1996 Award Prize for Older Readers

A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove

by James Moloney
University of Queensland Press

This book is a well written and engaging story of two brothers who are left longer in the care of their reluctant aunt than any of them planned on, in a town where their original family are outcasts. The narrative traces Carl’s developing relationship with a family who eventually provide him and his younger brother with a safe, accepting place to be. The trials along the way to acceptance in this newly-formed family are realistically portrayed, with a focus on Carl as he works through his feelings - his feelings about his own family of origin, his feelings about himself and his feelings about the family in which he and Harley find acceptance and a sense of self worth.

Commended

Peeling the Onion

by Wendy Orr
Allen & Unwin

The narrative focuses on Anna, a teenager who has been involved in a car accident, resulting in multiple, serious injuries and what become apparent are long term difficulties. It is a slow, painful time for Anna - full of obstacles and questions with no clear answers. The main question which Anna battles with is whether she can pick up the pieces of her life again. Supporting Anna in this are her parents and friends, but this also brings questions - what parts will they all play in her life now things have changed? This is an excellent book in which the author involves the reader not only in Anna’s everyday life, but also in the thoughts and feelings of despair which Anna keeps hidden and pushed away from her everyday life. Highly commended.

1996 Annual Prize for a Picture Book

Hannah Plus One

by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Ann James
Penguin Books (Puffin Books)

This is a delightful story, written and illustrated with great insight and sensitivity. The central character in the story is a very spirited young girl called Hannah, (who we met in 1994 in Skating on Sand, a book commended in the Family Award for that year). Hannah’s mother is expecting another baby and Hannah is convinced that it will be another set of twins (she already has older twin sisters) to further cement her feelings of being the odd one out in her family. Hannah gets into all sorts of trouble, especially at school, as her feelings about the approaching birth take over.