The Paperbark Tree Committee

by Karys McEwen

Twelve-year-old Art and his younger brother Hilary are great friends, best friends.

When they move to Melbourne from a small town in Queensland things seem to be easy for Hilary, who is still in primary school, but Art struggles to fit in, and he’s become a target for school bully Jack. His dad is too busy to give him much attention, but Art has his stepmum, Sally, who is always ready to listen.

And there’s the paperbark tree. Art and Hilary climb into its branches and hold a secret meeting whenever they need to sort things out.

The only problem is Art’s not sure he still wants to be part of the paperbark tree committee. He’s getting older and he thinks he needs to solve his problems on his own.

The Paperbark Tree Committee is a heartfelt story about growing up and leaving childhood behind; it’s about family and being a good brother, fitting in and finding friends, and about making mistakes and learning from them.

Karys McEwen is a school librarian, bookseller, vice president of the Victorian branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and education advisor for the Melbourne Writers Festival. She is passionate about the role libraries and books can play in the wellbeing of young people, and she writes the substack ‘I Read A Lot’.

‘McEwen honours the complexity of the tween experience, and infuses it with warmth and originality.’ Age on All the Little Tricky Things

‘A sublime coming-of-age story.’ Magpies on All the Little Tricky Things

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship, Family

203 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2025

About the author

Karys McEwen is the current president of the Victorian branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. She is also a school librarian, and she is passionate about the role libraries and literature play in the wellbeing of young people. She has been a columnist for Books+Publishing and her work has appeared in library journals such
as Synergy, Incite and Connections. All the Little Tricky Things is her debut middle-grade novel.

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a coming of age story, this story is one of compassion and honesty. I enjoyed the glimpse into two young boys who were unafraid to be themselves. Art is 12, and his little brother Hilary is 10. This unisex name of course causes problems at school, and Art is quick to stick up for his sibling. Both are quirky and smart young fellas’. Their maturity and mutual respect was unexpected - though possibly a little far reaching - they loved each other a lot. Central themes of family, the non traditional and coming to terms with what we have, and finding our place in the world. Art faces a humiliating act from a bully, the fall out from this will eventually teach him a thing or two and as the story progresses, he learns many more important life lessons. Secondary characters are written beautifully, with kindness and forgiveness at every stage. Resonating with me is Art’s transition from year 6 to starting year 7, this is a hard road to travel, yet it seems Art is able and confident to seek opportunities to try new things - and when to acknowledge when traditions will come to a natural end. We are at this stage in my own family, so more than once I was comparing and contrasting. Always a sign of a good read. A well written and rich story, one of those which adults will be able to draw from as well.

Thank you to Tracey @carpe_librum1 and the publisher for hosting a giveaway on her blog https://www.carpelibrum.net/ 🔖🔖🔖

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing, publisher of The Paperbark Tree Committee:

‘A warm, down-to-earth story about friends and family and growing up, with characters who nestle into your heart.’
Fiona Hardy

‘A growing-up story that had me hooked. Full of real problems and awkward mistakes—and, best of all, genuine heart.’
Emily Gale

‘A tender, compassionate story about navigating transitions and finding support in unexpected places…With its authentic depiction of big emotions and complex family dynamics, [it] is sure to find a welcome home in libraries and classrooms.’
Books+Publishing

‘A gorgeous, heartfelt and hilarious tale of navigating change, bullying and growing up, and learning to appreciate loved ones for who they are.’
Readings

‘Characters are really well drawn…There’s a depth and diversity to them that will give readers something to reflect on. Gentle, with themes of growing up, finding your own tune, having good people around you, being a bit awkward but learning to fit in…There’s a lot that’s good to talk about for kids.’
RNZ Nine to Noon

‘A warm, heartfelt story about growing up…A gentle book, with a big heart.’
NZ Booklovers

‘A beautiful story about growing up and finding your way, about found family and connection, and friends who become part of your world in ways that you may not have imagined.’
Book Muse

‘I really enjoyed this coming-of-age novel and the various literary hats the author wears has equipped her with a unique perspective on children's literature which definitely shows on the page. McEwen obviously knows what kids want to read and this book has it all; a new school, making friends, dealing with a bully, school activities and an annoying Dad at home.’
Carpe Librum

‘[A] warm-hearted story which will be appreciated by a wide range of middle-grade readers not only for its ultimately hopeful and uplifting story, but also for its real-world themes.’
Magpies Magazine

‘Children will love this book for its humour, characters, and relatable problems.’
Novel Feelings

‘Highly recommended…Gentle but doesn’t avoid some big topics and is written in such a way that children and adults will be able to take something away from it.’
ReadPlus

‘Karys has such a tender storytelling style, and her middle-grade books are just wondrous slices of childhood and all the emotional upheavals that come with this precipice age.’
Danielle Binks

‘Some books just hit all the targets...A beautiful story, perfectly suited for its target audience.’
Buzzwords

‘Karys McEwen proves herself a skilled writer…Will keep readers turning the pages and hoping for the best for this fierce and smart little kid. Highly recommended.’
CBCA Reading Time

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book, the kids were so familiar (it’s almost like I might have taught a few of them) and in such a timely way I’ll be tabling this book as evidence that teenagers (especially teenage boys) are complex, sensitive but ultimately wonderful.

[RobotAlice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is on the 2026 CBCA short list and as always I read this knowing that I am not the intended audience.

Twelve year old Art and his younger brother Hilary have moved from Queensland to Melbourne. Art is having trouble settling into his new school; he's gotten on the wrong side of the school bully, he has issues with his dad, and he just can't seem to find his place in the world. In short, this is a coming of age story. I feel that children in about years 7-9 would find a lot of themes in this book very relevant and interesting. However, I felt there was a lot of box ticking going on by the author that really distracted me from enjoying the narrative. It was like she had a rubric of possible problems a young person could be going through and she just ticked them off as she went along. I just could not engage with this story. Maybe if I hadn't started strong with Little Bones (a contender in the same category) I might have warmed to this a bit more.

I did appreciate that the author flipped some tropes: the stepmum in the story was genuinely lovely and had Art's best interests at heart and the more emotionally distant parent was the mother.

It was an okay book, it explored a lot of themes but it better not win

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Paperbark Tree Committee by Karys McEwen is a coming of age novel set in Melbourne and the various literary hats the author wears has equipped her with a unique perspective on children's literature which definitely shows on the page. McEwen obviously knows what kids want to read and this book has it all; a new school, making friends, dealing with a bully, school activities and an annoying Dad at home.

"Being a teenager is all about swimming along with only your fin showing, trying to look like a shark when really you're just some average fish. Never revealing that you're not as brave as you look, never admitting that everyone else is in the same ocean. It's terrifying. And exhausting." Page 34

The real highlight through it all for me was the relationship between brothers Art and Hilary. Their relationship took me back to my own childhood dynamic with my younger sibling and it really warmed my heart. The Paperbark Tree Committee is aimed at 8+ readers and if you're in Australia or New Zealand, you can enter the giveaway on Carpe Librum to win a copy for yourself or a young reader in your circle.

[Lara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a gorgeous book I recommend reading this🥲

[Kobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's awesome 👌

[Pam Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well structured and believable characters in this tender read about a first ear high school student finding his way at a big, new school. Throw in a bully, a supportive and mostly kind family, with a non evil step mother and bouncy little brother come friend, it is a delightful read. It would suit those readers who ask for real life stories with no violence or sex. I can see it being used as a class set in secondary schools.

Going to hug a paperbark tree now.

(Bonus of a super school librarian character but I am biased to those)

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

12 year-old Art and 10 year-old brother Hilary are best friends - Art is the worrier and struggles to make friends, whereas Hilary is adored by all. There parents are divorced, and Mum has moved overseas in a high powered job, whilst, Dad, an author, has moved the family to Melbourne from their small home town in Queensland with his partner, Sally. Art is struggling to fit in, arriving into his first year at high school, bullied by Jack but beginning to make friends though thye too, are a outsiders.

Dad relies on Sally to deal with crises as he locks himself away to work through the stages of writing, but has high expectations of Art also becoming a writer. Sally is Art's sounding board as he struggles to become more independent and not rely on others, but is testing his relationship with Hilary in the process. In Queensland, the boys had a fig tree where they met to work out problems and plan projects, in Melbourne, they adopt a paperback tree in an empty block across the road. But is Art too old now to platy in a tree?

McEwen as woven many threads together in this heartfelt story about the challenges of growing up, finding yourself, and then remaining true to that self. Along with bullying, navigating different family structures, sibling and peer relationships and also doing what's right - ethical choices are needed when Art starts to plot revenge on the bully.

Ideally pitched for middle school readers - upper primary and moving into secondary. The emphasis is on relationships, rather than action, with a positive resolution for all.

[readingwithmissbec · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠: 𝙽𝚎𝚎𝚔𝚊 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚋𝚢 𝚃𝚒𝚗𝚊 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚗

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚢

𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛: @harpercollinsaustralia

𝙼𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠:
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠: 𝙽𝚎𝚎𝚔𝚊 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚋𝚢 𝚃𝚒𝚗𝚊 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚗

𝙼𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠:

Neeka and the Storm is a beautifully written middle-grade book about an 11-year-old miniature zookeeper, Neeka, who fears thunderstorms. During a scary storm, Neeka’s family notices she is afraid, and her grandmother comforts her by telling a magical story about visiting the zoo.

As her grandmother shares tales of animals and playful zoo adventures, Neeka forgets about the storm outside. As the stories progress through the evening, they make her feel brave. The animals, lions, giraffes, and monkeys come alive through Neeka’s imagination, turning fear into imagination.

The depth of the characters is a true testament to Tina Strachan’s storytelling. Neeka shines as a strong and relatable main character, but the background characters do not. Her family, friends, and animals add warmth and charm to the story. I loved getting to know them all.

This story is fun and exciting, filled with heart, humour, and excitement. It’s a perfect read for children who need a little help facing their fears, and for children who love storytelling and animals.

#ChildrensBooks #BookReview #PictureBook #KidLit #ReadToKids #RaisingReaders #BookstagramKids #ZooBooks #NeekaAndTheStorm #TinaStratchen #MaxHamiltonIllustrator

𝙼𝚢 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐:
0/🌶️

[Lauren Makepeace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt book that reminds us all what it feels like to grow up. Art is 12, and his Mother has recently moved overseas, and he's moved to another city and another school with his Father, step-Mum, and younger brother. His Dad is often absent, and just doesn't listen. He's being bullied and school. His little brother is perfect. His Dad is a writer and wants him to follow in his footsteps, but Art isn't very good at English.
The book is good at capturing the many nuanced reasons we struggle as teenagers, fitting in, finding people we can rely on, learning what we enjoy and what we're good at. It's also good at showing what proactive strategies can be, like trying new things and making new friends, without it feeling forced.
This book has been nominated in the CBCA book of the year shortlist. It's in the category for 'younger readers' (middle-upper primary, 7-12 years). I think perhaps this is a little too young, given the protagonist is 12 and has started high school. There's no themes that are inappropriate for younger readers, I just think they wouldn't resonate with it as much. Personally I think the ideal age would be year 6 (11-12yo), with a range of 11-14yo finding it enjoyable, but I'm reading it as an adult, so perhaps I'm wrong. I have a 9.5yo son, and I don't know that he'd quite resonate with it just yet, although I'd have no qualms about him giving it a go, and the language is simple, yet effective.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as short-listed for CBCA younger readers for 2026.
And what a sweet book. Really enjoyed the journey of Art and brother Hilary as they move to Melbourne with their author dad and step mum Sally.
Starting a new school and trying to make friends, joining clubs to fit in and trying to avoid the resident bully Jack, who has his own personal issues going on.
Art has to learn to have an interest and block out the negatives - Like his dad not being present and avoiding important conversations.
He learns that revenge is not the best option, after Jack pulls his pants down. And learns to focus on what is important and not try to change other people’s path in life.
Maybe year 5 and above, and the friendship themselves are more middle school.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art and Hilary have moved to Melbourne with their father and stepmother. Being the new kid at school, Art is found by the bully in a nanosecond and wishes he was invisible. He worries about his little brother Hilary, but doesn’t tell anyone that he is his best friend. Friends are hard to come by, and Star Wars is the catalyst for Art meeting Micah and Lexie, but he is not sure they are the friends for him. A chance sighting of the bully at the football game gives Art insights into his family, but it doesn’t change anything. High school and growing up are tricky, and he makes mistakes. How does Art sort it and himself?
Recommended for readers 10 years and older.

[Holly Cardamone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender. That's the best overall way to describe this beautiful coming of age story about acceptance, fitting in, finding friends and learning from mistakes. It's pure heart, full of characters that are so lifelike they jump off the page. There are so many things I loved about this book, but one thing I'll highlight is it felt like a love letter to books and to reading, and I loved that the main character Art was a bit of a reluctant reader, but an incredible librarian put the right book in his hands to help him see the magic in reading.

[Millie Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. I have always loved the way YA fiction looks at life through such sincere and curious eyes. It can be easy to forget how tricky growing up is; little Art reminds us that the trickiness often teaches us the most. And that though the ones we love may be infallible, they are also irreplaceable.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

12yo Art and his younger brother Hilary move from Queensland to Melbourne with their dad and stepmother Sally. With so many changes Art struggles to find his way at school, and with friends and family. The book is a good coming-of-age story and tenderly told.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle, sweet story about navigating family and friendships during the first year of high school. It’s wonderful to see a gentle story written with a male protagonist. Looking forward to sharing this with students.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally read this.

It's so good.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and tender
I loved it

[Kat Schrav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coming of age novel for years 5 &6 boys.

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows how growing up isn’t always easy, and it’s okay to ask for help when things get tough.

[CeCe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with great characters who felt real. Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Award- Younger Readers.

[Krandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down. A nice all-rounded, coming of age book, not too chunky. Would be very easy for young teens to relate to.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good characters and some big themes: bullying, fitting in, family breakdown etc.