Spotlight Please… it’s Stevie Louise
By Tanya Hennessy with illustrations from Leigh Hedstrom Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tanya Hennessy is a Jill of all trades with careers as a TV presenter, comedian, radio announcer, podcaster, and author. Spotlight Please is the second book after Drum Roll Please
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Misfortune
By Sophie Cleverly Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Sophie Cleverly is best known for her middle-grade series Scarlet and Ivy, which is comprised of 6 books. The Violet Veil Mysteries is Cleverly’s newest mystery series with A Case of Misfortune being
Gus and the Starlight
By Victoria Carless Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Victoria is a Brisbane based writer who has previously published the YA coming-of-age novel The Dream Walker. Gus and the Starlight is a touching story about a family trying to establish itself in a new place
The Way of Dog
By Zana Fraillon Illustrated by Sean Buckingham Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Verse novels are becoming increasingly popular and more and more are being published. Their way of telling narrative is intense and focused, using poetic techniques such as metaphor, simile, repetition, imagery and
Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed!
By Madeleine Roux and illustrated by Tim Probert Reviewed by Sarah Custance The roleplaying tabletop game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ has been seen monumental success since it’s release in 1974. It has recently gained a new fanbase in younger audiences with schools now
The Last Light Horse
By Dianne Wolfer Illustrated by Brian Simmonds Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Dianne Wolfer has won numerous awards for her many children’s books that range from picture books, to middle-grade readers, and in this case, short historical fiction books. The Last Light
Shockingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is the NSW-based author of the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched a popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A. Spratt’, in early
Lucky Bunnies
By Zanna Davidson Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Zanna Davidson has written many books for young readers including the popular Fairy Unicorns series as well as Billy and the Mini Monsters series. She has also written a few books for the
Mim and the Woeful Wedding : The Travelling Bookshop #2
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Mim and the Woeful Wedding is the second book in The Travelling Bookshop series by Australian author Katrina Nannestad. Nannestad is also the acclaimed author of four other young reader book series:
Rockstar Detectives
By Adam Hills Illustrated by Luna Valentine Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Comedians writing children’s novels is a thing. It started with David Walliams’ highly successful The Boy in the Dress. Funny men David Baddiel and David O’Doherty have also contributed to this trend.
Milo Finds $105: Bored #1
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Matt Stanton is the Sydney-based co-creator of many humorous picture books—including There’s a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts and This is a Ball—as well as the author/illustrator of the popular middle grade series Funny
The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Kate Gordon has a gift for writing lyrical prose which has seen her achieve critical acclaim both for her “Direleafe Hall” series, and “Aster’s Good Right Things” which was the 2021 CBCA Book of the
Skydragon: Brave the Storm #4
By Ahn Do Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Anh Do has topped the bestselling charts again and again with his series for both younger readers and now his middle-grade aimed series. Sky Dragon: Brave the Storm is the
The Naughtiest Unicorn#10 On a Treasure Hunt
By Pip Bird Illustrated by David O'Connell Reviewed by Sarah Custance On a Treasure Hunt is the 10th instalment in The Naughtiest Unicorn book series by author Pip Bird. The series follows the misadventures of ever optimistic Mira and her UBBF (Unicorn Best
The Ogress and the Orphans
By Kelly Barnhill Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kelly Barnhill won the Newbery Medal for The Girl Who Drank the Moon, 2016, and has written several other best selling novels for children including The Witch's Boy, 2014, and her latest is The Ogress
Into the Sideways World
By Ross Welford Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd British author Ross Welford, a former TV producer and self-proclaimed ‘magic nerd’ who performs his ‘Time Travelling Rope Trick’ during school visits, has written seven stand-alone middle grade science-fiction/fantasy novels. His titles include Time Travelling
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again
Written by David Walliams Illustrated by Tony Ross Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Finley, aged 9, who enjoys funny books and likes to draw. This book is a sequel to Gangsta Granny. Quite a few precious things go missing from museums in ways that
The What on Earth Institute of Wonder
By Lisa Nicol Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lisa Nicol is the author of the CBCA Notable book Boogaloo and the Girl Who Lost Her Laughter along with Vincent and the Grandest Hotel on Earth which has gained a worldwide audience and has
Einstein the Penguin
By Iona Rangeley Illustrated by David Tazzyman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming animal story is the debut novel of a young Oxford graduate illustrated in a zany cartoon style that perfectly suits the subject. It is set in London in late December. The
Once Upon a Crime: Murder Most Unladylike #11
By Robin Stevens Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd American-born British author Robin Stevens is the mastermind behind the incredibly successful middle grade series Murder Most Unladylike. The series includes nine full novels and two short story collections; Once Upon a Crime is the
Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #16
By Jeff Kinney Puffin 2021 Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Thomas What is this book about? This book is about a kid who doesn’t really want to play sports, but his mum makes him find a team sport to join. He gets a flash
Ming & Flo Fight For the Future
Book #1 The Girls Who Changed the World By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French is the much awarded former Children's Laureate whose published books for children are too numerous to mention. She excels at bringing history alive for young readers.
Friday Barnes 10: Undercover
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author R.A. Spratt is well known for her middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes, and The Peski Kids. Undercover is the tenth and latest addition to the Friday Barnes book series. When we last
Big Apple Diaries
By Alyssa Bermudez Reviewed by Sarah Custance Alyssa is just your average 7th grader, worrying about how to mix her social life (or lack thereof) with her studies so that she can get into a good high school. Between bullies, crushes, friends
The Royal Ranger: Escape From Falaise
By John Flanagan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author John Flanagan is world renowned for his works, The Ranger’s Apprentice and The Brotherband series of books. Escape from Falaise is the 5th instalment of The Royal Ranger series which is intertwined within
The Book of Stolen Dreams
By David Farr Illustrated by Kristina Kister Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Farr writes for film, tv and theatre mostly aimed at adult audiences and this is his first foray into the world of children's books. He has succeeded admirably in creating an
Born to Run
By Cathy Freeman Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Cathy Freeman is a Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman who now lives in Melbourne although she grew up in Queensland. Her unforgettable win at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was the highlight
Wonder
By R J Palacio Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. Wonder is a multi-million copy bestselling and critically acclaimed novel written by R. J. Palacio that is renowned for its ground-breaking ideas
Ghosts
By Raina Telgemeier Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Ghosts is Raina Telgemeier’s 4th award-winning graphic novel, following her acclaimed and award-winning Smile series which quickly gained her a huge number of fans. She is also an illustrator for the graphic adaptation
Round the Twist
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Round the Twist, a collection of stories famous for their surprising endings, burst upon an unsuspecting reading public in 1990 and became an instant success. This new edition published to coincide with the TV series
