Eta Draconis and Borderland have been named in the 2024 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers Notables.
UWA Publishing congratulates Brendan Ritchie, author of Eta Draconis, and Graham Akhurst, author of Borderland for their books being listed of the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year for Older Readers Notable list.
From the judges
'In what reads as an allegory for COVID, the lyrical, introspective style of this novel depicts a half-formed moorlessness that will speak deeply to young people whose lives changed so drastically in 2020. Anchored with a strong sense of place, the atmospheric tone is bleak, but ultimately offers a hopeful note. Elora’s character rings rawly true; at times, she’s thoughtful and reflective, and in the next moment, achingly young and unworldly. This is a very literary story but with a character-driven focus that appeals, with coming-of age themes that quite literally showcase a young person’s changing reliance from family to the wider world. The actions of the characters are believable and authentic - people respond in strange ways in a crisis, and a slow apocalypse, one in which you literally have no control over anything but how you choose to live your life, would bring out the extremes of these behaviours.'
'With demonstrably local storytelling furnished through a strong First Nations voice and purpose, this gothic horror debut has a lot to say. Told with sparse writing that draws the reader in and maintains a grip, Akhurst paints a vivid picture of the Queensland outback through the eyes of a city-born Indigenous teen experiencing his first connection to his Country. Facing both supernatural and all-too-human challenges, the characters are thrown into a subtly creepy adventure that provides the reader with chills and heart-pounding action alongside a strong coming-of-age journey. With a unique concept and much to unpack in the pages, this is an excellent example of authentic Australian storytelling for the upper secondary range of the readership.'
Congratulations Brendan and Graham!
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