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YA Book Stack

YA Book Stack

Written by: Victorian Association for the Teaching of English
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About this listen

YA Book Stack is an in-conversation podcast with Australian authors who discuss the application of their text in the middle years English classroom and the ways their text is reflective of the experiences of young adult readers and the world they engage with. Through a focus on the text in the classroom, YA Book Stack aims to encourage educators to embrace the flexibility of the middle years and explore a broader range of texts in their curriculum.

© 2025 YA Book Stack
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Episodes
  • Summer Reading with Mark Smith
    Dec 7 2025

    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.
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    34 mins
  • Margot McGovern on This Stays Between Us
    Oct 26 2025

    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.
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    27 mins
  • Linda and Marly Wells on Desert Tracks
    Oct 26 2025

    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.


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    34 mins
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