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Young People's History Prize
Subcategory of New South Wales Premier's History Prize
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Notes

  • The Premier's Young People's History Prize is for 'a book, film, television or radio program, CD-ROM or website which makes a significant contribution to increasing the historical understanding of children and young people. All entries must be based on sound historical research and encourage further exploration of the past.' Works of fiction as well as non-fiction may be submitted.

    (Source: NSW Premier's History Awards Guidelines)

Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2021

winner y separately published work icon Tell Me Why : The Story of My Life and My Music Archie Roach , Cammeray : Simon and Schuster Australia , 2021 20775966 2021 single work autobiography young adult

'‘There are many Australian stories, and mine is just one about what happened to me and other First Peoples of this country. It’s important for me to tell my story – because it’s not just part of my healing but of this country’s as well. We all have a story and as you read this book I would like you to think of your own story, what that means and who is also a part of your story.’     
 
'In his inspirational, highly acclaimed memoir – and including reflections from First Nations Elders and young people – Archie Roach tells the story of his life and his music. Only two when he was forcibly removed from his family, and brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, Archie’s world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of. It took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was. 
 
'Tell Me Why is an unforgettable story of resilience, strength of spirit and hope.'

Source : publisher's blurb

Year: 2020

winner y separately published work icon The Good Son : A Story from the First World War, Told in Miniature Pierre-Jacques Ober , Jules Ober (illustrator), Alex Mankiewicz (illustrator), Felicity Coonan (illustrator), Massachusetts : Candlewick Press , 2019 15966398 2019 single work graphic novel young adult

'It is Christmastime, 1914, and World War I rages. A young French soldier named Pierre had quietly left his regiment to visit his family for two days, and when he returned, he was imprisoned. Now he faces execution for desertion, and as he waits in isolation, he meditates on big questions: the nature of patriotism, the horrors of war, the joys of friendship, the love of family, and how even in times of danger, there is a whole world inside every one of us. And how sometimes that world is the only refuge. Its publication coinciding with the centennial of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, this moving and sparely narrated story, based on true events, is reenacted in fascinating miniature scenes that convey the emotional complexity of the tale. Notes from the creators explore the innovative process and their personal connection to the story.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2018

winner y separately published work icon The Fighting Stingrays Simon Mitchell , Melbourne : Penguin Books , 2017 11617727 2017 single work children's fiction war literature historical fiction

'Charlie, Masa and Alf are best mates – loyal and adventurous. They’re the Fighting Stingrays.

'In between school, swimming and fishing on idyllic Thursday Island, they have a ripper time role-playing bombing missions and other war games. But when Japan enters World War II, the Fighting Stingrays are told that one of their own is now the real-life enemy.

'Drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the Torres Strait, their friendship and loyalties are tested as the threat of invasion looms closer.'  (Synopsis)

Year: 2016

winner y separately published work icon One Thousand Hills James Roy , Noel Zihabamwe , Parkside : Omnibus Books , 2016 8852809 2016 single work novel young adult

'Agabande, Rwanda, April 1994. The children in the village are doing childlike things, playing with toys they make themselves, going to school and church on Sunday. Doing their chores. But there are whispers and looks, and messages of hate on the radio, and people are leaving. Pascal is a good boy, trying his best, but the world he knows is about to change forever. ' (Publication summary)

Year: 2013

winner y separately published work icon Pennies for Hitler Jackie French , Sydney : Angus and Robertson , 2012 Z1869790 2012 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction

'It′s 1939, and for Georg, son of an English academic living in Germany, life is full of cream cakes and loving parents. It is also a time when his teacher measures the pupils′ heads to see which of them have the most "Aryan"-shaped heads. But when a university graduation ceremony turns into a pro-Nazi demonstration, Georg is smuggled out of Germany to war-torn London and then across enemy seas to Australia where he must forget his past and who he is in order to survive.

'Hatred is contagious, but Georg finds that kindness can be, too. The companion piece to Hitler's Daughter, Pennies for Hitler examines the life of a child during World War 2, from a different perspective.' (From the publisher's website.)

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