1998 Award Prize for Older Readers

Out of the Shadows

by Sue Hines
Random House Australia

This story explores the impact of family secrets. It revolves around Rowanna, a year 9 student who, in coming to terms with her mother’s death, reflects on her discovery of her mother's lesbianism. The book charts the struggle with and resolution of Ro’s feelings about these issues. In the process other issues including peer relationships, prejudice, teenage sexuality and the meaning of family are also explored. The narrative does not sensationalise these issues, rather it presents them in a way that is accessible to adolescent readers.

Commended

Deadly Unna?

by Phillip Gwynne
Penguin Books

Blacky is a fourteen year old boy, the eldest of eight siblings, who through his developing friendship with an aboriginal boy in the local football club is forced to confront issues of racism and small town thinking. His growth as a person through this and his resultant resilience forms the focus of the story. His new found ability to stand up for his beliefs results in a greater cohesiveness between his siblings, with him providing a much needed role model for them.

1998 Annual Prize for a Picture Book

Grandpa

by Lilith Norman, illustrated by Noela Young
Margaret Hamilton Books

Grandpa is a realistic portrayal of a young boy’s emotions around the death of his grandfather. It deals with the juxtaposition of happiness and sadness and the reality rather than the idealisation of the person who has died. Issues much broader than grief are gently explored, legitimising and bringing out into the open the ambivalent and contradictory feelings that often arise when an older person moves in with a family and then dies. The illustrations are particularly rich and add an extra dimension to the telling of the story.

Picture Books Commended

The Deep

by Tim Winton, illustrated by Karen Louise
Fremantle Arts Centre Press

The narrative has a strong theme of overcoming fear. This theme is well developed through the character of young Alice, with encouraging and supportive family members in the background. The illustrations are engaging and colourful and complement the story beautifully.