Background to the CBCA Junior Judges’ Project

In the lead up to the announcement of the winners and honour books in the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Awards, the preceding announcement of the Short Listed and Notable Books is always a highlight in the world of Australian Children's Literature - for publishers, authors, illustrators, booksellers, teachers, librarians, parents and schools.

Many educators commence a program in April based on the CBCA Shortlist and Notables Announcement, leading students through a pipeline of literature-based activities, concluding with the CBCA Book of the Year Awards Announcement in August.

The Junior Judges’ Project (JJP), was developed as a project that offers an online national framework for these activities within schools and libraries, commencing with the Children’s Book of the Year Short List Announcement in Melbourne on Tuesday 1st April. Once the Short List is announced, students guided by their teachers, are encouraged to read the shortlisted books and, based on the judging criteria, select their Winner and two Honour Books in one or more categories and cast their votes online either through their teachers or individually. There is no cost for your school to participate.

The CBCA Junior Judges' Project encourages children to do their own judging of the shortlisted books in the annual CBCA Book Awards, based on similiar criteria to that used by the CBCA Book of the Year judges.

Before the announcement of the 2009 Shortlist on April 1 2009, a letter promoting the 2009 Junior Judges’ Project, was posted to every school in Australia. A free promotional poster, created by award winning illustrator Shaun Tan, was included for schools to use in their participation in the project in whatever way they wish.

We invite your Feedback for the further development of this project as part of the national CBCA objective of promoting quality children's books across Australia.

Quote from Bronwen Bennett - National Past President (2007-2008), Children's Book Council of Australia:

"We are extremely excited to be able to offer this educational opportunity at no cost, to all schools across Australia. As the National CBCA President, I invite all schools to participate in the 2008 CBCA Junior Judges' Project."

Categories & Judging Criteria

The Judging Process