Fuller, Woods win 2020 Readings YA, children’s book prizes
Readings has announced the winners of its YA and children’s book prizes for 2020.
Lisa Fuller was named the winner of the Readings Young Adult Book Prize for her debut novel Ghost Bird (UQP), a thriller set in country Australia against a backdrop of family relationships, small-town grudges and casual racism.
Chosen from a shortlist of six, Fuller’s novel ‘probes the deep tears in Australian culture, in its peoples and lands’, according to prize judge Bec Kavanagh. ‘In the forbidden depths of the mountain lies something powerful and terrifying, something that—when disrespected—will come out of the darkness to eat you alive. This is a book that will get under your skin, in more ways than one.’
Matilda Woods was named the winner of the 2020 Readings Children’s Book Prize for her novel The Girl, the Cat and the Navigator (Scholastic). Woods’ book was chosen from a shortlist announced in February.
The judging panel said, ‘Reminiscent of a classic folktale, this versatile and beautifully packaged book features vivid illustrations from artist Anuska Allepuz. … We were unanimous in our love for this book. Woods has crafted a timeless fairytale that pays tribute to bravery, kindness, and the power of making your own family.’
The winners of each prize usually receive $3000. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic Readings is unable to offer prize money for any of its three prizes in 2020. Read the full judges’ reports for Ghost Bird and The Girl, the Cat and the Navigator on the Readings blog.
Category: Awards Junior Local news
