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
Billy and the Epic Escape
By Jamie Oliver Reviewed by Sophia Evans Billy and The Epic Escape is the exciting sequel to Jamie Oliver’s children’s debut, Billy and the Giant Adventure, both illustrated by Mónica Armiño. I haven’t read the first book, but it was pretty easy
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
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
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
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
The Kindness Project
By Deborah Abela Reviewed by Helen Gearing Deborah Abela has written over 30 books for children, including the bestselling Max Remy series and the CBCA Notable The Book of Wondrous Possibilities. Abela is also a Writer Ambassador for Room to Read, an
The Dragon’s Treasure and The Vanishing
By Mark Greenwood Reviewed by Sandy Driessens On a summer morning in 1931, four children on a remote beach in Western Australia, discovered ancient coins buried, like treasure in the sand. It ignited a treasure hunt that uncovered silver coins, hidden chests
Meet Rebecca Lim, author of Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky – Book Links 2024 Children’s Historical Fiction award shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children, 2023. The Fortune Maker by Catherine Norton, Harper Collins, 2023. Inkflower by Suzy Zail, Walker Books,
Leaf Letters
By Lorena Carrington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray If there is a formula for creating a wonderfully engaging junior fiction novel it must surely involve intrepid friends, hidden treasure and secret codes. Lorena Carrington is best known as an artist, with many
The Apprentice Witnesser
By Bren MacDibble Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bren MacDibble burst onto the children's literature world with How to Bee, a post apocalyptic story that won many awards including 2018 CBCA Book of the Year, Younger Readers. That was followed by The Dog
Detective Beans & The Case of the Missing Hat
By Li Chen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Li Chen was born in Beijing, China, and moved to New Zealand when she was five. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat is her first graphic novel. Detective Beans, in trench coat and
Shower Land 2: Feel the Freeze
By Nat Amoore Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury The unstoppable Nat Amoore returns with the second book in her junior fiction Shower Land series, titled Feel the Freeze. After taking a shower sends Felix on a medieval adventure in the first
Esme in the Limelight
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Helen Gearing Kate Gordon’s poignant middle-grade novel Aster’s Good, Right Things won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2021 and its companion title, Xavier in the Meantime, was shortlisted in the same category
Ultra Violet 1: Down to Business
Written by Cristy Burne Illustrated by Rebel Challenger Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd This is the first book in a new junior graphic novel series published by humour specialists Larrikin House. Author Cristy Burne has degrees in biotechnology and science communication and has written
Seven Wherewithal Way: Over the Mountains and Through the Desert
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing Samantha-Ellen Bound’s highly original debut novel, What the Raven Saw (shortlisted for the Adelaide Festival Literature Award), planted her firmly on the Australian kidlit scene in 2013 and her latest middle-grade series, Seven Wherewithal Way,
Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies
By Alison D. Stegert Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Mischief is afoot, and Queen Victoria is not amused begins the enticing cover blurb of Alison D. Stegert’s action-packed historical adventure for middle grade readers. In the spirit of the Enola Holmes series, this
Frog Squad Dessert Disaster (Frog Squad, #1)
By Kate and Jol Temple, Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This light hearted adventure featuring an evil toad who wants to rule the world being foiled by a team of brave amphibians has serious underflying themes about the natural world, sustainability, and
Tweet
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Helen Gearing Morris Gleitzman, Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018-2019, has sold four million copies of his novels in Australia alone, as well as being published in more than 20 other countries. Gleitzman has a well-deserved reputation for
The Night War
By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bradley wrote the Newbery Honor Books The War That Saved My Life and its sequel The War I Finally Won, two heart-warming stories about a girl's experiences in England during WW2. The Night War,
Right Way Down and other poems
Chosen by Rebecca M Newman & Sally Murphy Illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This efferfescent collection of poems, aimed at upper primary school children aged 9 - 12 has been put together by Rebecca M. Newman, an award-winning children’s poet
Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans
By Adam Wallace. Illustrated by Dave Atze Reviewed by Helen Gearing New York Times bestselling author Adam Wallace (whose mission is to entertain kids, inspire them with a love of reading, and eat a lot of hot chips) has teamed up with
Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallow Book
By Lian Tanner Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lian is a prolific writer of outstanding children’s fantasy. Her books are enjoyable on many levels as she puts her always varied cast of characters in interesting conflicts, has a sense of
The Witches’ Council: Lily Halfmoon 2
By Xavier Bonet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second in the Lily Halfmoon graphic novel series which is about the magical adventures of a young girl, Lily, and her friends. Lily is a secret witch who meets other magical people in
A Dream For Every Night
By Angela Casabene & Camille Manley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Angela Casabene is the author of the picture book All You Can Be, a book encouraging children to fulfill their potential. Now she has teamed up with Camille Manley, a Gold Coast
Girls
Written and illustrated by Annet Schaap Translated from the Dutch by Laura Watkinson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Girls by the Dutch writer and artist Annet Schaap is an original, challenging, maybe even hair raising collection of fairy tales that are not at all
Finding Bear
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Finding Bear is a continuation of Hannah Gold's debut and award winning novel The Last Bear (reviewed in StoryLinks) but it works very well as a stand alone. Hannah has also written
Mim and the Vicious Vendetta (The Travelling Bookshop, #5)
By Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, perhaps best known for her multi award-winning historical fiction (Waiting for the Storks; Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief; and We are Wolves), has teamed up with beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini
