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
11 Ruby Road: 1900
By Charlotte Barkla Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray 11 Ruby Road, 1900, is the first in a new Brisbane-based historical fiction series for readers 7+. Technically beginning with a prologue in 1860, the stories will be set every 25 years, in and around
Shower Land 1: Break the Curse
By Nat Amoore. Illustrated by James Hart. Reviewed by Helen Gearing Since somersaulting onto the kidlit scene in 2019 with her award-winning middle-grade novel, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, Nat Amoore has become one of Australia’s most beloved children’s authors. With her
Wongutha Tales
Bawoo & Badudu Stories By May O'Brian Reviewed by Mia Macrossan May O'Brian was one of Australia's first indigenous school teachers and served for many years as community leader and on many committees. She was also a gifted storyteller. This little paperback contains
Outlaw Girls
By Emily Gale & Nova Weetman Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Outlaw Girls is an action-packed middle grade timeslip novel from Emily Gale and Nova Weetman, the team behind CBCA Notable Elsewhere Girls. This is not a sequel, but the two books
Losing the Plot
By Annaleise Byrd Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane based debut author Annaleise Byrd has produced an action packed portal fantasy sure to appeal to middle grade readers who like their fairy tales funny, fast and full of surprises. Ever since young Lucy stepped
Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
By Derek Keilty Illustrated by Magda Brol Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Derek Keilty is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young
Becoming a published author: A guest post by Annaleise Byrd
Annaleise Byrd writes funny books for kids. Her debut middle grade novel, Losing the Plot – a humorous portal fantasy set in the world of Grimms’ original fairy tales – will be published by Walker Books Australia this March. Annaleise agreed
Leo and Ralph
By Peter Carnavas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Peter’s first book, Jessica’s Box, was released in 2008, while he was working as a primary school teacher. Many picture books followed, including Last Tree in the City, The Children Who Loved Books and Blue Whale Blues. After focusing on
The Grimmelings
By Rachael King Reviewed by Helen Gearing From the author of Red Rocks, winner of the Esther Glen Medal in 2013, The Grimmelings is a beautiful and eerie middle grade mystery which transports Gaelic folklore into the stunning New Zealand Aotearoa landscape. Thirteen-year-old
Crow Baby
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her many publications include Bush Birds, Owl and Star and Backyard Beasties, all reviewed in StoryLinks. Long long ago a
Secret Sparrow
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I have lost count of the number of books Jackie has written. She has been a constant source of inspiring and uplifting historical fiction my whole career and her interest and passion for history never
Andromache Between Worlds
By Gabriel Bergmoser Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I am a judge for the 2024 Aurealis Awards. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Aurealis Awards management team. Gabriel Bergmoser
Lani and the Universe
By Victoria Carless Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I am a judge for the 2024 Aurealis Awards. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Aurealis Awards management team. Brisbane based Victoria
Alex: Through My Eyes – Australian Disaster Zones
By Rosanne Hawke Reviewed by Helen Gearing The latest book in the Australian Disaster Zones series, Alex is a powerful story providing multi-layered insights into a farming community suffering from a crippling drought. In the text’s accompanying Teachers’ Notes, Rosanne Hawk (whose 2012
The Complete Cleo Stories
Cleo and the necklace; Cleo and the present; Cleo makes a friend; Cleo wants a pet By Libby Gleeson & Freya Blackwood. Reviewed by Helen Gearing The Complete Cleo Stories will be treasured by long-time Cleo fans and new readers alike in an
The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast: Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters 3
By Karen Foxlee, illustrated by Freda Chiu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I am a judge for the 2024 Aurealis Awards. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Aurealis
Christmas books
A selection of new and old favourites for everyone to enjoy and share at Christmas. Christmas Books
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas
Written by Matt Lucas Illustrated by Forrest Burdett Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Matt Lucas is a British actor and comedian best known for his work with David Walliams on the BBC comedy series Little Britain. He has previously published two picture books for
Skye Blackburn-Lang: Eating Bugs for the Planet
By Dianne Wolfer Reviewed by Sophia Evans Skye Blackburn-Lang: Eating Bugs for the Planet is part of the Aussie STEM Stars series that aims to provide inspiring stories of our world-leading scientists and inventors. The title is the reason I picked up
The Marvellers (The Conjureverse, #1)
By Dhonielle Clayton Reviewed by Bryani-Rose The novel, The Marvellers, written by Dhonielle Clayton is a captivating and magical tale that transports readers into a world of wonder. The story follows 11-year-old Ella, who is a young Conjurer and the first ever to attend
No Brainer: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (18)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Thomas In addition to having a permanent place on the New York Times bestseller list, I’m sure these books have helped many developing readers become permanent book lovers. The highlights of this series apart
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
A Kingdoms and Empires Book By Jaclyn Moriarty Illustrated by Kelly Canby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jaclyn Moriarty is the award winning author of novels for children, young adults and sometimes slightly older adults, including the Kingdoms and Empires series starting with The Extremely
The Lost Library
By Rebecca Stead & Wendy Mass Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca Stead has written the award winning When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy and The List of Things That Will Not Change and more. Wendy Mass has written more than thirty
Solomon Macaroni and the Vampire Vacation
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrations by Sarah Davis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is the second adventure of the well mannered vegetarian young vampire, Solomon Macaroni, the first in the series being Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe,also reviewed in StoryLinks. Solomon is still staying with
Fluff, Bullies Beware! (Fluff, #1)
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Matt Stanton is the bestselling author of the Funny Kid series along with dozens of others, ranging from picture books to middle-grade novels with graphic novels in between. Fluff, Bullies Beware! is the first in what will
Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief
By Dominique Valente Illustrated by Sarah Warburton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Willow Moss and the Magic Thief is the 4th and newest installment of these fun, magical, adventurous middle-grade books in the Starfell series, with the talented Sarah Warburton returning to add delightful
Copycat
By Kelli Anne Hawkins Reviewed by Sophia Evans Copycat is the third children’s book by Australian author Kelli Anne Hawkins. Her previous books include The School for Talking Pets (2021) and Birdbrain (2022). Copycat begins with Chapter One titled - THE END which
Silver Linings
By Katrina Nannestad Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, beloved best-selling author of twenty-three novels for children, brings early 1950s regional New South Wales (with its hopes for a brighter postwar future embodied in Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming coronation) to life in her
