Book bites: 9plus book list
In these episodes of Book bites, authors read the first chapter of their books. These books feature on the 9plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record.
On this page
- This Season's Draft – Jason Gent
- The Foal in the Wire – Robbie Coburn
- Moonlight and Dust – Jasmin McGaughey
- Lady's Knight – Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
- Smoke and Mirrors – Barry Jonsberg
- How to Be Normal – Ange Crawford
- We Could Be Something – Will Kostakis
- Unhallowed Halls – Lili Wilkinson
- Classroom resources
This Season's Draft – Jason Gent
Book bites: 9plus book list – 01. This Season's Draft – Jason Gent
In this episode of Book bites, Jason Gent reads the first chapter of ‘This Season's Draft’. This book features on the 9plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
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Publisher website: allenandunwin.com
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘This Season's Draft’: Text copyright © Jason Gent, 2025. Illustration copyright © Cover illustrations by Shutterstock. Cover design by Debra Billson, 2025.
First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
The Foal in the Wire – Robbie Coburn
Book bites: 9plus book list – 02. The Foal in the Wire – Robbie Coburn
In this episode of Book bites, Robbie Coburn reads the first chapter of ‘The Foal in the Wire’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Author website: robbiecoburn.com
Publisher website: hachette.com.au
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘The Foal in the Wire’: Text copyright © Robbie Coburn, 2025. Illustration copyright © Tannya Harricks, 2025.
First published by Hachette Australia. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Hachette Australia.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
Moonlight and Dust – Jasmin McGaughey
Book bites: 9plus book list – 03. Moonlight and Dust – Jasmin McGaughey
In this episode of Book bites, Jasmin McGaughey reads the first chapter of ‘Moonlight and Dust’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Author website: jasminmcgaughey.com/about
Publisher website: allenandunwin.com
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘Moonlight and Dust’: Text copyright © Jasmin McGaughey, 2025. Illustration copyright © Tori-Jay Mordey, 2025.
First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
Lady's Knight – Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Book bites: 9plus book list – 04. Lady's Knight – Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
In this episode of Book bites, Amie Kaufman reads the prologue and first chapter of ‘Lady's Knight’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Author website: amiekaufman.com
Publisher website: allenandunwin.com
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘Lady's Knight’: Text copyright © Amie Kaufman, 2025. Illustration copyright © Elizabeth Wakou, 2025.
First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
Smoke and Mirrors – Barry Jonsberg
Book bites: 9plus book list – 05. Smoke and Mirrors – Barry Jonsberg
In this episode of Book bites, Barry Jonsberg reads the first chapter of ‘Smoke and Mirrors’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Classroom-ready resource for this specific episode
Author website: australianauthors.com.au/authors/barry-jonsberg
Publisher website: allenandunwin.com
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘Smoke and Mirrors’: Text copyright © Barry Jonsberg, 2024. Illustration copyright © ? Check with publisher, 2024.
First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
How to Be Normal – Ange Crawford
Book bites: 9plus book list – 06. How to Be Normal – Ange Crawford
In this episode of Book bites, Ange Crawford reads the first chapter of ‘How to Be Normal’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Author website: angecrawford.com
Publisher website: walkerbooks.com.au
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘How to Be Normal’: Text copyright © Ange Crawford, 2025. Illustration copyright © Sarah Mitchell/Walker Books Australia, 2025.
First published by Walker Books Australia. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Walker Books Australia.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
We Could Be Something – Will Kostakis
Book bites: 9plus book list – 07. We Could Be Something – Will Kostakis
In this episode of Book bites, Will Kostakis reads the first chapter of ‘We Could Be Something’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Classroom-ready resource for this specific episode.
Author website: www.amiekaufman.com
Publisher website: allenandunwin.com
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘We Could Be Something’: Text copyright © Will Kostakis, 2023.
First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
Unhallowed Halls – Lili Wilkinson
Book bites: 9plus book list – 08. Unhallowed Halls – Lili Wilkinson
In this episode of Book bites, Lili Wilkinson reads the first chapter of ‘Unhallowed Halls’. This book features on the 9Plus book list, so if you enjoy it, make sure you track down the rest of the book, read it and then add it to your online reading record by Friday 18 September 2026!
- Show notes
-
Classroom-ready resource for this specific episode
Author website: liliwilkinson.com.au
Publisher website: allenandunwin.com
PRC book lists: online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/booklist/home.html
‘Unhallowed Halls’: Text copyright © Lili Wilkinson, 2025. Illustration copyright © Imogen Oh and Angela Carlin, 2025.
First published by Allen & Unwin. This excerpt is used by arrangement with Allen & Unwin.
Background music licensed by Envato Elements.
Classroom resources
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The views expressed in the Listen @ The Arts Unit podcast series are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily represent the views of the NSW Department of Education.