The Button War
Written by Avi Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Button War by the American writer and Newbery medalist Avi is is a biting indictment of the damage suffered by civilians during wartime. The story is set in a remote Polish village during World
Off the Track
Written by Cristy Burne Illustrated by Amanda Burnett Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lownes Younger readers will find it difficult to contemplate a life without mobile devices, but this is exactly what is imposed on the young characters in this wholesome novel by science writer
The Valentines: Happy Girl Lucky
By Holly Smale Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Happy Girl Lucky, is the first in the new romantic-comedy series The Valentines by Holly Smale, author of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Geek Girl books. It is a book that is lots of bubbly
Unpacking Harper Holt
Written by Di Walker Reviewed by Margie McKay-Lowndes In this emotive coming of age story, set in a picturesque beach-side suburb of Melbourne, Di Walker’s debut novel presents a story of hope in the face of unimaginable grief and loss. The Holts - Mum,
The Dog Who Saved The World
written by Ross Welford reviewed by Mia Macrossan Best friends Georgie and Ramzy while at their local beach meet an interesting woman Dr Pretorius, who invites them up to her laboratory to trial her experimental virtual reality set up. Despite initial misgivings
Secrets of a Sun King
by Emma Carroll reviewed by Tyrion Perkins The cover immediately attracted me: children on camels in front of the Nile and desert, with a pharaoh on the back, set up the expectation of mystery, travel, and adventure. Secrets of a Sun King
Leaving the Lyrebird Forest
written by Gary Crew illustrated by Julian Laffan reviewed by Yvonne Mes Pondering a future beyond the forest, Alice a young girl, befriends a lyrebird and the elderly widower nearby. Alice is an independent and confident girl, who we follow from the age
WINNER of the 2018 StoryLinks Short Story Competition
Tuck Shop Takeover by Combat Dad By Debbie Smith “The school is looking for tuck shop ladies, I mean helpers. Maybe you should sign up?” Mum tells Dad. “Shesh!” I blurt. Mum and Dad both turn to look at me. “What?” Mum shrugs her shoulders and
Sweet Adversity
by Sheryl Gwyther Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Sweet Adversity is a historical fiction novel for children aged 10+. It is refreshing to see a story set in Depression-era Australia that centres around a strong-willed protagonist reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables. Not
The Story of Eva Carmichael: The Wreck of the Loch Ard
by Gary Crew illustrated by Paul O'Sullivan reviewed by Lucy McGinley I was captivated by the tumultuous true story of Eva Carmichael, as retold by Gary Crew. This historical illustrated story is based on the experiences of the sole female survivor of the
Amal Unbound
by Aisha Saeed reviewed by Lucy McGinley This moving story centres on a brave young Indian girl who dreams of becoming a teacher. One day her bravery brings her to the attention of the corrupt local landlord. In the simple act of
The Mulberry Tree
by Allison Rushby reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton This fantastic middle grade novel will appeal to many 8 - 12 year old readers. A mulberry tree haunts a tiny English village in Cambridgeshire where locals believe the tree has stolen two eleven- year -old
Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords #2 Amelia Fang series
Written and illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Meet Amelia Fang, a sparky little vampire in a dark and gloomy world … or is it? With a spider, webs and a smiling Amelia Fang in scratchy black cartoons , the
Brindabella
Written by Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Brindabella is a gentle story about friendship, death, loneliness and the harsh realities of the bush. It is thematically reminiscent of Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, also from Allen
Funny Kid #3 Prank Wars
Written and illustrated by Matt Stanton Reviewed by Lyn Halliday Stanton’s third book in the Funny Kid series grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go, taking you on a hilarious journey inside 11-year-old Max Walburt’s head — who really
Leave Taking
by Lorraine Marwood illustrated by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Danielle Freeland Lorraine Marwood has delivered something very special in this verse novel. When Toby’s parents decide to pack up and leave their family’s farm to start again after the death of their only daughter,
The Silver Hand
Written by Terry Deary Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson It's 1918 and the Great War is finally coming to a close. This novel, told through the eyes of Aimee Fletcher, a young girl living in the village of Bray-on-Somme in northern France when the
The Pyramid Puzzle Starring Olive Black
Written by Alex Miles Illustrated by Maude Guesne Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins When I first picked up this book with its yellow picture of camels, pyramids and girl in Cleopatra style costume, I thought it was going to be a mystery set in ancient
Lottie Perkins, Book 1 and Book 2
Written by Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Makoto Koji Reviewed by Danielle Freeland Katrina Nannestad has delivered a heartwarming series of first chapter books for beginner readers. An experienced author herself, Katrina has launched the series with two titles and a further two due
The Land of Neverendings
Written by Kate Saunders Kate Saunders is a full-time author and journalist in London who writes for children and adults. She won the Costa Children’s Book Award for Five Children on the Western Front. Reviewed by Renee Hills Imagination makes the world go
The Best Medicine
Written by Christine Hamill Reviewed by Lyn Halliday In her first book for children, Christine Hamill demonstrates her exceptional skill at handling delicate subject matter in the most hilarious way — one that will appeal to any middle-grade audience. The Best Medicine won
The Vampire Knife #1 The Witching Hours
Written by Jack Henseleit Illustrated by Ryan Andrews Reviewed by Sandy Driessens WARNING: DO NOT look for fairies. You will not find them. And if you do. YOU WILL REGRET IT. With a warning like this on the cover, this thrilling novel has
The Extremely Weird Thing That Happened in Huggabie Falls
by Adam Cece illustrated by Andrew Weldon reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Adam Cece, winner of the Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, has written a humorous and wacky junior fiction book. The Extremely Weird Thing That Happened in Huggabie Falls follows the trio
Stephanie Chiocci and the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Chase
written by Matt Porter reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton This is the first book in the Footy Stars series and features AFLW Stephanie Chiocci, who captains and plays for the Collingwood women’s team. It is great to see a female sporting hero children
Bravelands#1 Broken Pride
written by Erin Hunter reviewed by Lucy McGinley Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster as you are immersed into the world of wild animals. Bravelands: Broken Pride, will have you crouching in the savannah grasses like a lion cub, pounding your
The Legends series
by Michael Panckridge reviewed by Lucy McGinley You can tell Michael Panckridge, the author of The Legend Series, enjoys sport. He has packed these books with action, sporting challenges and quizzes galore. Right from the start, when you flick past the updated
Brotherband #7 The Caldera
by John Flanagan reviewed by Maria Parenti-Baldey Brotherband, The Caldera, 7, starts with the annual Maktig contest. Stig’s father, Olaf, arrives to ask Hal and his Heron brotherband fighters to save a 14-year-old emperor kidnapped by the pirate Myrgos. The action, tension
Sage Cookson’s Literary Launch
by Sally Murphy illustrated by Celeste Hulme reviewed by Danielle Freeland Literary Launch is the fifth book in the Sage Cookson series by Sally Murphy. The daughter of television chefs, ten-year-old, Sage, shares her parents’ passion for travel and love of food. When
Looking Up
By Sally Murphy Illustrated by Aśka Superska Reviewed by Lyn Halliday As an author of over 40 children’s books, Sally Murphy demonstrates just why she is so successful in this heart-warming story about a boy’s quest to understand and heal a broken relationship. At
Dungzilla
by James Foley reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Two scientist/engineering girls accidentally resize a dung beetle so their whole town is threatened by a massive dung ball – who wouldn’t want to read it? Especially told comic book style through the attractive illustrations
