Biffy James’s YA debut Completely Normal (And Other Lies) has been recognised as the pick for Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shadow Judging Program in the Older Readers category!

What is CBCA “Shadow Judging” and why is it so cool that Biffy James has won?! Well, from the CBCA website;

‘A vibrant network of young readers, from emerging to young adult, will dive deeply into our Shortlist and express their opinions and share their responses as judges “shadowing” our own CBCA Judges. They will use the same criteria to reflect on literary values and to champion their choices. Within their groups they will collaborate and develop their own creative response to a chosen book and share this with the community.

Each group will focus on one of our five categories: Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Book, or the Eve Pownall Information Book. Every group, and their facilitator, will be supported by a mentor from their state-based CBCA branch.’

and; Why has CBCA devised this program?

‘There are two important reasons for creating this program
— To amplify the voice of young readers in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards and to talk about Australian children’s books across the nation
— To collaborate with the children’s book community to support creatives, bookshops and the publishing industry.’

Congrats again, Biffy – your #LoveOzYA debut looks positively shiny with all those stickers!