Congratulations to Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler!

Carl and Hakea’s book, Black Cockatoo, has been announced as an Honour Book in the 2019 Book of the Year: Younger Readers category.

Black Cockatoo is a vignette that follows Mia, a young Aboriginal girl as she explores the fragile connections of family and culture. Mia is a 13-year-old girl from a remote community in the Kimberley. She is saddened by the loss of her brother as he distances himself from the family. She feels powerless to change the things she sees around her... until one day she rescues her totem animal, the dirran black cockatoo, and soon discovers her own inner strength.

“A delicate balance is maintained between presenting Indigenous culture in a way which inspires admiration and presenting the challenges faced in communities. Even though the issues are grave and there are descriptions of mild violence, the story is age appropriate, with cultural relationships clearly and concisely conveyed.” Judging Panel, CBCA Book of the Year Awards