The Truth Underneath: Writing About Things That Matter

Year Levels 5 - 9

Dee White writes with courage. Her books tackle real, sometimes difficult experiences- loneliness, identity, belonging, loss- with a rare combination of honesty and hope. In this session, Dee talks about why she writes the stories she does, and what it means to take a reader's emotional experience seriously. For students who want to write something that matters, this is the session that lets them do so. And for those reading the shortlist, Dee's session often prompts the deepest, most personal responses.

If you or one of your students would like to ask Dee a question, please contact yabba.online@yabba.org.au. 

00

DAYS

00

HOURS

00

MINS

00

SECS

Video Poster Image

Building the Vote, Classroom Connection

  • Students finalise their top two YABBA picks in their reading journal, with written justification.
  • Peer discussion pairs: students explain their first choice to a partner. The listening partner asks one challenging question.
  • Four weeks to ceremony, voting anticipation activity: students predict which book they think will win overall, and why.
  • Begin designing a 'YABBA ceremony outfit', what would you wear to celebrate books?

Classroom Activities

Years 3-6

  • Reading response: choose one moment from a YABBA shortlisted book that felt emotionally true. Write about why it resonated with you.
  • Write a letter to a character from a shortlisted book, tell them something you'd want them to know.
  • Discussion: Can a book change the way you think about something? Has any book ever done that for you?
  • Create a 'heart map', a visual representation of what matters most to you. Could any of these be the seed of a story?

 

Years 7-9

  • Close read: analyse how Dee constructs emotional authenticity, language, structure, point of view, what's said and what's left out.
  • Write a 500-word piece on a topic you find difficult. Then consider: how much would you be willing to share? And why?
  • Discussion: Where is the line between a story being 'too dark' for young readers and simply being honest?
  • YABBA final reflection: Which shortlisted book do you think will have the most lasting impact on readers? Write a persuasive response.
Victorian Curriculum Links
  • Reading and Viewing: Responding to texts with personal and critical perspectives (Levels 5–10)
  • Writing: Creating personal and persuasive texts on authentic topics (Levels 5–10)
  • Speaking and Listening: Discussing and debating ideas with reasoning and evidence (Levels 7–10)
FISO 2.0 Alignment
  • Excellence in Teaching and Learning: Personal response and critical engagement as indicators of deep reading
  • Positive Climate for Learning: Creating conditions for vulnerable, authentic student expression