1992 Award Prize for Older Readers

Crossfire

by James Moloney
University of Queensland Press

The story concerns 13-year-old Luke who is caught in the crossfire between his separated and warring parents. The novel is action packed and psychologically realistic, dealing with issues of violence, gun ownership and responsibility.

Commended

Looking for Alibrandi

by Melina Marchetta
Puffin Books

A warm and engrossing book which describes the difficulties faced by a teenager trying to reconcile Italian and Australian values.

Relative Strangers

by Maureen Pople
University of Queensland Press

Deals with a number of issues from the point of view of an only child of a widowed mother, including others’ collusion in domestic violence, the adolescent’s individuation and stranger phobia in a small town setting.

The Web

by Nette Hilton
Angus & Robertson

A delightfully written and illustrated book about a child and great grandmother who relate particularly well. It covers issues of aging and death and the dilemmas of caring for old people.