My Name is Samim
By Fidan Meikle Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Fidan Meikle is an Azerbaijani-British writer and linguist based in Scotland. My Name is Samim, her debut novel, was inspired by the true story of an Afghan refugee boy. The author worked with Afghan photojournalist
The Awesome Physics in Your City
By The Amazing Theatre of Physics. Illustrated by Tomáš Kopecký Reviewed by Lauren Spencer The Awesome Physics in Your City is part of the ‘Science is all around us’ series and follows on from the first book, The Awesome Physics in Your Home.
The Disappearing Circus
By Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Kate Gordon is the award-winning author of numerous books, including the Aster series, the Secret Detectives Club series, and My Brother Finch. Helen Edwards has published three previous novels including Legend of
Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World
A curious question for every day of the year By Molly Oldfield Illustrated by Folasade Adeshida, Neil Badenhorst, Belinda Chen, Sophie Escavy Lim, Marta Antelo, Fernando Martin, Juliana Eigner, Andrés Landazabal, Henry Rancourt, Francesca Tiley, Daniel Gray-Barnett, and Meg Rennie Reviewed by Mia
The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe
By Karen Foxlee Reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Karen Foxlee is always something to celebrate and The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe is a wondrous and wonderful tale indeed, full of mystery and magic, inventive and memorable characters and
Rock Paper Incisors
By Amy Timberlake Illustrated by Jon Klassen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the third instalment in the adventures of Skunk and Badger, first encountered in Skunk and Badger #1, which was followed by Egg Marks the Spot: Skunk and Badger #2. Amy
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Fast and Slow Animals
Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sami Bayly who describes herself on her website as ‘author and illustrator of all things weird and wonderful’, combines a deep knowledge and love of animals with a remarkable ability to write
The Lost Ponies: Millie and Stella Best Friends Forever
By Josephine Moon Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the first book in the Millie and Stella Best Friends Forever series by Noosa based Josephine Moon who usually writes adult novels. Jedda Robaard is an Australian author, illustrator and
There’s a Prawn in Parliament House: The Kids’ Guide to Australia’s Amazing Democracy
By Annabel Crabb & First Dog on the Moon Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Annabel Crabb is an ABC journalist, political commentator and host of TV shows including Kitchen Cabinet and Back in Time for Dinner. First Dog on the Moon is the
The Girl and the Ghost Book 2: Family Secrets
By Jacqueline Harvey, 2025 Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Following on from her first, wonderfully appealing novel in this new series aimed at older readers, the award-winning Jacqueline Harvey has written this intriguing sequel to The Girl and the Ghost and has continued
Scarlet Morning
Written and illustrated by N D Stevenson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan N D Stevenson is a cartoonist and animation producer. He is the creator, and executive producer of the animated television series She-Ra and the Princess of Power and science fantasy graphic
Rosewood Then & Now
By Karen Tyrell & Megan Forward Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a charming history snapshot of a small Queensland town aimed at primary school readers but can be enjoyed by people of any age. The book is an initiative of the
The Beat I Drum
By Dusti Bowling Reviewed by Mia Macrossan We first met Connor in Dusti Bowling's award winning Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, the story of Aven Green who was born without arms. Now in the third instalment of the Life
The Lost Girl King
By Catherine Doyle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Catherine is the author of the award-winning middle grade Storm Keeper trilogy and the YA Blood for Blood trilogy and with The Lost Girl King she is back in familiar middle grade territory with a
Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop
By Krystal Sutherland and Martin Seneviratne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Krystal Sutherland the winner of the Prime Minister's Award for the YA novel The Invocations has here teamed up with her husband Martin Seneviratne to create a thrilling middle grade page turner,
The Lone Husky
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hannah Gold has carved a reputation for writing emotionally rich stories with strong environmental themes. From her first novel The Last Bear, its sequel, Finding Bear, to Turtle Moon and now The Lone Husky,
Liam the Chid & the Kangaroo Warriors
Written and illustrated by Meredith Downes Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Liam is an echidna destined for trouble.” Echidnas, known for their docile temperament and tendency to hide from conflict, are not an Australian animal that is usually ‘destined for trouble’. But Liam is
Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble: Legend of the Fang
By Nick Long Illustrated by Robin Tatlow-Lord. Reviewed by Lauren Spencer When he isn’t searching for lost cities in the Amazon and filming Netflix documentaries, Nick Long is writing his children’s book, Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble. Wait! I probably wasn’t supposed to
My Pet Croc
Written by Dani Vee Illustrations by Jules Faber Reviewed by Sophia Evans If you’re after a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming middle-grade story with a splash of chaos and a lot of mischief, My Pet Croc is the perfect choice for you! Felix is asked by his
You Choose Mega: Prehistoric Peril
By George Ivanoff Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Colby, aged 9, who writes his own comic books called Millipede Man and Green Rocket. He also loves The Beatles, and is learning the guitar. Thank you Colby for talking to us about You Choose
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping
By Craig Silvey Illustrated by Sara Acton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Craig Silvey is rapidly becoming a household name in Australia. Two of his books Honeybee #25 and Jasper Jones #24 were voted amongst the recent Top 100 Books in Radio National's 2025
Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer
By Bethany Loveridge Reviewed by Meg Rowe Talented and versatile author/illustrator Bethany Loveridge’s debut middle grade novel Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer brings an original and imaginative take to the time travel genre and shines in its ability to bring Australian history
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (Special Edition)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sophia Evans Grab a flashlight, crawl under the covers, and dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley Jefferson’s imagination. Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories is the perfect book for young readers who like a bit
Childish
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Morris Gleitzman has for many years been one of Australia’s best-loved authors for children. With 45 books to his credit, he’s never afraid to tackle difficult subjects, with relatable characters often caught in sticky situations
Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder
Written by Time Winton Illustrated by Cindy Lane Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tim Winton is an internationally renowned Australian writer and conservationist, having written more than 30 books for adults and children. A four-time winner of the Miles Franklin Award and shortlisted twice
Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish (Spud and Snowball, #1)
Written and illustrated by Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate her writing with quirky charming memorable images. She has
The 113th Assistant Librarian 2: Lost in a Book
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stuart is the author of the middle grade adventures set in Prometheus High, How to Make a Monster and its sequel The Books of the Dead, His current series, The 113th Assistant Librarian, is set in
Hairy Holes: Book 2
By Brenton E McKenna Reviewed by Sophia Evans Brenton E. McKenna is a Yawuru artist based in Broome, WA. He is the first published Indigenous graphic novel author in Australia and Hairy Holes: Book 2 is the sequel to Hairy Holes It
Millie Mak Makes Her Mark
By Alice Pung Illustrated by Sher Rill Ng Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Millie Mak is back in the final instalment of this series for younger independent readers who enjoy contemporary realistic fiction that reflects both their lives and their relationships. Now she has settled into her
The Poisoned King: Impossible Creatures 2
By Katherine Rundell Illustrated by Tomislav Tomić Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katherine Rundell, a noted John Donne scholar has another life as a much awarded children's author. She has written The Good Thieves, The Wolf Wilder, The Explorer aimed at middle grade and
