Book bites: a NSW Premier's Reading Challenge podcast for students

Listen @ The Arts Unit
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One chapter. One book. One bite-sized reading to get you hooked! Struggling to find a book you’ll love or not sure what to read next? Take a bite-sized listen to your next favourite read! In Book bites, Australian authors read the first chapter of books featured on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge book lists. Episodes span the 3–4, 5–6, 7–9 and 9Plus lists, so there’s something for junior fiction, middle grade and young adult readers alike. Each episode includes classroom-ready resources, making Book bites perfect for schools and curious readers everywhere.

  1. 7–9 book list - 08. Wandering Wild – Lynette Noni

    2d ago

    7–9 book list - 08. Wandering Wild – Lynette Noni

    In this episode of Book bites, we listen to the prologue of the audiobook ‘Wandering Wild’ written by Lynette Noni and narrated by Nikki Thomas and Heath Miller. This book features on the 7–9 book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026! Visit Listen @ The Arts Unit – NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge to access classroom-ready resources associated with this episode. You can access the classroom-ready resource for this specific episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Author website: lynettenoni.com Publisher website: penguin.com.au PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html ‘Wandering Wild’: Text copyright © Lynette Noni, 2025. Illustration copyright © Anna Kupstova, 2025. First published by Penguin Random House Australia. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Penguin Random House Australia. Background music licensed by Envato Elements. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2026.

    4 min
  2. 5–6 book list - 23. Eione – Claire Catacouzinos

    Mar 29

    5–6 book list - 23. Eione – Claire Catacouzinos

    In this episode of Book bites, Claire Catacouzinos reads her short story ‘Eione’. This story was featured in Issue 5 of Orbit from The School Magazine in June 2024. All issues of Orbit feature on the 5–6 book list, so if you enjoyed this story, there’s plenty more to explore! If you read the rest of this or any other issue of Orbit, make sure you add it to your online reading record! The School Magazine team has also provided an unillustrated PDF of this story and the accompanying lesson plan, which you can access for free via the links below. Please note these replace the standard Book bitesclassroom resources.    About The School Magazine The School Magazine, Australia’s most loved and longest-running literary publication for children, has four different magazines: Countdown for Year 3Blast Off for Year 4Orbit for Year 5Touchdown for Year 6Every magazine has 10 issues published every year and features a variety of text types, including short stories, poems, plays and articles all accompanied by curriculum-aligned lesson plans and teaching resources. The School Magazine offers schools and individuals print and digital subscriptions that you can preview here: https://www.theschoolmagazine.com.au/magazines Every issue of The School Magazine features on one of the PRC book lists: Countdown: 3 –4 Blast Off: 3 –4 Orbit: 5–6Touchdown: 5–6  Visit theschoolmagazine.com.au for more information. Resources for this episode: Eione PDF text download: https://assets.theschoolmagazine.com.au/assets/OR52024_CC_Eione_SAMPLE.pdf Eione lesson plan teaching resource: https://www.theschoolmagazine.com.au/learning-resources/eione The School Magazine links Website: https://www.theschoolmagazine.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolmagazine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolmagazine# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolmag PRC Booklists: https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html   Eione: Text copyright © The School Magazine 2024. First published by The School Magazine. This excerpt is used by arrangement with The School Magazine. Copyright, NSW Department of Education, 2026.

    13 min
  3. 5–6 book list - 22. Little Bones – Sandy Bigna

    Mar 29

    5–6 book list - 22. Little Bones – Sandy Bigna

    In this episode of Book bites, Sandy Bigna reads the first chapter of ‘Little Bones’. This book features on the 5–6 book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026! Visit Listen @ The Arts Unit – NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge to access classroom-ready resources associated with this episode. You can access the classroom-ready resource for this specific episode ⁠⁠here⁠. Publisher website: uqp.com.au PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html ‘Little Bones’: Text copyright © Sandy Bigna, 2025. Illustration copyright © Tamlyn Teow and Madeline Wilson-Byrne, 2025. First published by University of Queensland Press. This excerpt is used by arrangement with University of Queensland Press. Background music licensed by Envato Elements. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2026.

    17 min
  4. 5–6 book list - 21. We Are Wolves – Katrina Nannestad

    Mar 29

    5–6 book list - 21. We Are Wolves – Katrina Nannestad

    In this episode of Book bites, Katrina Nannestad reads the first chapter of ‘We Are Wolves’. This book features on the 5–6 book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026! Visit Listen @ The Arts Unit – NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge to access classroom-ready resources associated with this  episode. You can access the classroom-ready resource for this specific episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Author website: katrinanannestad.com Publisher website: harpercollins.com.au PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html ‘We Are Wolves’: Text copyright © Katrina Nannestad, 2020. Illustration copyright © Martina Heiduczek, 2020. First published by HarperCollins Australia. This excerpt is used by arrangement with HarperCollins Australia. Background music licensed by Envato Elements. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2026.

    13 min
  5. 3–4 book list - 12. Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria – L.M. Wilkinson

    Mar 29

    3–4 book list - 12. Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria – L.M. Wilkinson

    In this episode of Book bites, Lili Wilkinson reads the first chapter of ‘Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria’. This book features on the 3–4 book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026! Visit Listen @ The Arts Unit – NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge to access classroom-ready resources associated with this episode. You can access the classroom-ready resource for this specific episode ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Author website: https://www.liliwilkinson.com.au/  Publisher website: https://www.allenandunwin.com/  PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html ‘Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria’: Text copyright © Lili Wilkinson, 2025. Illustration copyright © Lavanya Naidu, 2025. First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin. Background music licensed by Envato Elements. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2026.

    10 min
  6. 3–4 book list - 11. When Hatchlings Take Off! (from Countdown) – Claire Catacouzinos

    Mar 29

    3–4 book list - 11. When Hatchlings Take Off! (from Countdown) – Claire Catacouzinos

    In this episode of Book bites, Claire Catacouzinos reads her article 'When Hatchlings Take off'. This story was featured in Issue 7 of Countdown from The School Magazine in 2023. All issues of Countdown feature on the 3–4 book list, so if you enjoyed this article, there’s plenty more to explore! If you read the rest of this or any other issue of Countdown, make sure you add it to your online reading record! The School Magazine team has also provided an unillustrated PDF of this article and the accompanying lesson plan, which you can access for free via the links below. Please note these replace the standard Book bites classroom resources. About The School Magazine The School Magazine, Australia’s most loved and longest-running literary publication for children, has four different magazines: Countdown for Year 3Blast Off for Year 4Orbit for Year 5Touchdown for Year 6Every magazine has 10 issues published every year and feature a variety of text types, including short stories, poems, plays and articles all accompanied by curriculum-aligned lesson plans and teaching resources. The School Magazine offers schools and individuals print and digital subscriptions that you can preview here: https://www.theschoolmagazine.com.au/magazines Every issue of The School Magazine features on one of the PRC book lists: Countdown: 3 –4 Blast Off: 3 –4 Orbit: 5–6  Touchdown: 5–6  Visit theschoolmagazine.com.au for more information. Resources for this episode: When Hatchlings Take Off! Full text PDF: CD-07-2023-CC-when-hatchlings-take-off-sample-text.pdf When Hatchlings Take Off! Lesson plan: theschoolmagazine.com.au/learning-resources/when-hatchlings-take-off Website: https://www.theschoolmagazine.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolmagazine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolmagazine# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolmag PRC Booklists: https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html When Hatchlings Take Off: Text copyright © The School Magazine 2023. First published by The School Magazine. This excerpt is used by arrangement with The School Magazine. Copyright, NSW Department of Education, 2026.

    8 min
  7. 7–9 book list - 11. If You Tell Anyone, You're Next – Jack Heath

    Mar 29

    7–9 book list - 11. If You Tell Anyone, You're Next – Jack Heath

    In this episode of Book bites, Jack Heath reads the first chapter of ‘If You Tell Anyone, You're Next’’. This book features on the 7–9 book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026! Visit Listen @ The Arts Unit – NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge to access classroom-ready resources associated with this episode. You can access the classroom-ready resource for this specific episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Author website: https://jackheathwriter.com/  Publisher website: scholastic.com.au  PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html ‘If You Tell Anyone, You're Next’’ Text copyright © Jack Heath, 2023. First published by Scholastic Australia. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Scholastic Australia. Background music licensed by Envato Elements. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2026.

    8 min
  8. 7–9 book list - 10. Spy Academy #1: The Peak – Jack Heath

    Mar 29

    7–9 book list - 10. Spy Academy #1: The Peak – Jack Heath

    In this episode of Book bites, Jack Heath reads the first chapter of ‘Spy Academy #1: The Peak’. This book features on the 7–9 book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026! Visit Listen @ The Arts Unit – NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge to access classroom-ready resources associated with this episode. You can access the classroom-ready resource for this specific episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Author website: https://jackheathwriter.com/  Publisher website: scholastic.com.au  PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html ‘Spy Academy #1: The Peak’ Text copyright © Jack Heath, 2024. First published by Scholastic Australia. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Scholastic Australia. Background music licensed by Envato Elements. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2026.

    10 min
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One chapter. One book. One bite-sized reading to get you hooked! Struggling to find a book you’ll love or not sure what to read next? Take a bite-sized listen to your next favourite read! In Book bites, Australian authors read the first chapter of books featured on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge book lists. Episodes span the 3–4, 5–6, 7–9 and 9Plus lists, so there’s something for junior fiction, middle grade and young adult readers alike. Each episode includes classroom-ready resources, making Book bites perfect for schools and curious readers everywhere.

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