1997 Australian Book of the Year Awards

Book of the Year: Older Readers

• James Moloney, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove (University of Queensland Press)

• David Metzenthen, Johnny Hart's Heroes (Penguin Books Australia)
• Wendy Orr, Peeling the Onion (Little Ark/Allen & Unwin)

Book of the Year: Younger Readers

• Libby Gleeson (illustrator Ann James), Hannah Plus One (Penguin Books Australia)

• Elizabeth Honey (illustrator William Clarke), Don't Pat the Wombat (Little Ark/Allen & Unwin)
• Emily Rodda, Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal (Omnibus Books)

Picture Book of the Year

• Elizabeth Honey, Not a Nibble (Little Ark/Allen & Unwin)

• Ann James (text Margaret Wild), The Midnight Gang (Omnibus Books)
• Julie Vivas (text Ana Zamorano), Let's Eat (Omnibus Books)

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

• Gordon Cheers and Julie Silk (illustrator Margaret Crosby-Fairall) Killer Plants (Penguin Books Australia)

• Janeen Brian, Pilawuk - When I was Young (Era Publications)
• Weldon Owen Team Reptiles (Little Ark/Allen & Unwin)