Registration & Account Access
Logging in is as simple as clicking the link sent to you upon registration! This is how you should always login (rather than by username and password like past years). If you’re having trouble finding the link, you can have it resent to you via the login page. We have made this change to support schools running multiple groups under one account.
For convenience, we recommend bookmarking your login link.
Yes. We have overhauled our registration form to simplify the signup process. Now users can create an account, create a group and pay in one go.
Yes! You can change category yourself through the dashboard tab. We do not advise changing category after registrations close to ensure your judges have enough time to read the books.
If you did not receive a login link upon registration and do not receive a link when inputting your email on the login page, you may have entered your email address incorrectly. Message shadowjudging@cbca.org.au for support.
This year registrations close on June 16th.
Payment
No. We are a small not-for-profit and unfortunately do not have the resources to accept purchase orders at this time. Registration fees should be paid by credit card.
No! This year we have opened up the program to non-members – but CBCA branch members do get special benefits including access to digital copies of select Shortlist titles thanks to our wonderful partners, Story Box Library and Sora. If you are not a member, a representative of your local branch will be in touch to discuss membership.
The registration fee is used to cover the administration costs of the program and website.
Groups & Categories
You can register multiple groups in the initial registration process or add them on afterwards. You must register at least one group to begin.
We don’t restrict group sizes but advise no more than a class size. In our trials we have had groups from 3-25. Each group gets only one vote and incurs the registration fee.
Yes. You can change your category by editing your group through the dashboard tab – just be sure that your group has adequate time to judge the books. Please notify your state coordinator of any changes.
No, the Award for New Illustrator category is not included in Shadow Judging. This is because the judging criteria is extremely different to other categories, and focused on art techniques rather than literary techniques.
Reading
No, groups are expected to acquire the Shortlist books at their own expense. But CBCA Members will be given free access to any available digital copies of the books through our partners Story Box Library and Sora.
The CBCA Shortlist will be announced on March 25. This is when your reading list will become available! The Shortlist will be shared both here and on the CBCA website and socials. Groups can decide their category ahead of time or wait for the Shortlist to make a final decision.
Be sure not to confuse the 2025 Shortlist with the 2024 Shortlist!
You can organise your group and complete registration ahead of time. If you’re not sure what category to judge, review past years’ Shortlist and discuss the options with your group. You can still change your category after registration. You can also review the 2025 Notables list (released on February 25) to see what books you may be judging. Watch CBCA socials for exact release time of the Shortlists.
Groups judging the Older or Younger Readers categories have the heaviest workload of all groups. We highly recommend that groups judging these categories are prepared in advance of the release of the Shortlist. Make your group members aware of the August 1 Voting deadline, and purchase your books and start reading as soon as possible after the Shortlist is announced. Purchase multiple copies of each title or prepare a reading roster to help students rotate through the books (participants who are CBCA members will also have complimentary access to selected digital copies through Story Box Library and Sora).
Creative Responses & Voting
A Creative Response is a creative work by a Shadow Judge made in response to a Shortlist book and uploaded to this website. A Creative Response may be created to help a Judge analyse and judge a book, or may simply be an expression of their experience reading or participating in the program. Common Response types include: artwork and sculptures, book reviews, book trailers, podcasts, group photos, class displays, PowerPoints and book cover redesigns – but they can be anything you can imagine! View the Creative Response gallery for inspiration from other groups.
Note that while Responses can be created in any format, the formats in which they can be shared on the website are limited. See the tutorial document in the Resources page for more information.
As many or as few as you wish!
You can submit Creative Responses until the end of the school year.
Votes are due on August 1st.
Votes from all groups are tallied. There is one winner per category.