KOALA
The shortlist for the 2025 KOALAs has been announced and it's now over to you!
Time to read and decide on your favourites, ahead of voting which opens early in term 3!
Check the list below and follow the links to the library catalogue to reserve your copies. Read them and choose your favourites!
Voting opens at the beginning of term 3, and closes at the completion of the same term. Then we get ready for Awards Day! You'll be able to tune into the awards online and at St. Andrew’s Cathedral School, Thursday 13 November (toward the end of term 4).
The 2025 KOALA Timeline
| Nominations | Closed Friday 4 April 2025. |
| Shortlist (Time to read!) | The 2025 shortlist of nominated books was announced at the beginning of term 2. Read and choose your favourites now! |
| Voting | Voting opens online at the start of term three and coloses at the end of term. |
| Awards Day | Online and at St. Andrew’s Cathedral School Thursday 13 November (toward the end of term 4). |
The KOALA shortlist 2025!
Picture Story Books
Fiction for Younger Readers
Fiction for Older Readers
Fiction for Years 7-9
About KOALA
KOALA stands for Kids Own Australian Literature Awards and every year, young readers from all over New South Wales judge their very own literature awards! By voting in KOALA you can reward the Australian children's books that have most inspired, amused, terrified, enlightened, and engaged you! There are four award categories, Picture Book, Younger Readers, OIder Readers, and Years 7-9. One lucky author will also be awarded the KOALA Legend for 2025!KOALA aims to promote and encourage the enjoyment and appreciation of Australian literature for children and young adults. It also hopes to involve young readers in NSW in the process of selecting the most popular books. The awards assist in developing readers' critical appreciation skills and gives recognition to Australian authors and illustrators.
KOALA gives students a voice regarding the books they love to read and involves them in the voting process—encouraging them to discuss and debate their views on literature.
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