The Sky So Heavy (UQP, 2013)
Children’s Book Council of Australia Honor Book 2013
Shortlisted for the Aurealis Award for young Adult Fiction
For Fin, it’s just like any other day – racing for the school bus, bluffing his way through class and trying to remain cool in front of the most sophisticated girl in his universe. Only it’s not like any other day because, on the other side of the world, nuclear missiles are being detonated.
When Fin wakes up the next morning, it’s dark, bitterly cold and snow is falling. There’s no internet, no phone, no TV, no power and no parents. Nothing Fin’s learnt in school could have prepared him for this.
With his parents missing and dwindling food and water supplies, Fin and his younger brother, Max, must find a way to survive in a nuclear winter … all on their own.
When things are at their most desperate, where can you go for help?
When We Are Invisible (UQP, 2021)
Shortlisted 2022 South Australian Premier’s Literary Award – Young Adult Fiction
The highly anticipated, heart-stopping sequel to Zorn’s acclaimed debut The Sky So Heavy
Instinct has kept us alive so far. It’s like a compass and I tune in to the needle often: trust/don’t trust, run/stay … I can’t read the needle right now. The warmth of the room is clouding my judgment.
In the midst of a nuclear winter, Lucy, Fin and Max flee the chaos of Sydney with blood on their clothes, a gun and handwritten directions to safety. When they reach Wattlewood, it seems like their struggle to survive might be over. There is food, warmth and adults in charge. So why can’t Lucy shake the feeling they’re still in danger?
Lucy’s survived the apocalypse, but can she escape a more insidious threat?
One Would Think the Deep (UQP, 2016)
Winner of the CBCA Book of the Year (Young Adult)
Shortlisted for 2017 Prime Minister’s Literary Award
Sam stared at the picture of the boy about to be tipped off the edge of the world: the crushing weight of water about to pummel him. Sam knew that moment exactly, the disbelief that what was about to happen could even be possible. The intake of breath before the flood.
Sam has always had things going on in his head that no one else understands, even his mum. And now she’s dead, it’s worse than ever.
With nothing but his skateboard and a few belongings in a garbage bag, Sam goes to live with the strangers his mum cut ties with seven years ago: Aunty Lorraine and his cousins Shane and Minty.
Despite the suspicion and hostility emanating from their fibro shack, Sam reverts to his childhood habit of following Minty around and is soon surfing with Minty to cut through the static fuzz in his head. But as the days slowly meld into one another, and ghosts from the past reappear, Sam has to make the ultimate decision … will he sink or will he swim?
The Protected (UQP,2014)
Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction
Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction
Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year
West Australian Premier’s Book Award – Young Adult Fiction
Hannah’s world is in pieces and she doesn’t need the school counsellor to tell her she has deep-seated psychological issues. With a seriously depressed mum, an injured dad and a dead sister, who wouldn’t have problems?
Hannah should feel terrible but for the first time in ages, she feels a glimmer of hope and isn’t afraid anymore. Is it because the elusive Josh is taking an interest in her? Or does it run deeper than that?
In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, one girl’s struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows just how long old wounds can take to heal.
‘A tender story of grief, trust and healing … Hannah broke my heart.’ AJ Betts, author of Zac & Mia
No Place for an Octopus (UQP, 2019)
After discovering an octopus in the rock pools at the beach, a boy wonders about all the fun adventures they could share if he took the octopus home. From multi-award-winning author Claire Zorn comes this gentle tale of friendship and understanding.
Claire Zorn - Author, Artist 