Winners and Commended Books 1980 - 1989

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Winners and Commended Books 1980 - 1989

Note:

The Picture Book of the Year Award was established as a separate award in 1952
Until 1982 there was no division between Older and Younger Readers.
The Eve Pownall Award for information books was presented by Eve Pownall's family in 1988, then by the Children's Book Council from 1993.
The Early Childhood Award was introduced in 2001
A complete list of winners, honour books and shortlisted books for the Book of the Year Awards is available at a cost of A$5.00 from Reading Time, PO Box 62, Ashmont, NSW, 2650, Australia

1980 Book of the Year
Winner	Harding, Lee	Displaced Person	Hyland House, 1979
Highly Commended	Brinsmead, Hesba F. Illus. Noela Young	Once There was a Swagman	Oxford University Press, 1979
Commended	Goodsir, Don Illus. Tony Oliver	The Gould League Book of Australian Birds	Golden Press, 1979
Commended	Thiele, Colin Illus. Robert Ingpen	River Murray Mary	Opal Books, Rigby, 1979
1980 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Pavey, Peter	One Dragon's Dream	Nelson Australia, 1978
Commended	Cowell, Judith Text Lydia Pender	The Useless Donkeys	Methuen, 1979
Commended	Allen, Jennifer Text Robin Anderson	Sinabouda Lily: A folk tale from Papua New Guinea	Oxford University Press, 1979

1981 Book of the Year
Winner	Park, Ruth	Playing Beatie Bow	Nelson, 1980
Highly Commended	Scott, Bill Illus. A. M. Hicks	Darkness under the Hills	Oxford University Press, 1980
Commended	Bolton, Barbara Illus. Alan White	Jandy Malone and the Nine O'Clock Tiger	Angus & Robertson, 1980
Commended	Spence, Eleanor Illus. Sisca Verwoert	The Seventh Pebble	Oxford University Press, 1980
1981 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	No Award
Highly Commended	Treloar, Bruce Text Kate Walker	Marty Moves to the Country	Methuen, 1980
Commended	Allen, Pamela	Mr Archimedes' Bath	Collins, 1980

1982 Book of the Year
Winner	Thiele, Colin	The Valley Between	Opal Books, Rigby, 1981
Highly Commended	Wrightson, Patricia	Behind the Wind	Hutchinson, 1981
Commended	French, Simon	Cannily, Cannily	Angus & Robertson, 1981
Commended	Mattingley, Christobel Illus. Patricia Mullins	Rummage	Angus & Robertson, 1981
Finalist	Barnett, Gillian Illus. Geoff Todd	The Inside Hedge Story	Oxford University Press, 1981
Finalist	Fatchen, Max	Closer to the Stars	Methuen, 1981
Finalist	Fowler, Thurley	Wait for me! Wait for me!	Opal Books, Rigby, 1981
Finalist	Phipson, Joan	A Tide Flowing	Methuen Australia, 1981
1982 Junior Book of the Year Award
Winner	Mattingley, Christobel Illus. Patricia Mullins	Rummage	Angus & Robertson, 1981
1982 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Ormerod, Jan	Sunshine	Viking Kestrel, 1981
Highly Commended	Vivas, Julie Text Libby Hathorn	The Tram to Bondi Beach	Methuen, 1981
Commended	Smith, Craig Text Nan Hunt	Whistle up the Chimney	Collins, 1981
Commended	Treloar, Bruce	Bumble's Dream	Bodley Head, 1981
Finalist	Armitage, Rhonda and David	Ice Creams for Rosie	Andre Deutsch, 1981
Finalist	McLean, Andrew and Janet	The Steam Train Crew	Oxford University Press, 1981
Finalist	Moore, Inga	Aktil's Bicycle Ride	Oxford University Press, 1981
Finalist	James, Ann Text Gwenda Smyth	A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle	Nelson Australia, 1981

1983 Book of the Year
Winner	Kelleher, Victor	Master of the Grove	Kestrel, 1982
Highly Commended	Spence, Eleanor	The Left Overs	Methuen, 1982
Commended	Lurie, Morris Illus. Arthur Horner	Toby's Millions	Kestrel, 1982
Commended	Wheatley, Nadia Illus. Neil Phillips	Five Times Dizzy	Oxford University Press, 1982
Finalist	Brinsmead, Hesba F. with Ken Hungerford	Longtime Dreaming	Angus & Robertson, 1982
Finalist	Manley, Ruth	The Dragon Stone	Hodder and Stoughton, 1982
Finalist	Nicholls, Bron Illus. Dougal Ramsay	Three-Way Street	Hutchinson, 1982
Finalist	Phipson, Joan	The Watcher in the Garden	Methuen, 1983
1983 Junior Book of the Year
Winner	Klein, Robin Illus. Alison Lester	Thing	Oxford University Press, 1982
1983 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Allen, Pamela	Who Sank the Boat?	Nelson Australia, 1982
Highly Commended	Generowicz, Witold	The Train	Kestrel, 1982
Commended	Cox, David	Tin Lizzie and Little Nell	Aurora, 1982
Commended	Roughsey, Dick Text Percy Trezise	Turramulli the Giant Quinkin	Collins, 1982
Finalist	Edwards, Tony	Ralph the Rhino	Wellington Lane Press, 1982
Finalist	Ormerod, Jan	Moonlight	Viking Kestrel, 1982
Finalist	Pavey, Peter	Battles in the Bath	Nelson Australia, 1982

1984 Book of the Year
Winner	Wrightson, Patricia	A Little Fear	Hutchinson, 1983
Highly Commended	Klein, Robin Illus. Ann James	Penny Pollard's Diary	Oxford University Press, 1983
Commended	Frances, Helen [Helen Granger and Frances Pearce] Illus. Kerry Argent	The Devil's Stone	Omnibus, 1983
Commended	Willmott, Frank	Breaking Up	Collins, 1983
Finalist	Harding, Lee	Waiting for the End of the World	Hyland House, 1983
Finalist	Klein, Robin Illus. Rolf Heimann	Junk Castle	Oxford University Press, 1983
Finalist	Klein, Robin	People might hear You	Viking Kestrel, 1983
Finalist	Southall, Ian	The Long Night Watch	Methuen Children's, 1983
1984 Junior Book of the Year
Winner	Dann, Max Illus. Ann James	Bernice Knows Best	Oxford University Press, 1983
1984 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Allen, Pamela	Bertie and the Bear	Nelson Australia, 1983
Highly Commended	Vivas, Julie Text Mem Fox	Possum Magic	Omnibus, 1983
Commended	Morimoto, Junko	The White Crane	Collins, 1983
Commended	Harvey, Roland Text Ann Coleridge	The Friends of Emily Culpepper	Five Mile Press, 1983
Finalist	Crabtree, Judith	The Sparrow's Story at the King's Command	Oxford University Press, 1983
Finalist	Mattingley, Christobel and Mullins, Patricia	The Magic Saddle	Hodder and Stoughton, 1983
Finalist	Morris, Jill Illus. Geoff Hocking	The Boy who Painted the Sun	Kestrel, 1983
Finalist	Trezise, Percy and Roughsey, Dick	The Magic Firesticks	Collins, 1983

1985 Book of the Year
Winner	Aldridge, James	The True Story of Lilli Stubeck	Hyland House, 1984
Highly Commended	Gleeson, Libby	Eleanor, Elizabeth	Angus & Robertson, 1984
Commended	Spence, Eleanor Illus. Shane Conroy	Me & Jeshua	Dove, 1984
Commended	Wheatley, Nadia Illus. Waldemar Buczynski	Dancing in the Anzac Deli [Based on a Screenplay by Nadia Wheatley and Terry Larsen]	Oxford University Press, 1984
Shortlist	Baillie, Allan	Adrift	Nelson Australia, 1984
Shortlist	Kelleher, Victor	Papio	Viking Kestrel, 1984
Shortlist	Klein, Robin	Hating Alison Ashley	Penguin, 1984
Shortlist	Klein, Robin Illus. Ann James	Penny Pollard's Letters	Oxford University Press, 1984
1985 Junior Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Winner	Rodda, Emily Illus. Noela Young	Something Special	Angus & Robertson, 1984
1985 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	No award
Highly Commended	Morimoto, Junko	The Inch Boy	Collins, 1984
Commended	Baker, Jeannie	Home in the Sky	Julia MacRae, 1984
Commended	Cox, David	Ayu and the Perfect Moon	Bodley Head, 1984
Shortlist	Gynell, Donna Text Amanda Graham	Arthur	Era, 1984
Shortlist	Lacis, Astra Text Christobel Mattingley	The Angel with a Mouth-organ	Hodder and Stoughton, 1984
Shortlist	Tanner, Jane Text Margaret Wild	There's a Sea in My Bedroom	Nelson Australia, 1984
Shortlist	Vivas, Julie Text Mem Fox	Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge	Omnibus, 1984

1986 Book of the Year
Winner	Fowler, Thurley	The Green Wind	Rigby, 1985
Highly Commended	Baillie, Allan Illus. Elizabeth Honey	Little Brother	Nelson Australia, 1985
Commended	Lake, David J.	The Changelings of Chaan	Hyland House, 1985
Commended	Wheatley, Nadia	The House that was Eureka	Viking Kestrel, 1984
Shortlist	Carr, Roger Vaughan	Firestorm!	Nelson Australia, 1985
Shortlist	Klein, Robin	Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left	Viking Kestrel, 1985
Shortlist	Scott-Mitchell, Clare [Compiler] Illus. Louise Hogan	Apples from Hurricane Street: Poems for Children	Methuen, 1985
Shortlist	Spence, Eleanor	Miranda Going Home	Dove, 1985
1986 Junior Book of the Year
Winner	Steele, Mary	Arkwright	Hyland House, 1985
Shortlist	Bolton, Barbara Illus. Madeleine Winch	Edward Wilkins and his Friend Gwendoline	Angus and Robertson, 1985
Shortlist	Dann, Max Illus. David Pearson	One Night at Lottie's House	Oxford University Press, 1985
Shortlist	Hathorn, Libby Illus. Lorraine Hannay	Paolo's Secret	Methuen, 1985
Shortlist	Harvey, Roland	Burke and Wills	Five Mile Press, 1985
Shortlist	Klein, Robin Illus. Noela Young	The Enemies	Angus and Robertson, 1985
Shortlist	Scholes, Katherine Illus. David Wong	The Boy and the Whale	Viking Kestrel, 1985
Shortlist	Schurmann, Edwin A. Illus. Bruce Treloar	Charlie Up a Gum Tree	Hodder and Stoughton, 1985
1986 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Denton, Terry	Felix & Alexander	Oxford University Press, 1985
Highly Commended	Morimoto, Junko	A Piece of Straw	Collins, 1985
Commended	Lester, Alison	Clive Eats Alligators	Oxford University Press, 1985
Commended	Graham, Bob	First there was Frances	Lothian, 1985
Shortlist	Allen, Pamela	Watch Me	Nelson Australia, 1985
Shortlist	Argent, Kerry Text Thelma Catterwell	Sebastian Lives in a Hat	Omnibus, 1985
Shortlist	Cox, David	Bossyboots	Bodley Head, 1985
Shortlist	Ormerod, Jan	The Story of Chicken Licken	Hodder and Stoughton, 1985

1987 Book of the Year: Older Readers NOTE: Some of these books are for mature readers
Winner	French, Simon	All We Know	Angus and Robertson, 1986
Honour Book	Rubinstein, Gillian	Space Demons	Omnibus/Puffin Book, Penguin, 1986
Honour Book	Kelleher, Victor	Taronga	Viking Kestrel, 1986
Shortlist	Baillie, Allan	Riverman	Nelson Australia, 1986
Shortlist	Park, Ruth	My Sister Sif	Viking Kestrel, 1986
Shortlist	Sharp, Donna	Blue Days	Young Adult Fiction, UQP, 1986
1987 Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Winner	Rodda, Emily Illus. Noela Young	Pigs Might Fly	Angus and Robertson, 1986
Honour Book	Hathorn, Libby Illus. Stephen Axelsen	All about Anna and Harriet and Christopher and Me	Methuen Australia, 1986
Honour Book	MacLeod, Doug Illus. Craig Smith	Sister Madge's Book of Nuns	Omnibus, 1986
Shortlist	Thiele, Colin Illus. Mary Milton	Farmer Schulz's Ducks	Walter McVitty, 1986
Shortlist	Dugan, Michael Illus. Elizabeth Honey	Melissa's Ghost	Dent, 1986
Shortlist	Klein, Robin	Boss of the Pool	Omnibus, 1986
1987 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Morimoto, Junko Text adapted by Helen Smith based on a story by Kenji Miyazawa	Kojuro and the Bears	Collins, 1986
Honour Book	Drahos Zak Text Judy Zavos	Murgatroyd's Garden	A Watermark Press Book, Heinemann Australia, 1986
Honour Book	Base, Graeme	Animalia	Viking Kestrel, 1986
Shortlist	Vivas, Julie Text Bible	The Nativity	Omnibus, 1986
Shortlist	Graham, Bob	The Wild	Lothian, 1986
Shortlist	Power, Margaret Text Margaret Wild	Creatures in the Beard	Omnibus, 1986

1988 Book of the Year: Older Readers NOTE: Some of these books are for mature readers
Winner	Marsden, John	So much to tell you	Walter McVitty, 1987
Honour Book	Gleeson, Libby	I am Susannah	Angus & Robertson, 1987
Honour Book	Spence, Eleanor	Deezle Boy	Collins Dove, 1987
Shortlist	Carmody, Isobelle	Obernewtyn	Puffin Plus, Penguin, 1987
Shortlist	Hall, Penny	The Paperchaser	Walter McVitty, 1987
Shortlist	Heylen, Jill and Jellett, Celia [selectors] Illus. Maire Smith	Rattling in the Wind: Australian poems for children	Omnibus, 1987
Shortlist	Kelleher, Victor	The Makers	Viking Kestrel, 1987
1988 Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Winner	Wheatley, Nadia Rawlins, Donna	My Place	Collins Dove, 1987
Honour Book	Fatchen, Max	A Paddock of Poems	An Omnibus/Puffin Book, Omnibus, 1987
Honour Book	Hathorn, Libby Illus. Ann James	Looking out for Sampson	Oxford University Press, 1987
Shortlist	Hutchins, Elizabeth Illus. Robert H. Perkins	Lucky	Martin Educational, 1987
Shortlist	Klein, Robin Illus Alison Lester	Birk the Berserker	Omnibus, 1987
Shortlist	Scholes, Katherine Illus. David Wong	The Landing : A night of birds	Hill of Content, 1987
1988 Picture Book of the Year
Winner	Graham, Bob	Crusher is Coming!	Lothian, 1987
Honour Book	Baker, Jeannie	Where the Forest meets the Sea	Julia MacRae, 1987
Honour Book	Power, Margaret Text Nette Hilton	The Long Red Scarf	Omnibus, 1987
Shortlist	Meeks, Raymond Text Catherine Berndt	Pheasant and Kingfisher	Martin Educational, 1987
Shortlist	Rawlins, Donna Text Morag Loh	Tucking Mummy in	Ashton Scholastic, 1987
Shortlist	Roennfeldt, Robert Text Mary Roennfeldt	What's that Noise?	Omnibus, 1987
1988 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
Winner	Wheatley, Nadia Rawlins, Donna	My Place	Collins Dove, 1987

1989 Book of the Year: Older Readers NOTE: Some of these books are for mature readers
Winner	Rubinstein, Gillian	Beyond the Labyrinth	Hyland House, 1988
Honour Book	Macdonald, Caroline	The Lake at the End of the World	Viking Kestrel, 1988
Honour Book	Rubinstein, Gillian	Answers to Brut	An Omnibus/Puffin Book, Omnibus, 1988
Shortlist	Baillie, Allan	Megan's Star	Nelson, 1988
Shortlist	Pershall, Mary	You take the high road	Puffin Plus, Penguin, 1988
Shortlist	O'Neill, Judith	Deepwater	Hamilton, 1988
1989 Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Winner	Rodda, Emily Illus. Noela Young	The Best-kept Secret	Angus and Robertson, 1988
Honour Book	Grant, Joan [Editor] Designed Keith Robertson	The Australopedia: How Australia works after 200 years of other people living here	McPhee Gribble/Penguin, 1988
Honour Book	Rubinstein, Gillian	Melanie and the Night Animal	An Omnibus/Puffin Book, Omnibus, 1988
Shortlist	Carr, Roger Vaughan Illus. June Joubert	The Split Creek Kids	Martin Educational, 1988
Shortlist	Fienberg, Anna Illus. Ann James	Wiggy and Boa	Dent, 1988
Shortlist	Park, Ruth Illus. Kilmeny Niland	Callie's Family	Angus and Robertson, 1988
1989 Picture Book of the Year
Joint Winner	Tanner, Jane Text Allan Baillie	Drac and the Gremlin	Viking Kestrel, 1988
Joint Winner	Base, Graeme	The Eleventh Hour	Viking Kestrel, 1988
Honour Book	Harvey, Roland with Joe Levine Text Robin & Sally Hirst	My Place in Space	Five Mile Press, 1988
Shortlist	Early, Margaret [illustrator and reteller]	Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves	McVitty, 1988
Shortlist	Clement, Rod Text Sheena Knowles	Edward the Emu	Collins, 1988
Shortlist	Huxley, Dee Text Margaret Wild	Mr Nick's Knitting	Hodder and Stoughton, 1988