Education Minister bans books by author Craig Silvey in public schools, including Jasper Jones, Runt, Honeybee

Education Minister Sabine Winton has ordered all public schools to stop using books by acclaimed WA author Craig Silvey, just hours after he faced court on Tuesday accused of child sex offences. The 43-year-old author has been charged with allegedly distributing child exploitation material and communicating with paedophiles online. Mr Silvey’s first published novel, Rhubarb, is featured on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s list of prescribed texts for year 11 or 12 ATAR literature, alongside his far more well-known book, Jasper Jones. Jasper Jones — a multi award-winning coming of age story set in a fictional rural town — is also a suggested text for students taking year 11 or 12 ATAR English and General English courses. Many WA schools include the novel on their booklists of required text books. “The nature of these allegations is deeply concerning,” Ms Winton said. “I have asked the Department of Education to ensure that schools cease using texts by Craig Silvey for the 2026 school year while the allegations are under investigation. “Some students may have studied these texts in previous years. “The School Curriculum and Standards Authority will not penalise year 12 students who may refer to these texts in the 2026 ATAR Literature course examination. “Given this matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to provide any further comment.” The City of Subiaco on Tuesday announced Mr Silvey would no longer lend his name to its annual competition for young writers, open to school-age children from across WA. One of the State’s best-known authors, Mr Silvey had been patron of the Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers since 2023. City of Subiaco Mayor David McMullen posted a statement on the city’s website on Tuesday saying Mr Silvey was not a patron this year. “The City of Subiaco’s arrangements for the Young Writers Award are made on an annual basis,” he said. “The city has no ongoing arrangement with Craig Silvey. Mr Silvey will have no affiliation with the 2026 Young Writers Award.” Just a few months ago, at the October ceremony to announce the winners of the 2025 awards, Mr McMullen was quoted thanking Mr Silvey for his “ongoing patronage”. Other books by the acclaimed author include Honeybee, about a transgender teen, and Runt, his first book for younger readers, about a girl and her dog, who save their family farm by winning a London dog show. Runt was made into a feature film in 2024. A sequel to Runt went on sale late last year, and Mr Silvey visited schools and bookshops across Australia to promote it.