Tristan Bancks: captivating young readers, inspiring young writers
2026-05-09 10:30 - 11:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Zoom
Tristan Bancks saved my life – I read Cop and Robber to disengaged Yr 10 students in a class when they had finished the work the teacher left for them (on narrative writing). They voted not to listen to me read a book and were on the cusp of mutiny, but I read it any way! You could hear a pin drop!
In this session, bestselling author Tristan Bancks shares the tools he uses in the writing process, and in touring his books, to engage both keen and reluctant readers. Tristan’s book Scar Town won both the CBCA award for Younger Readers and the Shadow Judging Prize, voted for by kids. He actively focuses on writing fast-paced, engaging novels that are also personal, layered and peopled with characters that readers can relate to. He has been on the road, visiting schools, libraries and festivals for twenty years and, in this session, he shows the methods that have been most useful in inspiring upper primary and early high school readers to pick up a book. He also takes us behind the scenes on his much-anticipated new novel RAISED BY WOLVES, out 5 May, a standalone follow-up to CBCA Honour Book, Two Wolves.
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Note: The recording of this session will only be available to registered participants for a period of two weeks from the date of provision. It will not be available to download from the ALIA Shop.

Let's get ethical: adapting the ALIA Code of Ethics for your school library
2026-07-25 10:30 - 11:30
Are you ready to turn ethical theory into library practice? Join us for Let’s Get Ethical, the new ALIA Schools Code of Ethics development series! Spread over six weeks, you will participate in three interactive online sessions, a fortnight apart.
During these sessions, we will dive deep into the ALIA Code of Ethics to help you translate it for your unique school context. Rather than just discussing concepts, you will learn how to curate relevant resources, navigate challenging censorship and collection decisions, and embed sustainable practices into your library. Participants will leave this series with a completed, editable Code of Ethics document that is tailored and ready to use in their school library! Let’s build our solid ground together.
These sessions are not being recorded and a commitment to attend all three sessions is preferred.
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