As part of Surf Coast Shire’s Surf Power Up Boost campaign, Claire Dunn, Booked Out’s favorite barefoot explorer and author of My Year Without Matches,  recounts her year spent living in the bush as nature’s apprentice.

You can catch the video here.

Last year, screenwriter and inspirational speaker Declan Fay was busy writing the new ABC comedy series Ronny Chieng: International Student.  And this week it’s landing on our TV screens! Check out the trailer on YouTube here.

Suitable for talks, writing workshops, or a combination of the two, Declan’s sessions are hilarious, down to earth and inspirational.
For senior secondary levels, Declan is also happy to offer a double-period writing workshop, including a screening of one of the episodes of Ronny Chieng: International Student, a discussion of the inspiration behind it and then an activity focusing on the students own story ideas.

Call us on 03 98240 0177 to book a session with Declan.

A quick shout out to the fabulous Ailsa Wild and her collaborators,  for taking first place at the 2017 Book Design Awards for her part in the collaborative project, The Invisible War: A Tale on Two Scales.

This outstanding graphic novel, which depicts the invisible war between a field nurse and a lethal strain of bacteria in France, 1916, is a creative collaboration from artists, scientists, historians, and educators. It’s depth and clarity are unlike anything you’ve ever encountered and we are absolutely stoked that it came out on top!
Well done, guys!

Big Booked Out congratulations to Mark Smith and Zana Fraillon for making the shortlist for the the inaugural Readings Young Adult Book Prize!

The prize is awarded to the best new contribution to Australian young adult literature.

We are thrilled to hear that Zana Fraillon’s The Bone Sparrow, and Mark Smith’s The Road to Winter are both in the shortlist of six.

The authors are both making a big splash in schools and festivals around Australia and we are thrilled to hear they are receiving accolades for these two books.

To read more about the prize, visit Readings

Throughout June, Australia’s #1 award-winning author, Sally Rippin, will be on tour to celebrate the release of her new book, Polly and Buster, and as part of this, she will be delivering talks at several host schools around Australia.

Sally Rippin fans in Grades 1 – 4 are invited along to any of the following locations:

VIC

Lauriston Girls’ School Montrose, 38 Huntingtower Rd, Armadale, VIC, 3143
Friday 2nd of June from 9.30am – 10.30am

Antonine College – Cedar Campus, 130 Harding Street, East Coburg, VIC, 3058
Wednesday 14th of June from 10am – 11am

Beaconhills College – Berwick, 92 Kangan Dve, Berwick, VIC, 3806
Thursday 13th of June from 10am – 11am

NSW

Bondi Public School, 5 Wellington St, Bondi, NSW, 2026
Tuesday 6th of June from 10am – 11am

QLD

Our Lady of Rosary School, Kenmore, QLD 4069
Friday 9th of June from 11.30am – 12.30pm

The cost is $5 per head and you can bring as few, or as many, students as you like. The invitation is open to all students between Grade 1 – 4.

If you’d like to take part in this limited opportunity and want to see Sally in action, give us a call today on 03 9824 0177 or email us – bookings@bookedout.com.au

To hear the first chapter of this new book, do check out this video from Sally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMi30jNU5kQ

You can also view the teachers notes for Polly and Buster: http://www.hardiegrant.com/au/egmont/our-books/polly-and-buster

Hot off the Booked Out presses: we are delighted to announce that award-winning author, J.C. Burke will be down with us in Melbourne for Book Week!

A multi-award winning YA author, J.C. Burke has a long list of critically acclaimed books, including White Lies, The Red Cardigan, Faking Sweet, and CBCA Book of the Year 2006, The Story of Tom Brennan. Her latest release, The Things We Promise, delves into that quintessential time of uncertainty and fear – a girl’s first formal. Following her brother’s promise that she will look fabulous on the night, Gemma’s world quickly unravels when the family’s circumstances change dramatically. Gemma’s story, laden with emotion, humour and heartbreak, is a beautiful depiction of a young girl’s struggle in the face of change.

Her Book Week tour will fill up fast so get in touch today to secure your visit from J.C. Burke.

Today we are spotlighting our fabulous speaker and award-winning author, Steven Amsterdam who has made the long-list of nominations for the 2017 Miles Franklin Award!

After winning The Age ‘Book of the Year’ award in 2009 for his post-apocalyptic novel Things We Didn’t See Coming, Steven has now been long listed for his latest novel, The Easy Way Out.

Steven, who also works as a palliative care nurse, draws on the complicated theme of assisted suicide, making this latest offering a topical and thought provoking work of fiction – a must read!