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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

FOUR #VerseNovels in Longlists for 2027 UKLA Book Awards in 11–14+ categ. Gone for Good by @sarahcrossan.bsky.social Pearl Beach by Beth Steiner Not Going to Plan by @tiafisher.bsky.social Roar by Manjeet Mann Heads up @jholmblad.bsky.social @doucette515.bsky.social @rurooie.bsky.social

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

TWO Aussie #VerseNovel winners in the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards! @pipharry.bsky.social for DRIFT (YA Lit) & Zana Fraillon for SONG OF A THOUSAND SEAS (Children’s Literature) Congrats both! Check out the #versenovel databases of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

TWO Aussie #VerseNovels among shortlisted books for the 2026 South Australian Literary Awards. YA Fiction Award s/l for a pub. book of fiction (readers 12–18) BIRDY by Sharon Kernot & Children’s Literature Award s/l for a pub. fiction or non-fiction book (readers to 11). LITTLE BONES by Sandy Bigna

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Martin Shaw @thebooksdesk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Happiest of publication days to Sharon Kernot and her crime-novel-in-verse, Night Swimming, from @textpublishing.bsky.social! My old workplace, @readingsbooks.bsky.social, says "It is not often that a verse novel for adults comes my way...Once begun, I simply could not put it down."

Sharon Kernot's crime novel in verse, Night Swimming

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

"I wish this book had existed when I had started to write verse novels, but I'm so glad it exists now. It's a great resource and I hope all can benefit" – Reem Faruqi, contributor to DiVERSE @reemfaruqi.bsky.social Author of #MG #VerseNovels ZARINA DIVIDED GOLDEN GIRL CALL ME ADNAN & UNSETTLED.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

FOUR Australian #VerseNovels among the shortlisted books for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Young Adult and Children's Literature: DRIFT by @pipharry.bsky.social THE FOAL IN THE WIRE by Robbie Coburn LITTLE BONES by Sandy Bigna SONG OF A THOUSAND SEAS by Zana Fraillon

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Heads up #VerseNovel enthusiasts! One of my favourites is AARZU ALL AROUND by marziehabbas_author a terrific #MG #VerseNovel about Aarzu’s dreams of making the girls cricket team.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Heads up fans of Aida Salazar & #versenovels don’t miss the @aida_writes interview in DiVERSE Conversations with YA & Children’s Verse Novelists about her writing process. #SeedInTheSun #TheMoonWithin #LandoftheCranes #Stream & #Ultraviolet @Scholastic @AgentZacker @summitlibraries.bsky.social

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Heads up fans of @baronchrisbaron.bsky.social "Novels in verse are relevant for all kinds of readers" says Chris Baron, author of three #versenovels inc. latest, SPARK Read his interview in DiVERSE Conversations with YA & Children’s Verse Novelists. @librariesconnected.bsky.social

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Heads up fans of @caroleweatherford.bsky.social Read all about the writing of #versenovel BECOMING BILLIE HOLIDAY In DiVERSE Conversations with YA and Children’s Verse Novelists

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Congratulations #MG #VerseNovel LITTLE BONES by Australian Sandy Bigna awarded HONOUR BOOK for the CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD – YOUNGER READERS Heads up @librariesconnected.bsky.social @lapubliclibrary.bsky.social @qplnyc.bsky.social @bklynlibrary.bsky.social @summitlibraries.bsky.social

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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The Women’s Press, London, founded in 1977 by New Zealand-born publisher Stephanie Dowrick, was a feminist publishing company. The “iron” icon was created by artist Donna Muir #Womensart

Three images, left with an illustration of an iron on an ironing board, top right, thd book The Color Purple, bottom right a pile of books by the publisher

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The contributor list is extraordinary: Margarita Engle. Carole Boston Weatherford. Rajani LaRocca. Aida Salazar. Chris Baron. Safia Elhillo. Jasmine Warga. Thanhhà Lai. Dean Atta. Cordelia Jensen. Helen Frost—authors whose books are prize-winning & loved by readers across the UK, AUS & the USA.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Department of the Vanishing (Johanna Bell, Transit Lounge) shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards 2026 Fiction Book Award category — a terrific #VerseNovel Heads up public- libraries @nypl @QPLNYC @SFPublicLibrary @LAPublicLibrary @WaterstonesPicc

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Curious about #VerseNovels? Teachers & librarians, this selection is just some of the many Australian #MG & #YA #VerseNovels in market. For curriculum links check out Australia's world-first Verse Novel Resource www.ncacl.org.au/resources/bi...

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Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More) @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

AN EXPANSE OF BLUE by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian), cover art by JT Ojerio (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up. @kauawrites.bsky.social @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #YABooks

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

In DiVERSE Conversations with YA & Children's Verse Novelists, an impressive global cohort share insights about writing #versenovels— it’s a vibrant masterclass for aspiring writers in the genre, & an ess. ref. guide for #readers #teachers & #librarians— feat. 50 must-read #MG & #YA #versenovels.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Heads up for Australian Sharon Kernot's #VerseNovel for adults / crossover. A psychological thriller that will keep you turning page after pageuntil the astonishing end! Text Publishing.🔥🔥🔥

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Out now! ALL THAT CHANDNI KNOWS by Khushboo Patel Heads up #VerseNovel enthusiasts! A powerful middle-grade novel in verse set in India at the turn of the millennium that follows a 12-year-old girl as she navigates new beginnings, difficult truths and a crush.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

DiVERSE Conversations with YA & Chn's Verse Novelists feat. 28 esteemed authors. An impressive global cohort share #VerseNovel writing insights —it’s a vibrant masterclass & an ess. ref. guide #readers #teachers #librarians feat. 50 #MG #YA must-reads. @jonnybid.bsky.social @worldkidlit.bsky.social

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Fallon Farokhi @thestoryspectator.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Poetry month always makes me read more novels-in-verse! Here are 8 of my recent recommendations: thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2026/05/poet... Comment on the verse novels you’d recommend!

thestoryspectator.blogspot.com

Poetry Month for Middle and High School Readers

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Heads up! Australian, UK & US #MG & #YA VerseNovels side by side in 2025, this post by ‬@doucette515.bsky.social‬ Which ones have you read? Award-winning literature. @cordeliajensen.bsky.social @sherrylwriter.bsky.social @baronchrisbaron.bsky.social @katemessner.com @katefussner.bsky.social

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Macmillan Children's School & Library Marketing @mackidssl.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

On March 31st, 1931, the Lemon Grove Case was decided, leading to the United States' first successful school desegregation case. A SEA OF LEMON TREES, a Newbery and Pura Belpré Honor Book, by María Dolores Águila explores this true story. Download our Teacher's Guide here: tinyurl.com/3du8u4k2

A Sea of Lemon Trees
The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez
When injustice grows, resistance blooms.

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Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 07/04/2026

All 33 London Libraries will be taking part in the Greater London Authority’s Loved and Wanted campaign. Loved and Wanted funding will support London Libraries' work in diverse communities, enhancing the reach and impact of their 291 branches. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/projects/lov...

A 'Loved and Wanted' graphic from the Mayor of London and National Lottery Community Fund.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Heads up #VerseNovel enthusiasts! #MG #NIV LITTLE BONES by Sandy Bigna shortlisted for the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature Australia @librariesconnected.bsky.social @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social @lapubliclibrary.bsky.social @qplnyc.bsky.social @bklynlibrary.bsky.social

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Heads up #VerseNovel enthusiasts! Fantastic AUSTRALIAN #VerseNovels in the CBCA Notables for Older Readers THE FOAL IN THE WIRE by @robbiecoburn.bsky.social & DRIFT by Pip Harry plus CBCA Notables for Younger Readers Little Bones by Sandy Bigna & SONG OF A THOUSAND SEAS by Zana Fraillon.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

In "DiVERSE Conversations", this impressive global cohort of 28 esteemed & awarded writers share their nuanced, craft insights. It’s a vibrant masterclass for #poets & aspiring #versenovelists & an essential guide for #readers #teachers & #librarians— feat. 50 must-read #MG and #YA #versenovels.

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Heads up #VerseNovel enthusiasts! Congratulations @marziehabbas.bsky.social on AARZU ALL AROUND your terrific #MG #VerseNovel about 12 y.o. Aarzu’s dream of making the girls cricket team @rurooie.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social @worldkidlit.bsky.social @doucette515.bsky.social

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Linda Weste @lindaweste.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

In FULL CICADA MOON #mg #versenovel by @marilynhilton.bsky.social mixed-race Mimi resists racist & sexist stereotyping to pursue science & become an astronaut. Marilyn says VN's are her fave genre: "We can come to know characters and their stories deeply through the economy and beauty of poetry.”

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