Carey Inky Awards 2021: CLI Library keeps Young Adult book awards alive and strong

The Centre for Youth Literature (CYL) has hosted the Inky Awards since 2007, where new Australian and International young adult titles are read and judged by students around Australia – a ‘by teens, for teens’ initiative. The CYL is taking a break to rethink strategy, so the CLI Library has resurrected the popular awards with an internal Carey version.

Carey Middle and Senior students have loved being involved in this reading and judging process over the years, so the CLI Library is excited to deliver this reimagined version. The Carey Inky Judge students now have an opportunity to vote for Australian and international titles to make the longlist. Voting on this is about to close, and then we’ll be able to get reading!

Between March and early Term 4, 10 Australian titles and 10 International titles are read. The titles represent the range and breadth of current young adult literature – inclusivity, Own Voices, and diversity of experience are heavily featured, and genres from fantasy and gothic to relationships and historical fiction are celebrated. By Term 4, Carey Inky Judges have read and discussed these 20 books for eight months and are ready to vote on the best Australian and International titles from the list. A shortlist will be created by the judges and, from that list, a top Australian and international book will be voted on and will be the recipients of the 2021 Carey Inky Awards.

If your child is an avid reader who also likes talking books, they might like to join the other keen judges in this challenge. Email Linden Carroll ASAP if they would like to take part.

Front runners for the longlist are included in the featured image.

Marg Moran
Acting Head of CLI Library