So many wonderful authors hail from so many wonderful countries around the world, but for some unknown reason Australia seems to have a particularly high concentration of AMAZING young adult writers. So here’s to you Aussies! Thank you for koalas, the Hemsworth brothers, the phrase “A dingo stole my baby!”, Crocodile Dundee, AC/DC, this guy, kangaroos, and Outback Steakhouse (wait, is that even Australian?)

Oh yeah, and thanks for all of these talented blokes and sheilas:

1. Markus Zusak

From: Sydney
Fun Fact: The Book Thief is published as an adult novel in Australia, not young adult!
Must reads: The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger

2. Melina Marchetta

From: Sydney
Fun Fact: Taught secondary-school English for ten years.
Must reads: Jellicoe Road and Finnikin of the Rock

3. Cath Crowley

From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: Three of her favorite artists are Mark Rothko, Sam Leach and Ghostpatrol.
Must reads: Graffiti Moon and A Little Wanting Song

4. Garth Nix

From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: He was once a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve
Must Reads: Sabriel and A Confusion of Princes

5. John Marsden

From: Victoria
Fun Fact: Knew he wanted to be a writer at age 9.
Must Reads: Tomorrow, When the War Began

6. Jaclyn Moriarty

From: Perth
Fun Fact: Her English thesis was on Roald Dahl.
Must Read: The Year of Secret Assignments

7. Justine Larabalestier

From: Sydney
Fun Fact: She is married to Scott Westerfeld!
Must Reads: Liar and Team Human

8. Sean Williams

From: Whyalla
Fun Fact: He writes books in the Star Wars universe!
Must Reads: Twinmaker

9. Laura Buzo

From: Sydney
Fun Fact: She plays netball. (Whatever that is.)
Must Reads: Good Oil (published as Love and Other Perishable Items in the USA)

10. Craig Silvey

From: Dwellingup
Fun Fact: He is the singer/songwriter for the indie/pop/rock band The Nancy Sikes!
Must Reads: Jasper Jones

11. Alison Goodman

From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: Alison knows Tai-Chi and how to fight with a sword.
Must Reads: Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

12. Margo Lanagan

From: Newcastle
Fun Fact: She was published only in Australia until just recently. Thank goodness!
Must Reads: The Brides of Rollrock Island and Tender Morsels

13. Catherine Jinks

From: Brisbane
Fun Fact: She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer.
Must Reads: Evil Genius

14. Lili Wilkinson

From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: She was first published when she was 12, in Voiceworks Magazine.
Must Reads: Pink

15. Isobelle Carmody

From: Victoria
Fun Fact: Began working on the Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still at high school.
Must Reads: Obernewtyn and Darkfall

16. Alexandra Adornetto

From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: She is only 21 years old!
Must Reads: Halo

17. Kirsty Eagar

From: Queensland
Fun Fact: Studied economics in college.
Must Reads: Raw Blue

Who else would you add to this list of Aussie authors? Want more Australian YA? Check out this list of books set there!