2026 CBCA Book of the Year - Notables

Updated March 10, 2026
C
City of Belmont Ruth Faulkner Library
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2026 CBCA Book of the Year - Notables

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Cruel is the light
Clark, Sophie
Paper Book
A brutal war between demons and humanity has raged across Europe for over a century. At its heart are two elite soldiers- SELENE ALLEVA, a powerful exorcist trained at the prestigious Vatican Academy, and foot soldier, JULES LACROIX, unrivalled in battle.
A murder is going down
Emery, Kate
Paper Book
A brilliant and hilarious cosy YA crime from the author of My Family and Other Suspects, with a mystery that will keep readers guessing to the very last page. For fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.
Never thought I'd end up here
Liang, Ann
Paper Book
Leah Zhang has spent her whole life in LA - it's all she's ever known. But after accidentally wishing her cousin ill health and a very depressing marriage at her wedding, her parents stage an intervention. She's forgotten most of her Mandarin, has zero regard for etiquette, and can't hold a...
This season's draft
Gent, Jason
Set in the year leading up to the AFL Draft and following the experiences of six teenagers who are in its orbit, this YA novel is unique, compelling, authentic and full of footy. Perfect for sporty kids.
Unhallowed halls
Wilkinson, Lili
Paper Book
DARK ACADEMIA...WITH DEMONS. After a deadly incident at her old school, Page enrols in Agathion College, an exclusive boarding school, only to find that it's built over centuries of secrets - including an ancient society potentially linked to demonic magic. Perfect for fans of Lynette Noni and Leigh...
The worst perfect moment
Plozza, Shivaun
Paper Book
Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, tender and edgy, this inventive romance asks what it means to be truly happy. Tegan Masters is dead. She's sixteen and she's dead and she's standing in the parking lot of the Marybelle Motor Lodge, the single most...
Chickenpox
Lai, Remy
Paper Book
A contagiously funny graphic novel from bestselling creator Remy Lai. Abby and her four younger siblings are itching to escape their house - literally. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.
Creature Clinic
Than, Gavin Aung.
What do you do with a sick dragon, a concussed troll, or a unicorn with a broken horn? You take them to the only place that can help: Creature Clinic! From Super Sidekicks creator and New York Times-bestselling cartoonist Gavin Aung Than comes this...
Inked
Wasson, Karen
Paper Book
★ The bestselling new-release Australian graphic novel of 2025! ★ For fans of Remy Lai's Pawcasso and Raina Telgemeier's Drama comes this hilarious enemies-to-besties graphic novel, about a kid who just wants to blend in...
Into the bewilderness
Gordon, Gus
Paper Book
A funny, life-affirming graphic novel from award-winning Australian creator Gus Gordon. Best friends Luis and Pablo spend their days wandering through nature, playing songs on the guitar, and eating pinecone porridge.   But Luis wonders if there's more to life...
Little bones
Bigna, Sandy
Ebook
Did you know that if you wish aloud for something in the stealthy shadows of your bedroom, if you whisper the words soft as the brush of a moth' s wing, if you feel the words rush through your blood, your wish might come true? Since the death of her brother, eleven-year-old Bones spends her time...
The silken thread
Wang, Gabrielle
Moonie lives in Melbourne and dreams of designing dresses for movie stars. Eight thousand kilometres away, on Chongming Island in China, peasant boy Little Dipper cares for the silkworms on his family's farm and hopes to learn English. On the day Moonie's beloved Ma Mi goes away, Little Dipper...
The surface trials
Waugh, H.M.
Paper Book
An epic page-turner full of twists you won't see coming, set on an alien planet where, under the watch of a galaxy-wide TV audience, Ammy Antares and her fellow competitors must complete a challenging quest to gain entry into an elite interplanetary academy.
The colours of home
Han, Sally Soweol
Paper Book
2026 CBCA NOTABLE EARLT CHILDHOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR When Bomi moves to a new country everything seems different except for the silver moon. Making a faraway place feel like home isn't easy, but as she explores Bomi finds comfort in matching new with old. Soon she...
Derek
Donaldson, Anne
Paper Book
Derek is a fish with many questions. Why is the universe round? Where do bubbles come from? Why does food rain down from above? But the question Derek asks himself more than any other is: 'Why am I alone?' From new talent Anne Donaldson and bestselling...
Dropbear
Bunting, Philip
Philip Bunting - author illustrator of award-winning titles Mopoke and Not Cute - introduces the most enigmatic creature in the Australian bush. They say Dropbear is mean, Dropbear is savage . But They are the gossips ... Meet Dropbear, if you...
Earthspeak : boodjar wangkiny.
McCann, Sean
Paper Book
A joyful story celebrating the natural world, the sharing of culture through Noongar language and the awe that comes from seeing, hearing and feeling how elemental forces shape the earth.
Fly, Mama, Fly
McGregor, Anna.
Paper Book
Soar through the Australian night sky with a flying-fox mum and her pup! Fly, Mama, Fly!takes young readers on a magical nocturnal journey with a Grey-headed flying fox and her pup. As they glide through the moonlit Australian landscape, this enchanting tale celebrates the unbreakable bond...
Say Goodnight
Hayward, Renae.
Exploring all the things babies love to do as they get ready for bed - from bedtime stories to massages from mum - the simple, high-contrast illustrations feature many recognisable words, like mum, dad and pyjamas.
The train at the end of my street
Jellett, Tom
Paper Book
Explore the magic of trains with this delightful picture book from one of Australia's best-loved illustrators. There are big trains and small trains, long trains and fast trains. There are old stations, and new ones. I love them all! But...
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