Just me, listing some of my favourite Aussie YA authors and books
I grew up devouring Aussie YA and as I grew out of the YA age, it was my fave Aussie authors who kept me coming back to the genre ~ so much talent in our nation, hey. Aussie teens are blessed and I am insanely proud of the thriving Aussie YA scene we have.
This is not a complete list (constantly evolving) and it's completely biased towards my favourites ~ books I am nostalgic about and books I have recently met and fallen in love with <3
Randa Abdel-Fattah
Her writing is so funny and clever and touching and real and multi-cultural. You'll love her :)
Maria Boyd
Only her debut available so far (can't wait to read more of her work). Will is from a male POV and is funny and spot-on at articulating a teen guys struggles and ambitions and life in general. Lots of poignant moments and parts where you feel sorry for Will who has the ability to spectacularly stuff things up. Definitely makes me feel more compassion for the male species ;) lovelovelove
Alyssa Brugman
The synopsis of these two books didn't particularly draw me in - but I'm so glad I gave them a go - the writing is just beautiful (many crush-worthy sentences) and the characters are so wonderfully flawed it made me ache for them. I'm a life long fan :)
Rebecca Burton
The perfect blend of conflict and romance and friendship and general teen angst and coming of age (in a multiple POV read).
Laura Buzo
Her debut spoke to my soul and won me over and you must get your hands on this book. She is being compared to Melina Marchetta and I concur - mesmerising and funny and true and bittersweet. And I have the hugest crush on Chris. I loved Holier Than Thou just as much, if not more, and she is now firmly an absolute fave author of mine <3
Emma Cameron
Write such a delicious and genuine verse novel. I devoured it in a day and it's one of those books that still linger.
Lucy Christopher
Who debuted with the astonishingly haunting book Stolen. My review here - a psychologically powerful and engrossing read.
Margaret Clark
So she's written over 130 books... And a few of them really resonated with me as a teen. I seriously grew up reading my way through her stuff. I'll give a shout-out to the two below b/c they are super-cute and have awesome-funny-relate-able teen voice. Perfect for lower YA :) (and the Fat Chance series, haha, loved/love them)
Marianne de Pierres
Her Night Creatures series is dark and unique and intoxicating. Highly recommended reading for fans of dystopia/fantasy/adventure
Burn Bright (my review)
Angel Arias (my review)
Kirsty Eagar
whoa-crazy-good-awesome-powerful. Raw Blue is mesmerising and stunning and made me ache. An absolute fave and must-read for all fans of YA <3
Nick Earls
A staple in the Aussie YA scene. He's brilliant and funny and his older novels still resonate for todays teens.
Anna Fienberg
Her novel Borrowed Light is beautiful, whimsical and lingering. A notable with CBCA. Definitely worth your time. I loved this so hard when it came out... Truly gorgeous.
Jackie French
ADORE her (she writes MG and children's picture books too). My favourite novel of hers is:
Phillip Gwyne
"Swerve is a rare and hilarious combination of road novel, rite-of passage for a sheltered private school boy, and subtle love story between grandfather and grandson" (judges comments from VPLA 2010).
Leanne Hall
Whoah, crazy beautiful writing and something very very different. Impressive.
Rhiannon Hart
Fresh, addictive and swoony surprising fantasy. I LOVED her debut and am excited for this new Aussie series. For fans of Kristin Cashore, this is more fantasy-lite and very accessible.
Sonya Hartnett
One of my all time favourite authors. I've often wondered why she is shelved as YA as her work really transcends into all ages. My teen years were shaped by her books. Her stories are shocking and compelling and dark and original. Her writing is insanely literary - the combinations of words she uses to make a sentence sometimes takes my breath away. <3 <3 <3 (I've only listed a few of hers, but any of hers are a guaranteed good read)
Simmone Howell
Simply awesome.
Barry Jonsberg
This guy is funny and witty and fresh and he has the perfect voice for YA. Very impressed :) Good times.
Melissa Keil
What a refreshing and funny and completely heartfelt story. I loved this male POV book, perfect for a smiley, rainy day read.
Margo Lanagan
Confessing that Tender Morsels was not really my thing, but I still <3 Lanagan wholeheartedly. Touching Earth Lightly is an older contemporary title that has lingered with me years. Highly recommended. And - read Black Juice (short stories) if only for the first story "Singing My Sister Down" which will have you weeping after only mere pages.
Brigid Lowry
Guitar Highway Rose is the kind of delicious brilliance that reminds me why I love to read. Just. Awesome.
Melina Marchetta
Only one of my favourite authors of all time. What can I say about Melina Marchetta but to read her? She is the Queen of Aussie YA.
Shirley Marr
O.o For something wild and unexpected and fun...
John Marsden
Grew up on this guy. His books spoke to my very teen soul and I can still remember the characters (okay, so I've done some re-reads, but that's indulgence, not from forgetting the power of the stories). The Tomorrow Series are my fave series of all time, I swear, Ellie and Homer and the gang are friends I grew up with. I feel fiercely protective of them. can't wait for the movie and so hoping his books gain a wider international readership. If you have not read these, you are so missing out...
Maureen McCarthy
I've read all her work, and the ones below have stuck with me the most. She writes stories that linger with characters who have a lot to overcome. Particularly love When you wake - and it's plot with the IRA. Compelling and complex conflict.
David Metzenthen
Such a strong male voice and perfect for guys and girls - I've always enjoyed his work but was truly blown away by his latest 'Jarvis 24' - winner of CBCA 2010 for Older Readers - I grinned my way through in awe. Brilliance.
James Moloney
Another author who has written a lot in the YA genre. Has some great books that will appeal to males - so you should check out his bibliography. I grew up on this guy, hey. Also has won lots of awards - deserving.
Lara Morgan
Intriguing speculative futuristic fiction ~ I really admire the beginning of a fresh new Aussie series :D (will also appeal to mature MG readers)
Jaclyn Moriarty
Jaclyn Moriarty is my favourite author. She's charming and whimsical and hilarious and true. I recommend Finding Cassie Crazy (The Year of Secret Assignments) to get you started. Although Celia is just as beautiful. After either one of those you will be addicted. You really must track her down. And then fall in love with her (her sisters, Liane Moriarty and Nicola Moriarty shine with the same brilliance in Adult fiction. I love them so much.)
Kirsten Murphy
Her writing is just funny and real and compelling and exactly the kind of books I loved as a teen (and crush on as an adult). And Raincheck on Timbuktu has a whole plot line about Anne of Green Gables (!!!!) <3 <3 <3
Tim Pegler
A must read for all Aussie teen guys. One of my newest favourites. Brilliant. I was quite blown away by Five Parts Dead - LOVE
Penni Russon
One of my favourites and one of the best. Simple but compelling prose and unforgettable storylines.
Lisa Shanahan
Ahh, I <3 this. Write more, please :) Absolutely one of my favourites
His debut novel is a verse novel about parkour. It's amazingly written, creative and compelling and just really really good. So recommended.
Rebecca Sparrow
Reading Rebecca Sparrow is just a whole heap of fun. I ADORE her. She's another Aussie stand-out and must read for me.
Penny Tangey
So, I completely loved her debut - refreshing and innocent and funny and with it's own quirky beat this is the perfect book for teens.
Vicki Wakefield
Her debut is shining and gorgeous and features one of my fave protags. Ever <3
Paula Weston
Seriously amazed by how much I love her Rephaim series. Smart and sexy and fun and swoony and so addictive. These angel books have the best Aussie vibe and charachetrs you will fall in love with
Margaret Wild
Similar to the brilliance that is Steven Herrick. Astounding, gut wrenching novels in verse. I have converted the staff @ my school onto these books and all the teachers love them (who wouldn't really?). Wild is best known for her award wining children's picture books, but I am sending out vibes to her to write more for YA.
Lili Wilkinson
I only found her this year, but she is good. One to watch out for... Funny and heart-felt with everything you want in an unputdownable contmporary.
Gabrielle Williams
Her debut novel is brilliant and has the makings of an Aussie YA cult classic. On my all time faves shelf. Do yourself a favour and don't miss out on this book!
Fiona Wood
Fiona is a scriptwriter who has worked on Neighbours, Home & Away and The Secret Life of Us (among others) and my newest author crush. Her debut is funny and addictive and one of the best books I've read all year. I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all again as soon as I'd finished.
Marcus Zusak
Makes me oh-so-very proud to be an Australian.
- (In alphabetical order by surname)
- Book links go the goodreads
- Not necessarily a complete bibliography of each author, just my fave titles of theirs :)
For more Aussie YA books check out this list @ goodreads: Favourite Aussie YA Books
I grew up devouring Aussie YA and as I grew out of the YA age, it was my fave Aussie authors who kept me coming back to the genre ~ so much talent in our nation, hey. Aussie teens are blessed and I am insanely proud of the thriving Aussie YA scene we have.
This is not a complete list (constantly evolving) and it's completely biased towards my favourites ~ books I am nostalgic about and books I have recently met and fallen in love with <3
Her writing is so funny and clever and touching and real and multi-cultural. You'll love her :)
Only her debut available so far (can't wait to read more of her work). Will is from a male POV and is funny and spot-on at articulating a teen guys struggles and ambitions and life in general. Lots of poignant moments and parts where you feel sorry for Will who has the ability to spectacularly stuff things up. Definitely makes me feel more compassion for the male species ;) lovelovelove
The synopsis of these two books didn't particularly draw me in - but I'm so glad I gave them a go - the writing is just beautiful (many crush-worthy sentences) and the characters are so wonderfully flawed it made me ache for them. I'm a life long fan :)
- Finding Grace (my fave of hers)
- Walking Naked
- Girl next Door
The perfect blend of conflict and romance and friendship and general teen angst and coming of age (in a multiple POV read).
Her debut spoke to my soul and won me over and you must get your hands on this book. She is being compared to Melina Marchetta and I concur - mesmerising and funny and true and bittersweet. And I have the hugest crush on Chris. I loved Holier Than Thou just as much, if not more, and she is now firmly an absolute fave author of mine <3
Emma Cameron
Write such a delicious and genuine verse novel. I devoured it in a day and it's one of those books that still linger.- Cinnamon Rain (also published as Out Of This Place in the US)
Who debuted with the astonishingly haunting book Stolen. My review here - a psychologically powerful and engrossing read.
So she's written over 130 books... And a few of them really resonated with me as a teen. I seriously grew up reading my way through her stuff. I'll give a shout-out to the two below b/c they are super-cute and have awesome-funny-relate-able teen voice. Perfect for lower YA :) (and the Fat Chance series, haha, loved/love them)
Cath Crowley
I'd read some of her earlier work, but her novel Graffiti Moon just took my breath away completely. LOVE LOVE LOVE I dare you not to fall in love with it.
- Graffiti Moon (my review)
- A little Wanting Song (Chasing Charlie Duskin)
Marianne de Pierres
Her Night Creatures series is dark and unique and intoxicating. Highly recommended reading for fans of dystopia/fantasy/adventure
Burn Bright (my review)
Angel Arias (my review)
Kirsty Eagar
whoa-crazy-good-awesome-powerful. Raw Blue is mesmerising and stunning and made me ache. An absolute fave and must-read for all fans of YA <3
A staple in the Aussie YA scene. He's brilliant and funny and his older novels still resonate for todays teens.
Anna Fienberg
Her novel Borrowed Light is beautiful, whimsical and lingering. A notable with CBCA. Definitely worth your time. I loved this so hard when it came out... Truly gorgeous. ADORE her (she writes MG and children's picture books too). My favourite novel of hers is:
"Swerve is a rare and hilarious combination of road novel, rite-of passage for a sheltered private school boy, and subtle love story between grandfather and grandson" (judges comments from VPLA 2010).
Whoah, crazy beautiful writing and something very very different. Impressive.
Jonathan Harlan
Oooh, this is an older title that I absolutely LOVE - fun and sexy and funny and an outstanding male POV. One of my long time favourites.
Fresh, addictive and swoony surprising fantasy. I LOVED her debut and am excited for this new Aussie series. For fans of Kristin Cashore, this is more fantasy-lite and very accessible.
Sonya Hartnett
One of my all time favourite authors. I've often wondered why she is shelved as YA as her work really transcends into all ages. My teen years were shaped by her books. Her stories are shocking and compelling and dark and original. Her writing is insanely literary - the combinations of words she uses to make a sentence sometimes takes my breath away. <3 <3 <3 (I've only listed a few of hers, but any of hers are a guaranteed good read)- Butterfly
- Thursday's Child (haunting and beautiful)
- Wilful Blue (my teen fave)
- All My Dangerous Friends
- Princes
- Surrender 2007 Printz Honour Book
- Sleeping Dogs (first book I read of hers <3)
- The Ghosts Child
- The Midnight Zoo (my review) LOVED this, completely.
Kate Hendrick
Her debut, The Accident, is amazing.
Steven Herrick
This man, is a genius. He writes the best verse novels you can get. The characters are real and his poems have a perfect rhythm. His books are impossible to put down, and the stories are ones that linger.
This man, is a genius. He writes the best verse novels you can get. The characters are real and his poems have a perfect rhythm. His books are impossible to put down, and the stories are ones that linger.
- The Simple Gift Just astounding. Also my sisters favourite book of all time :)
- By The River
- Kissing Annabel
- Cold Skin
- Lonesome Howl
- The Wolf
- Slice (my review)
Simply awesome.
This guy is funny and witty and fresh and he has the perfect voice for YA. Very impressed :) Good times.
Melissa Keil
What a refreshing and funny and completely heartfelt story. I loved this male POV book, perfect for a smiley, rainy day read.Confessing that Tender Morsels was not really my thing, but I still <3 Lanagan wholeheartedly. Touching Earth Lightly is an older contemporary title that has lingered with me years. Highly recommended. And - read Black Juice (short stories) if only for the first story "Singing My Sister Down" which will have you weeping after only mere pages.
- Touching Earth Lightly (insanely impossibly adored as a teen)
- Black Juice
Guitar Highway Rose is the kind of delicious brilliance that reminds me why I love to read. Just. Awesome.
- Guitar Highway Rose * (an absolute long-time fave <3)
- Follow the Blue
Only one of my favourite authors of all time. What can I say about Melina Marchetta but to read her? She is the Queen of Aussie YA.
- Looking For Alibrandi
- Saving Francesca (in my top ten all time faves)
- On the Jellicoe Road (my fave book OF ALL TIME)
- The Piper's Son brilliance
- Finnikin of the Rock
- Froi of the Exiles
Shirley Marr
O.o For something wild and unexpected and fun...
Grew up on this guy. His books spoke to my very teen soul and I can still remember the characters (okay, so I've done some re-reads, but that's indulgence, not from forgetting the power of the stories). The Tomorrow Series are my fave series of all time, I swear, Ellie and Homer and the gang are friends I grew up with. I feel fiercely protective of them. can't wait for the movie and so hoping his books gain a wider international readership. If you have not read these, you are so missing out...
- Tomorrow When the War Began Not going to list all seven books in the series here, but they are my favourite series OF ALL TIME.
- While I Live First book in the Ellie Chronicles, which continues after the war.
- So Much To Tell You
- Dear Miffy
- Checkers
- Hamlet
I've read all her work, and the ones below have stuck with me the most. She writes stories that linger with characters who have a lot to overcome. Particularly love When you wake - and it's plot with the IRA. Compelling and complex conflict.
- When You Wake and Fine Me Gone (my personal fave of hers)
- Chain of Hearts
- Rose By Any Other Name
- Cross My Heart
Such a strong male voice and perfect for guys and girls - I've always enjoyed his work but was truly blown away by his latest 'Jarvis 24' - winner of CBCA 2010 for Older Readers - I grinned my way through in awe. Brilliance.
Another author who has written a lot in the YA genre. Has some great books that will appeal to males - so you should check out his bibliography. I grew up on this guy, hey. Also has won lots of awards - deserving.
Intriguing speculative futuristic fiction ~ I really admire the beginning of a fresh new Aussie series :D (will also appeal to mature MG readers)
Jaclyn Moriarty is my favourite author. She's charming and whimsical and hilarious and true. I recommend Finding Cassie Crazy (The Year of Secret Assignments) to get you started. Although Celia is just as beautiful. After either one of those you will be addicted. You really must track her down. And then fall in love with her (her sisters, Liane Moriarty and Nicola Moriarty shine with the same brilliance in Adult fiction. I love them so much.)
- Feeling Sorry For Celia
- Finding Cassie Crazy (The Year of Secret Assignments) start with this one <3
- Bindy Mackenzie
- Dreaming of Amelia (The Ghosts of Ashbury High) My review
- The Spell Book of Listen Taylor
- A Corner of White (my review) AMAZING lovelove
Her writing is just funny and real and compelling and exactly the kind of books I loved as a teen (and crush on as an adult). And Raincheck on Timbuktu has a whole plot line about Anne of Green Gables (!!!!) <3 <3 <3
- Raincheck on Timbucktu I love this book lovelovelove
- The King of Whatever
A must read for all Aussie teen guys. One of my newest favourites. Brilliant. I was quite blown away by Five Parts Dead - LOVE
Penni Russon
One of my favourites and one of the best. Simple but compelling prose and unforgettable storylines.- Little Bird
- Dear Swoosie (co-authored by Kate Constable)
- Undine (#1)
Ahh, I <3 this. Write more, please :) Absolutely one of my favourites
- My Big Birkett My review (titled: the Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I truly, Completely Lost it in the US)
His debut novel is a verse novel about parkour. It's amazingly written, creative and compelling and just really really good. So recommended. Reading Rebecca Sparrow is just a whole heap of fun. I ADORE her. She's another Aussie stand-out and must read for me.
- The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay
- The Girl Most Likely (adult fiction, but whatever, it's awesome-- it also feautures the same protagonist, ten years on, from Nick McGowan)
- Joel and Cat set the Story Straight (co-written with Nick Earls) My review :)
So, I completely loved her debut - refreshing and innocent and funny and with it's own quirky beat this is the perfect book for teens.
Her debut is shining and gorgeous and features one of my fave protags. Ever <3
Paula Weston
Seriously amazed by how much I love her Rephaim series. Smart and sexy and fun and swoony and so addictive. These angel books have the best Aussie vibe and charachetrs you will fall in love withMargaret Wild
Similar to the brilliance that is Steven Herrick. Astounding, gut wrenching novels in verse. I have converted the staff @ my school onto these books and all the teachers love them (who wouldn't really?). Wild is best known for her award wining children's picture books, but I am sending out vibes to her to write more for YA.
I only found her this year, but she is good. One to watch out for... Funny and heart-felt with everything you want in an unputdownable contmporary.
- Pink (I thought I'd check out the first chapter around midnight, before turning out the light... four hours later... also, blurbed by John Green :)
- Angelfish
- A Pocketful of Eyes
Her debut novel is brilliant and has the makings of an Aussie YA cult classic. On my all time faves shelf. Do yourself a favour and don't miss out on this book!
- Beatle Meets Destiny My review (insanely loved it)
Fiona is a scriptwriter who has worked on Neighbours, Home & Away and The Secret Life of Us (among others) and my newest author crush. Her debut is funny and addictive and one of the best books I've read all year. I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all again as soon as I'd finished.
- Six Impossible Things READ THIS BOOK. stat.
- Wildlife (my review)
Makes me oh-so-very proud to be an Australian.
- The Book Thief
- I Am The Messenger
- Getting the Girl (When Dogs Cry)
- Fighting Ruben Wolfe
FYI: Aussie YA is available internationally. The Book Depository (UK and US) stocks many titles. Fishpondworld.com stocks all titles with free international shipping.
