2014 Shortlist poster downloads

You can download pdfs of the shortlist posters:

Full Shortlist / Picture Books / Younger Readers / Older Readers / Year 7 to 9

Book Trailers - Year 7 to 9 Shortlist

Seven of the ten shortlisted books for the Year 7 to 9 award have book trailers. Here they are - plus a second imagined movie trailer for one of them. We kick off with that one! If you want to watch in a different order then use the Playlist dropdown at top left of the video.

Shortlist 2014 - Focus on Fiction for Older Readers

Our Older readers' Shortlist has plenty of colour - can you imagine the noise if all these characters got together? But there are a couple of mysterious types there as well. If you are a student up to Year 9 why not give us your opinion on one or two of these titles? Comment below or go to our contact page for email, Twitter or Facebook links.

THE 39-STOREY TREEHOUSE by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton

Andy and Terry's amazing treehouse has 13 new levels and a top secret 39th level that hasn't even been finished yet. A quick peek with Andy | Chapter 1

CON-NERD by Oliver Phommavanh

Connor’s mum wants him to work hard to be a doctor. But what Connor really wants to do is draw crazy cartoons and gruesome dragons that fly off the page. From Oliver | Review | Teachers' Notes

ERIC VALE, EPIC FAIL by Michael Gerard Bauer & Joe Bauer

Ever had a STUPID nickname? A rotten run of bad luck? A best friend who just looks on the bright side even when the bright side looks black? Well Eric Vale’s got all three, and they’re pushing him towards the EPIC-EST of all EPIC FAILS! Trailer | Review | Teacher Notes

MY LIFE AND OTHER STUFF I MADE UP by Tristan Bancks & Gus Gordon

This book is about a boy named Tom Weekly. He has kissed a dog, eaten Vegemite of his sister’s big toe, eaten 67 hotdogs in 10 minutes and much more. This book is full of Tom’s stories, jokes, cartoon characters, ideas for theme park rides and other stuff he has made up. Trailer | Review | Teacher Notes

BROTHERBAND: THE INVADERS by John Flanagan

Hal and the Heron brotherband are on the trail of Zavac and his precious cargo. Will they be able to find the pirates when the weather clears? And when they do, how can they possibly beat the mighty Raven and its crew of vicious cut-throats and killers? Review ! First Chapter 

THE IVORY ROSE by Belinda Murrell

Jemma has just landed her first job, babysitting Sammy. It's in Rosethorne, one of the famous witches' houses near where she lives. Sammy says the house is haunted by a sad little girl, but Jemma doesn't know what to believe. Review ! Teaching Notes 

WEIR-DO by Anh Do

Weir Do's the new kid in school. With an unforgettable name, a crazy family and some seriously weird habits, fitting in won't be easy - but it will be funny! Trailer ! Preview ! Review

POOKIE ALEERA IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND by Steven Herrick

A heart-warming tale about friendship, grief and the importance of baked goods. Set in a country town, in a school where the kids in Class 6A tell their stories. For new teacher Ms Arthur, it’s another world, but for Mr Korsky, the school groundskeeper, he’s seen it all before. Review ! Author Reflection ! Teacher Notes

RANGER'S APPRENTICE: THE ROYAL RANGER by John Flanagan

After a senseless tragedy destroys his life, Will is obsessed with punishing those responsible - even if it means leaving the Ranger Corps. His worried friends must find a way to stop him taking such a dark path. 

It is Halt who suggests the solution: Will must take an apprentice. Series Trailer ! Review ! Preview

SPECKY MAGEE AND THE BEST OF OZ by Felice Arena

Specky has been selected to represent Australia in International Rules, taking on the Irish in a two-test competition in Ireland. Can the boys learn to play with a new set of rules and perfect their skills with the round ball before the Irish team wipes the field with them? Extract ! Review

SHORTLIST 2014 - FOCUS ON FICTION FOR YOUNGER READERS

Find out more about the ten fiction books for younger readers on this year's KOALA Shortlist by clicking on some of the highlighted links for each of the nominated books.

What do you think of the books on the list? Tell us in the comments below. Better still, if you are a young reader - up to Year 9 - then send us your review to contact@koalansw.org.au and we will put it on the blog. 

 

Alice Miranda in Paris by Jacqueline Harvey

This is the seventh book in the Alice Miranda series. Alice and her friends are in Paris to sing at Fashion Week and discover a darker side to the glitz and glamour of this famous city. Aussie Reviews | Read an Excerpt

Andy Roid and the Tracks of Death by Felice Arena

This adventure takes Andy and Judd to Switzerland to find the headquarters of the Blaireau Corporation. Andy's enhanced powers will certainly be needed if this mission is to succeed. Read an Excerpt | About Andy Roid

Billie B. Brown: The Best Project by Sally Rippen

Billie B. Brown's class has a casual teacher for the week. This teacher has decided that the students will build a model city.  Billie has decided on what she wants to make but will she be able to succeed? Read an Excerpt | Meet Billie B. Brown

EJ12: Kimono Code by Susannah McFarlane

Kimono Code was included in the Get Reading! top 50 Books You Can't Put Down list for 2012. Special Agent EJ12 needs to stayed focused if she is to stop the evil agency Shadow sabotaging the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.  Book Outline | Book Description | Author Biography

Extra Time by Morris Gleitzman

Matt, a 13 year old Aussie soccer genius, is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - a tryout with a junior side for a Premier League soccer club. Bridie, his 10 year old sister and manager, goes half way across the world with Matt but she has a very difficult challenge ahead of her - reminding everyone that soccer is meant to be fun! Read and Listen | Kids' Book Review

Extreme Adventures: Monkey Mountain by Justin D'Ath

During a class excursion to see a real-life volcano in Borneo, Sam Fox is thrown into the thick of the action. The volcano erupts with a bang, his teacher has a heart attack and he must fight off blood-thirsty creatures to save the day. Will Sam's trademark ingenuity be enough? Book Review | Read an Excerpt

Go Girl: Style Stars by Chrissie Perry, Sonia Dixon & Danielle McDonald

Casey loves clothes and fashion. Will she be able to create a knockout outfit for the fashion show from items bought from the op-shop? Author Interview 

Meet Grace by Sofie Laguna & Lucia Masciullo

It's the year 1808 in London. Life is very tough for a young orphan named Grace who is responsible for her own survival. When she is caught by the police for thieving apples, will this be the end of her life or a new beginning for Grace? Read an Excerpt | Kids' Book Review

The Third Door by Emily Rodda

Rye and Sonia have survived the perils of The Golden Door and The Silver Door. Drawn to the last remaining door, the Wooden Door, from the very beginning of his quest to save Weld, will Wye have the courage to go through it and face the challenges that await him? Teaching Notes | Kirkus Reviews

The Wishbird by Gabrielle Wang

In this moving tale of courage, friendship and magic we met Oriole, a young orphan girl raised by Mellow, a Wishbird, in the Forest of Birds and Boy, a street urchin. Mellow is dying and Oriole must travel to the City of Soulless to try and save him. This is where her story and destiny becomes entwined with Boy's.  Listen to a Reading | Author Interview | Teaching Notes

Shortlist 2014 - Focus on Picture Books

Below are some links to help you find out more about the ten picture books on this year's KOALA Shortlist. What do you think of the books on the list? Tell us in the comments below. Better still, if you are a young reader - up to Year 9 - then send us your review to contact@koalansw.org.au and we will put it on the blog.

A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham

The discovery of an old derelict bus named 'Heaven' outside Stella's house, brings a community together for a common good. But then, one day the bus is towed away. Will Stella manage to save the day?  Teaching Notes | Kids' Book Review

Alphabet Town by Bryan Evans & Kimberly Moon

This is a delightful story of curiosity and imagination set in a place called Knowledge. In one little town live Numbers and in another little town live Letters. When a disheartened Zero and an unemployed Spot the Dot meet, they discover that everyone does indeed have a purpose.  Book Trailer |  ReadPlus Review

Annie to the Rescue by Deborah Niland 

Daring Annie is back in this story of adventure and courage. When Callisto the cat, gets stuck in a tree it is Annie to the rescue. But will Annie be brave enough to save herself? Teaching Notes | Illustrations Up Close

Fiona the Pig's Big Day by Leigh Hobbs 

It is the first day of school and everyone is excited including Fiona the Pig. But why are her parents so sad? Will Mr & Mrs Pig survive Fiona the Pig's Big Day at school? Meet Fiona | Teaching Notes

First Day by Andrew Daddo & Jonathan Bentley 

Everyone is nervous about the first day of school. It will be fun. You'll meet new friends. New BFFs! But who is more nervous about the first day? Kids' Book Review | Author Interview

Noah Dreary by Aaron Blabey 

Noah Dreary loved to complain! One day he complained so much his head fell off. But still Noah complained..... until one day a terrible event happened. That's when things began to change. Inside the Book | Book Review

The Dreadful Fluff by Aaron Blabey 

Serenity Strainer thought that her life was perfect until one Saturday morning she made a perfectly dreadful discovery - evil belly button fluff!  Book Trailer | Inside the Book | Teaching Notes 

The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky & Andrew Joyner 

An unexplained noise causes panic among the forest animals. As the animals try to get away from the Terrible PLOP! only the littlest rabbit finds the courage to face this fear and have the last laugh. Ursula Dubosarsky Reads The Terrible Plop | Andrew Joyner Draws the Bear | Kirkus Reviews 

The Very Brave Bear by Nick Bland

The Very Cranky Bear is back with a new adventure. This time he faces off with Boris Buffalo in a contest to see who is the bravest. But an unexpected surprise has both of them running through the jingle jangle jungle in fear! Read an Excerpt | ReadPlus Review 

Too Many Cheeky Dogs by Johanna Bell & Dion Beasley 

Set in a remote Indigeous community, this is a quirky story about a pack of pesky dogs. Each day our narrator encounters an increasing number of cheeky dogs in various locations. Kids' Book Review | Too Many Cheeky Dogs Website