CBCA Shadow Judging Podcast

Host Poppy and young reader Raph discuss Unhallowed Halls with author Lili Wilkinson. Unhallowed Halls is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. She's too smart, too quiet, too weird. And after the deadly incident that destroyed her only friendship at her old school, she needs a fresh start. Agathion College is ev...

Host Mia and young reader Ainsley discuss Inked with author Karen Wasson and illustrator Jake A Minton. Inked is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. — When 12-year-old Sid discovers a talking octopus in his family’s fish shop, he is shocked – and annoyed. Otto the octopus is cheeky, demanding, and won’t leave Sid alone until he helps Otto get to the ocean … r...

Host Mia Henderson and young reader Gabriella discuss Little Bones with author Sandy Bigna. Little Bones is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. -- A unique and lyrical verse novel for middle-grade readers that speaks to our childhood joy of collecting small, intriguing objects and creating connections in the most unlikely places. Since the death of her brothe...

Host Poppy discusses This Stays Between Us with author Margot McGovern. This Stays Between Us is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- Margot McGovern's homage to 90s horror films and final girls will keep you on the edge of your seat. Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat - in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt...

Host Mia Henderson and young reader Ruby discuss The Paperbark Tree Committee with author Karys McEwen. The Paperbark Tree Committee is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. -- Twelve-year-old Art and his younger brother Hilary are great friends, best friends. When they move to Melbourne from a small town in Queensland things seem to be easy for Hilary, who is...

Host Poppy and young reader Bonnie discuss Of Flame and Fury with author Mikayla Bridge. Of Flame and Fury is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. -- A fiery alliance. An explosive secret. The race is on. Phoenix racing: it's profitable, it's deadly. No one knows this better than Kel Varra and her crew, the Crimson Howlers. They live on the edge of sur...

Host Mia and young reader Wilbur discuss Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces with author Sally Barton. Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. - Tim Mulligan lives at 25 Rufus Street. You might be surprised to know that is his name, because most people think his name is Tim Tie-your-shoelaces. But no matter how...

Host Poppy and young reader Kara discuss Golden with author Jade Timms. Golden is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. – Golden is a warm-hearted optimistic story about friends and friendship and art and beauty – and the power of letting yourself be loved… When you work in the juice bar of your small coastal town. When your twin brother is the fun one with all t...

Host Mia Henderson and young reader Alex discuss Run with author Sarah Armstrong. Run is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers. – Cas ran away to escape his problems. Now, he may have to run for his life. For fans of Tristan Bancks and Katherine Rundell comes this electrifying middle-grade novel about a twelve-year-old called Cas, who runs away to avoid a reunio...

Host Poppy Holden and young reader Talin discuss Darkest Night, Brightest Star with author Barry Jonsberg. Darkest Night, Brightest Star is Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Older Readers. – Two things that are true and one that is a lie: I think my mother is dead and alive. I think if I work hard I will be very good at something. I've tried to please my dad but I don&...

Join Mia to explore the Shortlisted titles from the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Younger Readers category. Mia will be joined by young readers and the books' creators along the way.

Join Poppu to explore the Shortlisted titles from the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Older Readers category. Poppy will be joined by young readers and the books' creators along the way.