Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure
by Jeff Kinney, reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second title in a new series by Kinney, the author of the popular Diary of A Wimpy Kid series, the first being Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal.
Wolf Girl 3: The Secret Cave
by Anh Do illustrated by Lachlan Creagh reviewed by Sarah Custance If you have children or work with children in any way, then I have no doubt you now no longer think of Anh Do as a T.V. personality or comedian but rather
Elementals: Battle Born
by Amie Kaufman reviewed by Sarah Custance Amie Kaufman is the co-author of many well-known series such as ‘The Unearthed Duology’ and ‘The Starbound Trilogy’ both written with Meagan Spooner and the ‘Illuminae Files’ and ‘Aurora Cycle’ both written with Jay Kristoff.
Edie’s Experiments 2: How To Be the Best
by Charlotte Barkla illustrated by Sandy Flett reviewed by Barbara Braxton Edie has settled into her new school and is starting to make friends, despite her somewhat catastrophic early attempts (Edie's Experiments 1 How To Make Friends) to treat the process like a
The Fowl Twins
by Eoin Colfer reviewed by Sarah Custance Eoin Colfer is the brilliant Irish author responsible for the world famous ‘Artemis Fowl’ novels, with the first book now being released as a movie. This next book is the start of a new series
Eco Rangers: Wildfire Rescue
by Candice Lemon Scott illustrated by Aska reviewed by Yvonne Mes This story of two adventurous, independent and eco-aware children on a mission is the third book in the series featuring Ebony and Jay, friends and eco rangers. In Wildfire Rescue, Ebony and Jay
The Republic of Birds
by Jessica Miller reviewed by Sarah Custance Jessica Miller is the author of the award-winning debut novel ‘Elizabeth and Zenobia’. Miller is Australian born but currently living in Berlin where the rich folk tales seem to have taken a grasp on her
The Unadoptables
by Hana Tooke illustrated by Ayesha L Rubio reviewed by Mia Macrossan This runaway adventure story touches the heart while stretching the imagination in many extraordinary ways. Five babies are left at the Little Tulip Orphanage in Amsterdam in 1880, one in a
The Power of Positive Pranking
by Nat Amoore reviewed by Sarah Custance Here is an incredibly funny, thought provoking, heart-tugging book that makes you feel anyone and everyone can make a difference. Nat Amoore is the author of ‘Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire’ and though ‘The Power of
The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle
by Brenda Gurr reviewed by Sarah Custance Brenda Gurr is an Australian writer who has worked on several educational resources and picture books. ‘The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle’ appears to be her first early reader chapter book and
The Theory of Hummingbirds
by Michelle Kadarusman reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michelle Kadarusman is an Australian teen and middle-grade fiction writer. She grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and has also lived many years in Indonesia and in Canada. The Theory of Hummingbirds is her first publication
As Fast As I Can
by Penny Tangey reviewed by Mia Macrossan Penny Tangey is a successful author with three well regarded novels to her credit: Two for older readers - Loving Richard Feynman , Clara in Washington and, for middle grade readers. - Stay Well Soon. As
Not My Fault
by Cath Howe reviewed by Sarah Custance Cath Howe is a London based teacher and writer. Her first novel ‘Ella on the Outside’ was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘Not My Fault’ is Howe’s second novel, it is a standalone book about
NEW! Australian Animals Reading Lists
We have prepared two Reading Lists for use by teachers and parents. Australian Animal Books for Younger Readers features popular classics and many popular titles, written by awarded Australian children's writers, all about iconic Australian animals with a recommended reading
Deeplight
by Frances Hardinge reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, an epic poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, brings home the excitement, wonder and poetry of the sea. Voyages to far flung places have inspired dramatic and heroic tales. And
The Lords of Melody
by Phillip Gwynne reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne has written many books in different genres that have achieved much critical acclaim such as his first novel ‘Deadly Unna?’, the picture book ‘Brothers from a Different Mother’, the junior fiction books ‘Jetty
The Austen Girls
by Lucy Worsley reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Jane Austen was and is, an enigma. Her first novels were written anonymously, published with the words ‘by a lady’ under the title. Given that many of her private letters were destroyed after her death,
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch
by Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance Nicki Greenberg is a double banger author who both writes and illustrates her novels. Her works include the graphic novel adaptions of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Hamlet’; the younger readers series ‘The Naughtiest Reindeer’, and
The Year the Maps Changed
by Danielle Binks reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel is set in Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula in 1999. It is an emotional drama that develops slowly gradually building up to an immersive picture of a family and community in conflict. Its
Young Engineers
by Andrew King illustrated by Benjamin Johnston reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew King, a Brisbane engineer, writer, and teacher is passionate about introducing young children to the boundless possibilities offered by the world of engineering. A couple of years ago he produced a series featuring
The Race for the Red Dragon: Children of the Dragon 2
by Rebecca Lim reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Race for the Red Dragon’ is the second novel in the ‘Children of the Dragon’ series by Rebecca Lim, the first being ‘The Relic of the Blue Dragon’. Rebecca Lim is the award-winning author
Agents of the Wild: Operation Honeyhunt
by Jennifer Bell illustrated by Alice Lickens reviewed by Barbara Braxton Daughter of world-famous botanists who were killed on a flower-collecting expedition in Australia, 8-year-old Agnes now lives with her uncle who doesn't understand her and certainly doesn't understand her need or demand
E-Boy #1 : Lightning Strike
by Anh Do illustrated by Chris Wahl reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is now a household name in children’s books. The master of engaging reluctant readers alongside the likes of David Walliams with their ridiculously silly and funny books that have young
Nevertell
by Katharine Orton This debut novel is an interesting and unusual combination of historical novel and fantasy for readers of 8 to 12. Nevertell is set in Siberia in a prison camp during Stalin’s rule of Russia. 12-year-old Lina knows no other
Kensy and Max 5: Freefall
by Jacqueline Harvey reviewed by Sarah Custance Jacqueline Harvey is a successful Australian children’s author best known for her ‘Alice-Miranda’ series (now at 18 books) and the ‘Clementine Rose’ series (now at 15 books). Kensy and Max is a relatively new series
Atticus Van Tasticus 2: The Map of Half Maps
by Andrew Daddo illustrated by Stephen Michael King reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Daddo is a versatile man with a career in TV shows, podcasts, and writing. His latest endeavor has been writing middle-grade fiction starting with ‘Atticus Van Tasticus’ and now here
New Reading List: Bushfires, Droughts & Floods
This has been a tough time for many people in Australia and children will be asking questions and looking for explanations. Here are some fiction titles that will help parents and teachers talk to children about what has happened. The list
Edie’s Experiments: How to Make Friends
by Charlotte Barkla reviewed by Sarah Custance Charlotte Barkla is the exact person you want to have written a book about a young girl having fun with science while getting into a bit of mischief and trouble. Having worked as both a civil
Orphans of the Tide
by Struan Murray reviewed by Sarah Custance Struan Murray is a Scottish author making a strong debut with his middle-grade novel Orphans of the Tide. The novel draws the reader in so quickly with a fast-paced plot, believable characters and a fantastical
The Dog Runner
by Bren MacDibble reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bren MacDibble burst onto the children's literary world with her award- winning How To Bee, a heartwarming dystopian novel set in a world where bees are extinct. The Dog Runner, an exciting fast -paced thriller,
