A Bedtime Full of Stories
Collected and retold by Angela McAllister Illustrated by Anna Shepeta Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Angela McAllister has written more than 80 books for children, so she knows what appeals. Here she has gathered together an eclectic mix of short stories that are perfect
Following Frankenstein
By Catherine Bruton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has had an enduring impact on the hearts and minds of all who read her ground-breaking book. The monster created by Frankenstein out of plundered corpses has entered the public consciousness and
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is very much a companion volume to the award winning We Are Wolves, same topic, same illustrator, same book format but this time instead of seeing World War II from a
Worst. Holiday. Ever.
By Charlie Higson Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Illustrated by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond books and The Enemy series, excels at humorous and heart-warming middle grade in Worst. Holiday. Ever. Twelve-year-old Stan is a shy, anxious, skinny kid from a
Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal
By Rosanne Hawke Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This is the third book in a series by multi award winning Australian author, Rosanne Hawke, which began with Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll (2014) and its sequel Jehan and the Quest of the
Daughter of the Deep
By Rick Riordan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Rick Riordan is the international bestseller of over 30 novels including the much-acclaimed Percy Jackson series. Daughter of the Deep is the first in a new series for Riordan inspired by Jules Verne’s unforgettable character,
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat
By Monica McInerney Illustrated by Danny Snell Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling novelist of many novels and short story collections for adults. Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat is her first delve into children’s books. 10-year-old
Pony
by R.J. Palacio Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Looking at the attractive cover of this book, one could be forgiven for thinking that Pony, by R.J. Palacio, is a book about a boy and his pony. However, Pony is so much more. The
The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere
A Kingdom and Empires book By Jaclyn Moriarty Illustrated by Kelly Canby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the fourth title set in the Kingdoms and Empires aimed at middle grade readers. Her previous award winning titles are The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte
The Secret Battle
By Pam Rushby Illustrated by Fiona McDonald Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Pamela Rushby’s previous historical fiction novels have included The Ratcatcher’s Daughter (2014) and The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle (2020). In each, her love of history shines through and this also true
My Brother Ben
By Peter Carnavas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest book by award winning Peter Carnavas is a touching story of two brothers set in an area north of Brisbane, around Cabbage Tree Creek and inspired by Peter’s memories of growing up near
Dragon Skin
By Karen Foxlee Illustrated by Dale Newman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan It is always something to celebrate when Karen Foxlee publishes a new book. She never writes the same thing twice. Each of her stories is different and come straight from the heart.
Nelson 3 : Eggplants and Dinosaurs
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is an Australian DJ, podcaster, restaurant owner, as well as the author of the Nelson series. Eggplants and Dinosaurs is the third book in the Nelson series following Pumpkins and
The School for Talking Pets
Written by Kelli Anne Hawkins Illustrated by Beth Harvey. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The cover of this book says it all. There’s adventure, excitement, intrigue, talking pets and yes, “flying pigs”. Shy Rusty Mulligan enters a world-wide contest, to win a week at “Miss
The Listies’ Teleportaloo
By Richard Higgins, Matt Kelly aka The Listies Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Listies (also known as Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly) are a comic duo based in Melbourne. They have made comedy shows for both adults and children, recorded three albums,
Kensy and Max #8: High Voltage
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jacqueline Harvey’s Kensy and Max series returns with its eighth instalment, titled High Voltage, in a high-octane addition to the action-packed spy series. Kensy and Max are supposed to be on a relaxing holiday in Portugal
Spooky Books for Halloween for Readers in Primary School
Reading Resources for parents and teachers Here are lists of recommended reading arranged alphabetically under headings that you will find useful when looking for books on particular topics. New To celebrate Halloween here are some titles that children in primary school may enjoy.
Ride the Wind: Sky Dragon #3
By Anh Do Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is fast becoming one of the most well-known names in Australian children’s literature. His million copy series include: WeirDo, Hotdog!, Ninja Kid, Wolf Girl, E-Boy, Rise of the Mythix, and
Meg McKinlay talks about writing historical fiction
'When I'm drawn to historical fiction, I think it's because of the empathic connections it enables between our contemporary lives and those of people in the past.' Meg McKinlay is a much awarded writer and poet of picture books, chapter books
Felice Arena talks about writing historical fiction
'Historical fiction is not only a portal to another time but a tangible way to try to experience the real-life emotions and human stories of those who have come before us.' Felice Arena is an actor, speaker, TV presenter and playwright
Monster Hunting for Beginners
By Ian Mark Illustrated by Louis Ghibault Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Monster Hunting for Beginners is Irish author Ian Mark’s first novel in a brand-new fantasy series that hits all the sweet spots for kids—funny, sweet and plenty of fart jokes. The story begins
A Great Escape
By Felice Arena Reviewed by Sue Wright When the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989, Germany was reunified. A Great Escape tells the story of Peter, a young boy living in East Germany (1961) at the time of partition. When the border between
Julia and the Shark
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave Illustrated by Tom de Freston Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kiran's books include The Girl of Ink & Stars, which was the winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017; The Island at the End of Everything, which was shortlisted for
Egg Marks the Spot: Skunk and Badger #2
By Amy Timberlake Illustrated by Jon Klassen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the follow up to Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake and also illustrated by Jon Klassens. That is a hilarious story about how two unlikely creatures become friends. Now there
Haywire
By Claire Saxby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Saxby is an Australian author of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children, including the splendid Nature Storybooks series, The Anzac Billy and recently, the picture book Iceberg. Haywire is the story of two boys on
Catch A Falling Star
By Meg McKinlay Reviewed by Margaret McKay Lowndes Meg McKinlay is the author of a range of books for children, including picture and chapter books, young adult novels and poetry for adults. ‘Catch a Falling Star’ was shortlisted for the CBCA Book
The School between Winter and Fairyland
By Heather Fawcett Reviewed by Barbara Braxton "Twelve-year-old Autumn is a beastkeeper at Inglenook School for Magicians, which she secretly dreams of attending as a student. Instead, she must care for Inglenook's menagerie of dangerous creatures so the king's future monster hunters
The Wolf’s Howl: A Maven & Reeve Mystery Book 2
By A. L. Tait Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The Wolf’s Howl is, what the Glawn Castle locals call, the biting, freezing gale that rages around the mountains, in the valleys and perhaps, metaphorically, inside the castle itself. This second Maven and Reeve Mystery,
A Glasshouse of Stars
By Shirley Marr Reviewed by Zewlan Moor A Glasshouse of Stars was picked up off the slush-pile by Jessica Townsend, the internationally best-selling author of the Nevermoor series. She passed it to her agent, Gemma Cooper, and a publishing deal ensued. This
The Magnificent Hercules Quick
By Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ursula is now the author of over 60 books for children and young adults, and her work is published all over the world. She has won many awards and is the current
