Prizes · Australia

CBCA 2027 entries close as new Middle Readers category begins

Entries for the 2027 CBCA Book of the Year Awards closed on 1 November, with books due at the national office by 14 November. A Middle Readers category for ages 10 to 13 starts in 2027.

By The Book Source1 November 20261 minute read

Entries for the Children's Book Council of Australia's 2027 Book of the Year Awards closed on 1 November 2026. Publishers have until 14 November to get their entered books to the council's national office.

The 2027 awards will be the first to include a Middle Readers Book of the Year category, which recognises Australian books for readers aged 10 to 13. The CBCA has confirmed that the category applies from the 2027 awards onwards and was not part of the 2026 awards.

The new category sits alongside the existing Older Readers and Younger Readers awards. The CBCA awards recognise Australian books for young people up to the age of 18, and the council says its aim is to promote quality writing and illustration by Australian creators.

Entries for the 2027 round opened on 1 February 2026, with an early-bird entry fee available until 30 June. The CBCA has not yet listed dates for the 2027 notables, shortlist or winners announcements on its awards page.

In the 2026 cycle, the notables were announced on 24 February, the shortlist on 31 March and the winners and honour books on 21 August.

Original source: Children's Book Council of Australia ↗

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