright

© 2026 The Children's Book Council of Australia
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CBCA Shadow Judging Podcast
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