I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and pay respect to elders past and present. I would also like to recognise the importance of story and culture to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the way that they nurtured and taught their children with story passed from generation to generation. 

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Wednesday December 3^rd 2025 to listen to author Sandy Bigna’s presentation about her verse novel ‘Little Bones’. 

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title. 

 

Verse novels are accessible for reluctant/challenged readers but encourages strong readers to read differently. 

Recommendations for verse novels from Sandy and attendees. 

Birdy by Sharon Kernot 

Bindi by Kirili Saunders 

The Way of the Dog by Zana Fraillon 

Songs of a thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon 

Hannah Backwards by Kim Rackham 

The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn 

What Snail Knows by Kathryn Apel  

The Kindness Project by Deborah Abela 

Grace Notes by Karen Comer 

Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer 

Only Branch of the Family Tree by Sherryl Clark 

Queen Narelle by Sally Murphy 

Worse Things by Sally Murphy 

The Little Wave by Pip Harry 

Drift by Pip Harry 

Are you there, Buddha by Pip Harry 

Books by Steven Herrick