April 15, 2026
Renaissance advocates for a reading-renaissance!
Here in Australia, as in many countries throughout the world, the act of reading has been in decline for many years but now, the picture might be changing.
In an attempt to bring about the impetus for change, ‘Australia Reads’, an initiative aimed at promoting reading within Australia, was launched in 2019. Now, in 2026, it has relaunched as an independent, not-for-profit organisation and is at the forefront of the charge for change, with one simple mission: promote the joy of reading.
A recent report by ABC news cites Anna Burkey, President of Australia Reads as stating that reading has been hit by a “perfect storm” in the sense that, in these digitally-overwhelming, distraction-heavy times, reading in is in intense competition for our time and is struggling to compete for one, fundamental reason: perceived lack of time. It’s a cost-benefit equation for many who see themselves as time-poor and, therefore, seemingly unable or unwilling to find the time for what is, in reality, a time-consuming experience! They would have to see the benefits as equal to the time invested and illustrating this as a reality is one of the outcomes that Australia Reads hopes it can achieve.
In fact, there might be no better time than now in Australia to introduce new reading habits as we reflect on and adjust to our on-going social media ban for under 16s. Now could be the opportunity to replace the screen with the page and introduce our younger generation to the benefits of reading.
This World Book Day is a special one for us at Renaissance, as this year is the 40th birthday of Accelerated Reader! To celebrate, the Content Team has put together this birthday themed list of book suggestions. They have paired a favourite book from the year they were born with a more current book suggestion – one that might be the same genre, a similar type of story, or that evokes the same feelings that their favourite childhood story did. As an added bonus, they have included a childhood photo to get readers into the birthday party mood!
Peter Smith:
Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn | MY+ | Quiz #242951 | BL 5.3 | Head of Zeus
As well as being the year I was born, 1991 was also the year that the iconic Outlander by Diana Gabaldon was published. It tells the story of Claire, a Second World War nurse who finds herself in 1740s Scotland and must navigate the intrigues of a country heading towards an uprising, her burgeoning romance with Jamie, and her desire to return to her own time.
Also set in the 18th century, Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn is a gripping YA novel that has elements of intrigue, science and Gothic horror thrown into its swashbuckling premise. It follows the Bataillon des Morts, a band of outcasts led by Camille who rescue people from the guillotine during the French Revolution. With strong characters, mystery, high-stakes adventure and romance, it has something for everyone.
Historical fiction (and historical fantasy) probably makes up the majority of books on my shelves. For me the genre is a genuine escape from the present and can bring familiar landscapes to life in new and unexpected ways. Another aspect I love is the richness of detail woven into it and how it can spark further study if you discover an era that really captures you, or fuel any creative hobbies that a person may have.
Kerry McGuire:
The Extinction Trials by S.M. Wilson | UY | Quiz #234013, #235106, #236282 | BL 4.5-5.1 | Usborne
Jurassic Park, published in 1990, follows a group of scientists and visitors invited to a remote island where genetically engineered dinosaurs have been brought back to life. What’s meant to be a theme park spirals out of control when security systems fail and the dinosaurs escape. Many people are familiar with this popular dinosaur franchise, but a more recent offering from S.M Wilson is the YA series The Extinction Trials.
The trilogy follows Storm and Lincoln as they’re sent to a dangerous, dinosaur‑ruled continent to help save their dying world. Across the series, they face brutal survival challenges, uncover government secrets, and discover that the real fight is deciding what—and who—is worth protecting.
Krista Culbertson:
Fox & Son Tailers by Paddy Donnelly | Lower Years | Quiz #243057 | BL 2.8 | O’Brien Press Ltd.
Badger Books by Paddy Donnelly| Lower Years | Quiz #271876 | BL 3.5 | O’Brien Press Ltd.
I have always loved animals. Being born in 1991, I was raised in the era of Jan Brett’s magical picture books. Published in 1991, Berlioz the Bear was a picture book that I treasured. This lushly illustrated book featured anthropomorphic animals wearing incredible clothing, which is honestly all that mattered to me.
When I think of picture books that evoke the same warm feeling as Brett’s books (with well-dressed anthropomorphic animals), I think of the Irish author and illustrator Paddy Donnelly. His books Badger Books and Fox & Son Tailers are both set in the same village and teach the importance of fostering imagination—something Brett’s books did for me nearly 35 years earlier.
Lucy McGraw:
I Am NOT A Prince by Rachael Davis | Lower Years | Quiz #243708 | BL 2.5 | Orchard Books
I’ve always been someone who has pushed back against traditions that keep people in specific boxes. As a child, I loved A Carp for Kimiko by Virginia Kroll, which was published in 1993 – the same year I was born! In this book, Kimiko desperately wants a calico carp kite of her own to fly on Japan’s Children’s Day, which has traditionally celebrated each son in a family. Though her parents remind her that there is a holiday just for girls, Doll’s Day, this does not stop Kimiko from dreaming about her very own carp.
Another, more recently published, book that features a main character who pushes back against limiting traditions is I Am NOT A Prince by Rachael Davis. This book tells the story of Hopp, who lives on a lagoon where young frogs wait patiently to be turned into magical princes. But Hopp does NOT want to be a prince! When Hopp sets out on a journey to find their true self, all it takes is one understanding new friend to help Hopp undergo a magical transformation that causes a positive change to ripple across the lagoon!
Both of these titles allow children to imagine a world outside of tradition and encourage them to be their true selves.
Beverly Sanford:
Fight Back by A.M. Dassu | MY+ | Quiz #243168 | B.L 4.9 | Scholastic
A lot of great books were published in the mid-seventies when I was born, but I didn’t read Mildred D. Taylor’s incredible Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry until I was 12. Set in 1930s Mississippi, this award-winning classic is the story of the Logan family, who endure racial injustices while fighting to keep their farmland. It was one of the first books to encourage my lifelong passion for diverse fiction and stories about standing up for your rights.
A more recent book about fighting for your identity is Fight Back by A.M. Dassu, a book that I particularly enjoyed quizzing for Accelerated Reader. Set in the Midlands, it’s the story of 13-year-old Aaliyah who, when faced with prejudice and racism in the local area, takes positive action and stands up for those who feel alone, scared and judged.
Both titles explore essential themes, while encouraging empathy, courage, and community.
Laura Claridge:
Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage by Adam Hargreaves | LY | Quiz #271899 | BL 5.2 | Farshore
Mr. Poirot: Mischief on the Nile by Adam Hargreaves | LY | Quiz #271906 | BL 4.2 | Farshore
The year of my birth saw the publication of several books from Roger Hargreaves’ original Mr. Men series, which came out in the seventies. These were some of the first books I remember owning, and I very much enjoyed collecting them!
I was drawn in by the wonderful, striking illustrations – of course – but I also remember warming to the cheerful, humorous storylines. This series of books was one of a few I collected as a very young child. At that time, whenever I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say that I was going to be a librarian. And I did indeed go on to work in libraries for a few years after leaving university, before joining the team that creates Accelerated Reader quizzes.
In this capacity, I have enjoyed writing and editing quizzes on newer Mr. Men – and Little Miss – stories over the years, including the fabulous Doctor Who Mr. Men books. Doctor Who happens to be one of the first programmes I remember watching on television, so I was thrilled to have this opportunity. Most recently, I have written quizzes on two books in the Mr. Men Little Miss Agatha Christie Mysteries series, and I was equally over the moon to work on these!
Lee Burkwood:
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy | MY+ | Quiz #213843 | BL 4.9 | HarperCollins
Terry Pratchett is one of the UK’s most legendary UK fantasy fiction writers, with an incredible series, Discworld, spanning from 1983-2015.
In the year I was born, 1990, the tenth book of the Discworld series was released. Moving Pictures. Created by the alchemists of Ankh-Morpork, the growing ‘clicks’ industry moves to the sandy land of Holy Wood, attracted by the light of the sun and some strange calling no one can quite put their finger on. Also drawn to Holy Wood are aspiring young stars Victor Tugelbend, a wizarding student dropout, and Theda ‘Ginger’ Withel, a small-town girl with big dreams. But behind the glitz and glamour of the clicks, a sinister presence lurks. Because belief is powerful in the Discworld, and sometimes downright dangerous. The magic of movies might just unravel reality itself.
Fast forward to 2007 and a series on AR which builds up a rich fantasy world with silly humour in similar style to Pratchett is Skulduggery Pleasant, written by Derek Landy. In the first book, the story follows the characters Skulduggery Pleasant — a skeleton, sorcerer and detective — and his partner Stephanie Edgley, who also goes by Valkyrie Cain. They and their numerous magic-wielding allies try to prevent the necromancer Nefarian Serpine from unleashing a powerful weapon called The Sceptre of Ancients. There are currently 17 novels in this series so far, with an 18th due to be published soon.
Some of these are real bed-time beauties, in fact, we know that bed-time is a good time to read or be read to, and that, interestingly, more girls in Australia are read to at this time than boys; leading perhaps to the finding that reading amongst males is in particular decline presently- come on you boys, you can do it!
So, whether you read from this list or, simply, become inspired by it, let’s encourage our young ones, our friends and family and, of course, ourselves to put in the time and pick up a book!
Happy World Book Day and, as always, happy reading!
