YA Book Stack

Emma Clancey on This Dream Will Devour Us

This episode includes a discussion of This Dream Will Devour Us by Emma Clancey, a young adult fantasy thriller that blends the author's passions for magic and medicine. It also references other reading and text recommendations such as:The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienDeltora Quest by Emily RoddaRanger's Apprentice by John FlanaganBooks by Leigh BardugoBooks by Laini TaylorThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  Mrs Dalloway by Virginia WoolfHow to Be Normal by Ange CrawfordAnomaly by Emma LordAlso discussed are:The commodification of magic, and how this metaphor opens up rich discussion about pharmaceuticals, access, privilege, and the ethics of who gets to control resources;The allure and danger of wealth, celebrity and influencer culture, and how young people can critically examine power structures without losing sight of their own values;The balance between queer joy and queer trauma in contemporary YA, and the importance of offering affirming, escapist narratives alongside stories that tackle hardship;How genre blending can hook reluctant readers while still allowing for sophisticated exploration of class, authority and power;The role of limitations in world-building, and how clear rules within a magic system strengthen tension and narrative satisfaction;Comparative possibilities with The Great Gatsby, particularly around glamour, illusion, class aspiration and the corruption of the “dream” across different historical contexts;And, as always, the value of championing contemporary Australian genre fiction in classrooms to engage students with stories that feel both grounded and relevant to their lives.  

Summer Reading with Mark Smith

his episode includes a discussion of summer reading recommendations that includes:Tenderfoot by Toni Jordan Gary LonesboroughGraham AkhurstJared ThomasSalt River Road by Molly SchmidtOver This Backbone by Ya ReevesArborescence by Rhett DavisDusk by Robbie ArnottAndrea Nekic Is NOT Fine by Violeta BagiaWe Saw What You Started by Carla SalmonGus and the Burning Stones by Troy HunterCatch by Sarah BrillThis Stays Between Us by Margot McGovernThree Boys Gone by Mark SmithDiary of a Young Doctor by Ezzideen ShehabThe Hiding Place by Kate MildenhallI Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma WaltonPictures of You by Tony BirchSouthsightedness by Gregory DaySeed by Bri LeeThe episode also contains discussions around:Teachers benefit from reading YA themselves, not just for curriculum use but to stay connected to student interests, identify engaging texts, and model genuine enthusiasm for reading.Reading for work vs reading for pleasure, and how hard it is to balance the joy of reading with the obligations of reading for reviews, panels, writing, or teaching.YA in Australia is growing in diversity but still needs more representation, especially stories that reflect the rapidly changing demographics of Australian schools.Teachers should prioritise student engagement when selecting texts. Page-turners matter, reluctant readers need accessible books, and educators sometimes overthink “how to teach” a book before considering whether students will actually read it.Reasons why Three Boys Gone, Mark Smith's debut adult novel, will resonate with anyone working in schools today, and having to navigate the near-impossibility of perfect duty of care.

Margot McGovern on This Stays Between Us

This episode includes a discussion of This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern, a contemporary young adult horror novel that explores friendship, fear, and power. It also references other reading and text recommendations such as:Neverland by Margot McGovernNorthern Lights by Philip PullmanFrankenstein by Mary ShelleyBlade Runner (1982)The Chosen Vessel by Barbara Baynton (short story)Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan LindsayLake Mungo (2008)Talk to Me (2022)Also discussed are:The ways in which Margot has attempted to fill a gap in the market, including setting her horror novel in a distinctly Australian landscape;How reimagining the trope of the “final girl” can challenge the male gaze in horror by creating complex, emotionally authentic female protagonists;The exploration of friendship, secrets, consent, misinformation, and fear in the novel, and how these issues will resonate strongly with today’s students;Why its 48-hour timeframe, along with the use of foreshadowing, pacing, and symbolism, makes it ideal for studying narrative craft and genre conventions;Advocacy for open, supportive classroom discussions around trauma and consent, supported by clear content awareness;And, as always, the importance of teaching contemporary local texts to reflect and expand students’ understanding of Australian identity.

Linda and Marly Wells on Desert Tracks

This episode includes a discussion of Desert Tracks, a time travelling novel about young people in central Australia, the historical legacy of racist policies and the relationship between history and the present.Also discussed are:Using time travel as a genre to connect past and present, allowing for a powerful entry point for exploring history;Working as a writing team, blending different backgrounds and voices to create authentic characters and perspectives;Depicting colonial violence in ways that remain age-appropriate while still respecting readers’ intelligence and lived realities;Why including Aboriginal English terms in literature can offer opportunities for students to appreciate linguistic diversity, explore local language revitalisation projects, and understand cultural exchange;Storytelling as a vehicle for truth-telling and reconciliation;Offering advice for teachers on using Desert Tracks as a springboard for meaningful conversations around racism, history, and First Nations stories, while drawing on endorsed teaching resources to create safe and respectful learning environments.

Ange Crawford on How to Be Normal

This episode includes a discussion of How to Be Normal, as well as reading recommendations including:Someone Like Me: An anthology of non-fiction by Autistic writersObernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody Little Women by Louisa May AlcottLooking for Alibrandi by Melina MarchettaThe Complete Dramatic Works by Samuel BeckettVikki WakefieldHow It Feels to Float by Helena FoxLiving on Hope Street by Demet DivarorenWhen Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-FattahGhost Bird by Lisa FullerThe Skin I'm In by Steph TisdellBlood Moon Bride by Demet DivarorenStill Life with Tornado by A.S. KingThe Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. Le GuinAlso discussed are:The ways in which English teachers give students the frameworks to understand the people they want to be, in terms of critical thinking, feminist thought, anti-racism, etc.A defence of young adult novels as serious literature, capable of tackling complex issues like abuse, identity and resilience, in ways that resonate with students.The ways personal experiences (queerness, neurodivergence, family dynamics) can inform fiction, and shape more honest, nuanced representation.How schools can approach “dark” themes in text studies in way that is supportive, trauma-informed, and empowering.Using “normality” as a lens to interrogate social pressures and difference, and embrace diversity.How texts foster empathy, open dialogue, and give students language for experiences they may struggle to articulate otherwise.