Author Archives: timthelibrarian

There have been some great novels shortlisted recently that are set in the Victorian era. Tensy Farlow and the home for mislaid children and Doug MacLeod’s fantastic The life of a teenage body-snatcher both come to mind. Apparently they fall … Continue reading →

It seems that I am completely alone in my lukewarm feelings about this book. According to this blog about the process of writing The last Viking, the book has been shortlisted for an impressive number of awards and earlier this … Continue reading →

Amy and Louis deservedly won the Picture Story Book category in 2007 and so it should have because it is one of the best picture story books of all time. Their follow-up in Clancy and Millie was less spectacular. Fortunately, … Continue reading →

Spoiler alert: this review excessively implies the ending. With the drought officially broken last month it seems that this fun little book is a bit too late. That being said, maybe we should see Emily Rodda’s contribution to the shortlist … Continue reading →

Fans of my earlier work will know that I think this book is going to win the CBCA Book of the Year Award this year and here is why: Dubosarsky has written impressively in the past melding personal drama with … Continue reading →

You know that Jackie French would have to stuff up a book pretty badly not to get shortlisted but one author who consistently earns his guernsey in the list is Scot Gardner. His experiences as a counselor and tech teacher … Continue reading →

As a former child himself, I understand, Robert Newton has an ability to write stories about Aussie kids in an extremely authentic manner. When we were two follows the story of two brothers fleeing from an abusive home. The story … Continue reading →

From the moment that I began to read this book I was off. McGahan’s writing style has that ability to transport you so deeply into the world of the character that you can’t help but daydream. His experiences of packing … Continue reading →

Over the next few months I am hijacking the blog to spout my opinion on books featured on the CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist. The old eLearning stuff will still be up here and accessible by the links on … Continue reading →