Shortlisted for the 2013 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Patricia Wrightson Prize
Selected for the 2013 CBCA Younger Reader Short List.
Praise for Steven Herrick
‘His verse has the ability to instantly put you in someone else’s shoes with very few words.’ Books + Publishing
‘The king of poetry for children is Steven Herrick. Herrick's poems … are so well balanced. On the one hand there's humour and light-heartedness; on the other there's depth and thoughtful care.’ Sydney Morning Herald
‘Steven Herrick has a wonderfully acute ear for the authentic voice of primary school children – their concerns, humour, emotional and intellectual journeys throughout the school year. ... Herrick's poetry is playful and insightful, funny and poignant.’ Magpies
‘Whether it's climbing a tree, blushing or Anzac Day, Herrick hones in on the emotion of the moment and traps it like a bug in a jar.’ Sunday Age
‘Highly recommended for home, school and children's library collections.’ Viewpoint
‘This verse novel delivers a far richer reading experience than I ever could have guessed. Herrick perfectly captures childhood innocence and the laughter of Australian schoolchildren and playground jokes. [He is] good at using the smallest amount of words to capture the hugest of emotions. I actually laughed out loud a few times.’ Teenage Fiction blog
‘A welcome return to the verse novel form for Herrick, and fans will be delighted.’ AussieReviews blog
‘Australia's master of free verse, Herrick has excelled himself.’ Buzz Words
‘Herrick is a master of word economy. An accessible piece with heartfelt and poignant moments.’ Magpies
‘A mixture of humour and thoughtful reflection, Pookie Aleera is not my Boyfriend demonstrates the value of friendship and the power of a well-baked ANZAC biscuit.’ Kids Book Review
‘The children’s stories are funny but also deeply moving as they tell of friendship, family and grief.’ West Australian
‘Likeable and aimed at primary school kids.’ Saturday Age
‘[An] example of how verse novels have the power to get to the heart of the emotions, and take the reader deep into the character’s world'. Deescribe Writing blog