Hester Hitchins and the Falling Stars
By Catherine Norton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another fascinating glimpse into the lives of girls and women in Victorian England from a writer adept at bringing history to sparkling life for young readers. Norton's other books are Crossing and The
Alphabetter
A Better You and Me, from A to Z By Maura Pierlot & Jorge Garcia Redondo Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author, playwright and ethicist Maura Pierlot, has written an alphabet book with a difference. She has combined the alphabet with purposely selected
Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret
By Amy Doak Reviewed by Lucille Rose Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret is the sequel to Amy Doak’s Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer. This is the story of sixteen-year-old amateur detective, Eleanor Jones, as she continues to uncover the mysteries
The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes
By Frané Lessac Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Frané is an Australian author and illustrator. Her art has been called naïve, primitive, folk art but while her work here is simple (to suit the intended young audience), it is the considered expression of
What Do You Call Your Dad?
By Ashleigh Barton & Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian children’s author Ashleigh Barton has teamed up with Martina Heiduczek to create several notable picture books, including What do you call your grandma? (CBCA shortlist 2022), What do you call your
A Wish For Baby
By Caz Goodwin & Sara Acton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caz Goodwin is the author of the Little Matilda and Daisy series as well as Grace and Mr Milligan. Here she has teamed up with the prolific Sara Acton, whose lively illustrations
Superheroes for a Day
By Craig Cormick Illustrated by Lauren Mullinder Reviewed by Judy Wollin. Award winning Craig Cormick has written all his life and across a number of genres. He won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award in 2006 for A Funny Thing Happened at 27,000 Feet
Is My Phone Reading My Mind?
The real facts about Artificial Intelligence By Matt Agnew Illustrations by Hana Kinoshita Thomson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dr Matt Agnew has a doctorate in astrophysics and a masters in artificial intelligence so he knows what he is talking about. His mission here is
Book Links August Newsletter
Book Links aims to keep you informed of all that is happening and significant in the children's book world. Here is the latest newsletter to explore and enjoy. Book Links August Newsletter
Read At Your Own Risk
By Remi Lai Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Read At Your Own Risk is the latest middle grade graphic novel from Ghost Book creator Remi Lai. It’s creepy and kooky, and likely to displease some children’s literature gatekeepers as it plays around
QLA: Finalists in the Children’s Book Awards
Congratulations to the five finalists in the Queensland Literary Awards Children's Book Awards Leaf-light Trace Balla (Allen & Unwin) Judges' comments: Leaf-light is a delightful, child-centred celebration of family and community. Balla weaves a tale of springtime in Djaara Country with humour and compassion.
The Real Cowgirl
By Isabelle Duff & Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author, Isabelle Duffy, has written this heart-warming story based on her experiences as a young girl living on a farm in NSW. It is about the special relationship between a girl
When the Lights Went Out
By Lian Tanner & Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Helen Gearing By the same powerhouse creators as the award-winning Ella and the Ocean, When the Lights Went Out is a visually stunning and warm-hearted story about new experiences and the joy of community. The
The Doll Box
By Deborah Kelly & Joanna Bartel Reviewed by Margarite Igras With the present-day interest in family ancestry in mind, here is a poignant story about three maternal generations of women, their personal stories of resilience, strength and self-belief in overcoming life challenges,
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
By Carla Fitzgerald Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carla wrote the picture book Keeping Up with the Dachshunds and How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five, reviewed in StoryLinks, another funny and heartwarming story also aimed at middle grade readers. In How to
Unreal
Can you tell fact from fake? by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Leila Rudge Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I learned a new word today, cryptid, an animal that some people believe is real but whose existence isn't backed up by strong evidence. There is
Jeff Giraffe The Great Escape
By Amelia McInerney & Alexandra Colombo Reviewed by Margarite Igras Amelia McInerney has written several funny stories for young children, each with endearing characters, engaging storylines and appealing titles, such as The Book Chook (CBCA Notable Book), Who Fed Zed, and
The Unexpected Mess of It All
Written by Gabrielle Tozer Reviewed by Jamie Willis Gabrielle Tozer is the award-winning author of seven books, including Remind Me How This Ends, Can’t Say It Went to Plan and The Intern, and her latest novel, The Unexpected Mess of It All, is a heart-warming coming-of-age YA
Astrochimp
Written by David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Jamie Willis David Walliams is the bestselling author of more than 40 books for children, and Astrochimp is his debut graphic novel, illustrated in full colour by the award-winning Adam Stower. Chump the chimpanzee
Jack’s Island
By Norman Jorgensen Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jack’s Island is an award-winning book by Norman Jorgensen, which was first released in 2008, and has been re-released with a very appealing new cover. The story begins with Jack and his family travelling by
Rebecca Lim wins the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
Congratulations to Rebecca Lim, winner of the 2024 Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction for her middle grade novel Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky, Allen & Unwin Children, 2023. Judges' Comments: Set in the fifties, this compelling historical novel reveals
Something Special (40th Anniversary Edition)
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan If you are looking for a writer whose stories appeal to children of all ages, try a book by Emily Rodda, you won’t be disappointed. Something Special is a reissue of her debut book, first published
Breaking Pointe
By Chenée Marrapodi Reviewed by Helen Gearing In 2023, Chenée Marrapodi, host of the Writers off the Page podcast, released her debut middle-grade novel One Wrong Turn which explored the complexities of family expectations, migration, and ambition within an elite ballet academy.
Xander and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe David Lawrence’s background in comedy writing for TV productions such as Comedy Inc. and Hamish & Andy has held him in good stead in the Middle Grade writing space, bringing humour and
Rainbow Volume 1
By Sunny Gloom & Angel Gloomy Reviewed by Lucille Rose Rainbow Volume 1: Sunny and Gloomy is a charming graphic novel that tells the tale of imaginative teenager Boo Meadows. The story follows her as she dances, runs and stumbles her way
100 School Days
By Deborah Frenkel & Laura Stitzel Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Deborah Frenkel has written this story based on her daughter’s experiences in her first year of school. It is a celebratory story that will connect with parents, school children and
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
By Claire Mabey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Mabey is very active in the New Zealand literary world - she is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis. She is also books editor at The Spinoff, book critic at RNZ
The Little Street Library
By Amy Adeney & Erin McClean Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Street libraries have become very popular in Australia and they are a common sight in the major cities. In Australia there is an organisation where you can buy a little library to
The Truck Cat
By Deborah Frenkel & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a bit of a dream team of writer and illustrator: Deborah Frenkel has written quite a few picture books including the charming Naturopolis, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak, reviewed in StoryLinks,
Mackenzie Arnold 1: Finders Keepers & Mackenzie Arnold 2: Caught in the Middle
By Mackenzie Arnold, Jess Black & Hannah McCaffery Reviewed by Jamie Willis In 2023, Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was in the spotlight as the Matildas won a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi-Finals and in 2024, she will compete with
