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History

Formally Perth Independent Newspapers' Young Adults Award

Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2016

winner y separately published work icon The Protected Claire Zorn , St Lucia : University of Queensland Press , 2014 7329687 2014 single work novel young adult (taught in 2 units)

'A compulsively readable novel from the acclaimed author of The Sky So Heavy.

'The worst thing that could happen would be for my life to go back to how it was before Katie died.

'Hannah's world has imploded, all thanks to her older sister Katie. Her mum is depressed, her dad's injured and she has to go to compulsory therapy sessions. Hannah should feel terrible but for the first time in ages, she feels a glimmer of hope and isn't afraid anymore. Is it because the elusive Josh is taking an interest in her? Or does it run deeper than that?

'In a family torn apart by guilt, one girl's struggle to come to terms with years of harassment shows how deep previous scars can run.

'The Protected is an honest and searing portrayal of loss and grief that conveys the repercussions of bullying to the modern-day teenager.' (Publication summary)

Year: 2014

winner y separately published work icon Alex as Well Alyssa Brugman , Melbourne : Text Publishing , 2013 Z1908619 2013 single work novel young adult (taught in 1 units)

'What do you do when everybody says you're someone you're not?

'Alex wants change. Massive change. More radical than you could imagine.

'Her mother is not happy, in fact she's imploding. Her dad walked out.

'Alex has turned vegetarian, ditched one school, enrolled in another, thrown out her clothes. And created a new identity. An identity that changes her world.

'And Alex—the other Alex—has a lot to say about it.

'Alex As Well is a confronting and heartfelt story of adolescent experience—of questioning identity, discovering sexuality, navigating friendships and finding a place to belong. Alex is a strong, vulnerable, confident, shy and determined character, one you will never forget.

'With the same tenderness and insight as YA stars such as John Green and David Levithan, Alyssa Brugman has crafted a knockout story about identity, sexuality and family that speaks effortlessly to a universal teen experience.' (Publisher's blurb)

Year: 2012

winner y separately published work icon Sea Hearts Margo Lanagan , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2012 Z1836289 2012 single work novel fantasy young adult (taught in 4 units)

'On remote Rollrock Island, the sea-witch Misskaella discovers she can draw a girl from the heart of a seal. So, for a price, any man might buy himself a bride; an irresistibly enchanting sea-wife. But what cost will be borne by the people of Rollrock - the men, the women, the children - once Misskaella sets her heart on doing such a thing?'

Source: Publisher's website.

Year: 2011

winner y separately published work icon Only Ever Always Penni Russon , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2011 Z1811624 2011 single work novel young adult fantasy 'Claire lives in an ordinary world where everything is whole. But inside Claire is broken. The silvery notes of her music box allow her an escape from her grief into a dream-world, into Clara's world.

Clara's world has always been broken. She finds broken things to swap at the markets; she walks the treacherous route past the brown river where lone dogs prowl; she avoids the seamy side when she can, but with powerful people pulling the strings, it's not always possible.

Which world is real?

Claire's and Clara's paths are set to collide, and each has much to lose - or gain.' (Publisher's blurb)

Year: 2010

joint winner y separately published work icon Anonymity Jones James Roy , North Sydney : Woolshed Press , 2010 Z1677753 2010 single work novel young adult

'Once, in a street not very far from yours, there lived a girl called Anonymity Jones.

'Anonymity's life is falling apart. Her father has left to have a mid-life crisis, her mother's new boyfriend is a definite worry, her Europe-bound sister has changed her name (just to make a point) and all her girl friends are now girlfriends, with boyfriends.

'And then there's the art teacher.

'Anonymity is losing control, and it's decision time. Does she hang on, get out, or get even?' (From the publisher's website.)

Joint winner with Scot Gardner's Happy as Larry.
joint winner y separately published work icon Happy as Larry Scot Gardner , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2010 Z1702469 2010 single work novel young adult

'Laurence Augustine Rainbow is born into an ordinary family, and seems set for an ordinary life. But as the world changes around him, so does the happiness of his own family.

'Unique, dark and ultimately uplifting, this is a beautiful story of one family - and one boy - trying to hold their heads above water in a world quietly gone mad.' (from the publisher's website.)

Joint winner with James Roy's Anonymity Jones.
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