YA Book Stack

This episode features a conversation with award-winning writer, illustrator and cartoonist Sarah Winifred Searle about their graphic novels The Greatest Thing and The Sweetness Between Us. Sarah discusses their lifelong love of comics, the influence of manga and queer storytelling on their work, and the unique possibilities graphic novels offer for combining words and images.

The conversation explores themes of friendship, creativity, identity, mental health, body image, disability and chronic illness. Sarah reflects on transforming their own adolescence into the fictionalised memoir The Greatest Thing, the role of zine-making as a source of connection and self-expression, and the importance of depicting difficult experiences with honesty, sensitivity and hope. They also introduce The Sweetness Between Us, in which a teenager newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes forms an unexpected relationship with a newly turned vampire, opening up thoughtful conversations about care, interdependence and what it means to live a “normal” life.

This episode also includes a discussion of the visual language of graphic novels - from colour, composition and facial expression to panel size, pacing and silence - and the rich opportunities these choices offer for close analysis in the English classroom. Sarah encourages teachers to recognise graphic novels as a powerful and sophisticated form of storytelling, and to embrace the books young people are already enthusiastically reading.

This episode features a conversation with Turkish-Australian author and editor Demet Divaroren about her dark fantasy novel Blood Moon Bride. Demet discusses the novel's long journey to publication, writing feminist speculative fiction, and the ways fantasy can be used to explore power, identity, resistance and belonging.

This episode also includes a discussion of world-building, symbolism and magic systems in fantasy, the influence of family history on storytelling, and the role of speculative fiction in examining real-world issues such as misogyny, injustice and cultural erasure. The conversation explores the concept of "coming of age" across a lifetime, the importance of critical thinking and self-determination for young people, and the ways literature can provide a safe space for readers to engage with complex social and emotional themes.

This episode features a conversation with Torres Strait Islander and African American author and editor Jasmin McGaughey about her debut YA novel Moonlight and Dust. Jasmin discusses writing First Nations speculative fiction, the importance of representation in Australian classrooms, and how genre can create space for stories of culture, family, identity and belonging. The discussion references reading and text recommendations such as:

• Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
• The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
• Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller
• Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker
• Works by Ambelin Kwaymullina
• Works by Claire G. Coleman
• Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
• The Pearl of Tagai Town by Lenora Thaker
• The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

Also discussed are the role of setting and place in shaping novels and character identity, the use of Creole and code-switching in Moonlight and Dust, and the creative challenges of balancing mystery, magic and emotional realism in speculative fiction. The conversation explores the influence of genre novels on young readers and writers, the collaborative nature of the publishing process, and the importance of students seeing themselves, their communities and contemporary Australian settings reflected authentically in stories.

This special IDAHOBIT episode includes a discussion with educator and writer Ernest Price about the importance of queer representation in classrooms and practical ways teachers can create more inclusive, engaging reading experiences for all students. It references reading and text recommendations such as:

• Good Young Men by Gary Lonesborough
• Highway Bodies and Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans
• Will Kostakis novels
• Growing Up Queer in Australia
• The Sweetness Between Us and The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle
• The Family Law (SBS adaptation of Benjamin Law’s work
• The Heights (ABC series)
• Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko
• Ellen van Neerven short stories, poetry and non-fiction
• I'm Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

Also discussed are:

• How identity can shape teaching, writing and text selection
• The importance of contemporary texts "with heart" that reflect students’ real lives and identities, not just traditional canon texts
• Advocacy for diverse and queer representation in English classrooms, especially amid a current cultural and educational “backslide” toward conservative text choices
• Discussion of the role of English teachers in creating lifelong readers, balancing skills-based literacy with meaningful, engaging literature
• The power of own voices storytelling and the need for students to encounter LGBTQIA+ stories that go beyond “coming out” narratives
• Practical strategies for teachers about working with allies, being open about positionality and willing to learn
• Honest discussion about teacher fear and hesitation, with encouragement to learn through the process. 
• Classroom strategies for handling challenging moments, including setting boundaries around respectful discussion and repairing if harmful comments occur
• The stakes of representation in terms of affirmation and visibility for queer students
• Emphasis on bravery and small actions as meaningful change

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. Tolkien
• Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda
• Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan
• Books by Leigh Bardugo
• Books by Laini Taylor
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  
• Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
• How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford
• Anomaly by Emma Lord

Also 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.  

his episode includes a discussion of summer reading recommendations that includes:

• Tenderfoot by Toni Jordan 
• Gary Lonesborough
• Graham Akhurst
• Jared Thomas
• Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt
• Over This Backbone by Ya Reeves
• Arborescence by Rhett Davis
• Dusk by Robbie Arnott
• Andrea Nekic Is NOT Fine by Violeta Bagia
• We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon
• Gus and the Burning Stones by Troy Hunter
• Catch by Sarah Brill
• This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern
• Three Boys Gone by Mark Smith
• Diary of a Young Doctor by Ezzideen Shehab
• The Hiding Place by Kate Mildenhall
• I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton
• Pictures of You by Tony Birch
• Southsightedness by Gregory Day
• Seed by Bri Lee

The 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.

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 McGovern
• Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Blade Runner (1982)
• The Chosen Vessel by Barbara Baynton (short story)
• Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
• Lake 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.

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.

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 writers
• Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody 
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
• The Complete Dramatic Works by Samuel Beckett
• Vikki Wakefield
• How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox
• Living on Hope Street by Demet Divaroren
• When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah
• Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller
• The Skin I'm In by Steph Tisdell
• Blood Moon Bride by Demet Divaroren
• Still Life with Tornado by A.S. King
• The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin

Also 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.

This episode includes a discussion about booklisting with Prue Bon, and focuses on these titles:

The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad
Outlaw Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman
The Paperbark Tree Committee by Karys McEwen
The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor
Please Don't Hug Me by Kay Kerr
Future Girl by Asphyxia
The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn
Grace Notes by Karen Comer
Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer
Metal Fish, Falling Snow by Cath Moore
One Hundred Days by Alice Pung
Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller
The Gaps by Leanne Hall
Things a Map Won't Show You
Where The Shoreline Used to Be
Stuff I'm (Not) Sorry For by Maxine Beneba Clarke
It's the Sound of the Thing by Maxine Beneba Clarke
How Decent Folk Behave by Maxine Beneba Clarke
The Saturday Portraits by Maxine Beneba Clarke
The End of the World is Bigger Than Love by Davina Bell