Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing In the final installment of her exciting portal fantasy series, Samantha-Ellen Bound keeps the stakes high (and mythological creatures flowing) while exploring themes of courage, friendship, and growing up. Celeste and her little sister Esme have
Aggie Flea is NOT a Liar!
Written by Tania Ingram Illustrated by A. Yi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd South Australian author Tania Ingram has published various picture books, junior fiction stories and the middle grade novel The Other Shadow since making her debut in 2013. Before becoming a full-time
Thunder City
By Philip reeve Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Philip's first book was the epic YA steampunk Mortal Engines, 2001, which created a world of 'municipal Darwinism', where rampaging motorised towns and cities are on the move, attacking and eating each other, prowling around
Juniper’s Christmas
By Eoin Colfer Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Sophia Evans Here's a story for those who like to read about Christmas at any time of the year. Juniper’s Christmas follows protagonist Juniper Lane as she discovers the science behind the magic of
Neeka and the Missing Key (Wilder Zoo, #1)
By Tina Strachan & Max Hamilton Reviewed by Sophia Evans I’ve always loved a good book that includes a map at the front and this book fits that category to a tee. Neeka and the Missing Key is the first book in
11 Ruby Road 1925
By Charlotte Barkla Reviewed by Margaret McKay Lowndes Charlotte Barkla has structured her historical fiction series around a single address, 11 Ruby Road, and 1925 is the second instalment, the first having been set in 1900. In this story, the first family
Ariana Treasure: The Missing Book; The Secret Ingredient
By Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern Illustrated by Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Meg Rowe When the bells above Ariana’s mum’s thrift shop, the Treasure Chest, start to jingle, you can be sure something interesting is about to happen! Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern’s The Missing Book, is
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles
By Corey Tutt Illustrated by Ben Williams Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Deadly Science founder Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists. has here teamed up with Ben Williams to produce a gorgeous and informative book celebrating First Nations knowledge about animals found on
Especially Good Greek Myths
By R.A. Spratt Reviewed by Helen Gearing One of R.A. Spratt’s most beloved characters, Nanny Piggins (a fabulously beautiful, supremely athletic nanny who firmly trusts in the power of chocolate to heal any ailment troubling the children in her care), returns in
The Thylacine and the Time Machine
By Renée Treml Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Renée has degrees in biology and environmental science, and her passionate love of natural history shines through in this fascinating, information rich, graphic examination of the history and possible future of the Tasmanian tiger or
Spirit of the Crocodile
By Aaron Fa’Aoso & Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White Reviewed by Helen Gearing Co-writers Aaron Fa’Aoso (producer, actor and screenwriter) and Michelle Scott Tucker (biographer and author) have teamed with children’s publishing consultant Lyn White (editor of the middle-grade series Through
The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science
Written by Kate McKinnon and illustrated by Alfredo Cáceres Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “I must write a book about Mad Science for the young, because it is the young who will save us, and indeed must save themselves. - Dr G. Edwina
Little Bones
By Sandy Bigna Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ‘Night slides in with its warm-scented breath, swallowing up the shrinking sun and gently flicking its star-lights on. This lyrical debut verse novel immediately reaches out to touch your heart with its original imagery and evocative language. It
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest
By Liz Flanagan Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Liz Flanagan is the UK writer of the middle grade fantasy series Legends of the Sky, and the YA thriller Eden Summer. Into the Wild is the first in her new Wildsmith
Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day
By Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent Jamieson is the author of the gorgeous children's book The Giant and the Sea as well as mnay adult books. He and Brent Wilson first teamed up with Mr Impoppable, a
To and Fro
By Anton Clifford-Motopi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Brisbane-based author Anton Clifford-Motopi is a former teacher and lecturer who currently works as a health researcher at a university. Anton’s stories explore themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendship, and draw from ‘
Every Rock Has a Story: an A to Z of Australian geology
By Kitty van Cuylenburg Illustrated by Cher Hart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This informative book explores 26 iconic landforms, minerals, fossils or resources all with interesting tales to tell. Each letter has a keyword underneath it to show what type of geological feature
Wave Atlas: Everything you need to know about waves
By Sarah Zambello Illustrated by Susy Zanella Produced in collaboration with the University of Genoa, Sea Study Centre Translated by Emma Mandley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something different in information books - not only is Wave Atlas a carefully researched scientific explanation of
Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most beloved and awarded authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15. One of the
Chickenpox
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Remy Lai is the much awarded Brisbane based author/illustrator of the popular graphic novels Pawcasso, Ghost Book and Read At Your Own Risk and more. She is adept at showing the mixed emotions of teens
The Bee Squad
Boosting biodiversity in your neighbourhood by Judy Friedlander Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dr Judy Friedlander is the founder of PlantingSeeds Projects, the environmental organisation whose flagship program is the B&B Highway. She is passionate about teaching children and adults how to create conditions
Subscribe to StoryLinks and go in the draw to win a pass to Dragonkeeper film
Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson, Book One in the Dragonkeeper series has won many awards, including the CBC Book of the Year, Younger Readers and the Queensland Premier Literary Award in 2004. In Ancient China, Han Dynasty. a young slave girl
Frog Squad Bungle in the Jungle (Frog Squad, #2)
By Kate and Jol Temple Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second adventure featuring the four intrepid frogs, after Frog Squad Dessert Disaster. This time they receive a distress call from an old pal whose island home, Croakomo, is
Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: Mall Madness!!! (Book 3)
By Adam Wallace & Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Adam Wallace says he aims to entertain kids and inspire them with a love of reading. His numerous books include Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans, and the 18,000 Holes in the
The Cave
By Victor Kelleher Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Victor Kelleher is a standout in the history of Australian children's literature. Born in London in 1939, he moved to South Africa with his parents and then settled in Australia as an adult. He has
Family Road Trip Games
A Pocket Book of Activities, Puzzles and Trivia to Play on the Go! By Jack Henseleit Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Normally Henseleit writes narrative fiction that aims to get children hooked on reading such as his middle grade horror series The Withing Hours
Australian Backyard Birds
By Myke Mollard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our backyards are the places where children first learn to observe and experience the unique environment that Australia offers. Birds that visit these spaces are many and varied and are an important part of learning
Alias Anna
Zhanna Arshanskaya: a biography in verse : a true story of outwitting the Nazis By Susan Hood with Greg Dawson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sometimes harrowing, always inspiring story of how a talented young Ukrainian Jewish pianist survived World War
A Matter of Cats
By Elizabeth Hutchins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The author was inspired to write this novel by the dilemma of being both a cat lover and passionate about the preservation of Australia’s endangered species. The story is told through the eyes of Kate, a
Celebrity Children’s books
Many celebrities, famous for achieving in their particular field of endeavour, whether it be sport, cooking, acting, marrying a royal person or whatever, decide to write a book for children, with varying success. Recently Jamie Oliver's book Billy and Epic
