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.