Pepper Masalah and the Flying Carpet
By Rosanne Hawke Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rosanne Hawke is a prolific author of children's books, many of which explore cultural and social issues. Notable titles include Shahana: Through My Eyes and Taj and the Great Camel Trek. Here we
Riz Chester: The Counterfeit Bust
By R A Stephens Illustrated by Em Hammond Reviewed by Mia Macrossan R A Stephens runs publishing houses Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, and also writes and edits individually both for their own company and for other publishers. They are primarily interested in
The One And Only Ruby
By Katherine Applegate Reviewed by Sophia Evans The One And Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate is a heart-warming follow up to her Newbery Medal – winning The One And Only Ivan, about a gorilla kept in a cage in a mall for
Speech Pathology Awards 2023 Shortlist announced
Book of the Year Awards Each year Speech Pathology Australia conducts its Book of the Year Awards to recognise and celebrate Australia's best books for children's language and literacy development and to promote the crucial role speech pathologists play in supporting
Evie and Rhino
By Neridah McMullin Illustrated by Astred Hicks Reviewed by Helen Gearing Evie and Rhino is historical fiction at its finest – immersive in its worldbuilding without ever neglecting plot and character – and is perfect for readers aged nine years and older
A Giant’s Trek
By Nick Stella Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut novel by Nick Stella, which he says, began as a bedtime story for his children is a fantasy adventure, about a village of giants, a rite of passage journey, and for the main
Against All Odds: Young Reader’s Edition
By Craig Challen and Richard Harris, with Ellis Henican Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Craig Challen and Richard Harris are the Australian cave divers who helped rescue the 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach, from a cave system
Sunshine on Vinegar Street
By Karen Comer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Karen Comer is a Melbourne author who runs writing workshops for both children and adults. Both her debut YA novel Grace Notes and her latest middle-grade novel Sunshine on Vinegar Street are written as verse
Ratbags 1: Naughty for Good
By Tim Harris and Shiloh Gordan Puffin 2023 Let's face it -- rats are mischief. Rats are rule-breakers. Rats are ratbags. They're all the same. All, that is, except one
VEENA SAHAJWALLA: ‘Green’ engineer and recycling champion
Written by Julianne Negri Illustrated by Mirjana Segan Reviewed by Zewlan Moor The Aussie STEM Stars series is a series of highly readable biographies suitable for ages 9-13. They focus on the childhoods and careers of Australians working in the sciences, technology and
Leeva at Last
Written by Sara Pennypacker Illustrated by Matthew Cordell Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Delightful, but not entirely fresh, Sara Pennypacker’s latest book is a departure from the previous Pax and Clementine series she is best known for. Leeva Spayce Thornblossom is eight or nine. No
Monster Island
By George Ivanoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance George Ivanoff is the author of over 100 books, both fact and fiction. Monster Island is Ivanoff’s latest fiction novel about a young boy who ends up on an island filled with dinosaurs. When his mum
A Message Through Time
Written by Anna Ciddor Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Anna Ciddor has written around sixty non-fiction and middle grade titles, including 52 Mondays and The Family With Two Front Doors. A Message Through Time is a standalone companion to her previous release, The
Tumble Glass
By Kate Constable Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Constable has written almost a dozen books for middle-grade and YA audiences, including the CBCA award-winning book Crow Country. Tumble Glass is her newest novel about a girl who can slip through time. Thirteen-year-old Rowan
The Wearing of the Green
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. The Wearing of the Green is her second middle grade
The Hats of Marvello
By Amanda Graham Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Hats of Marvello is Australian author Amanda Graham’s latest middle-grade novel about magic, the environment, friendships, secrets, and lots and lots of rabbits! Olivia loves her life on her family’s farm in
The Great Gallipoli Escape
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nipper lies about his age to join the army and do his bit for King and Country. He and his mates are in Gallipoli having a cricket match with the Turks during a brief ceasefire
The Glow
By Sofie Laguna Illustrated by Marc McBride Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Megan and Li live in a small coastal town and share a passion for creating stories. Megan draws fantasy monsters and Li brings them to life with her amazing tales. School holidays
The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan
By Felice Arena Reviewed by Sarah Custance Felice Arena is the Australian award-winning author of books such as The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, and A Great Escape, along with the Specky Magee series. An avid football fan and a keen
Ming and Marie: Spy for Freedom
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Former Australian Children’s Laureate, Jackie French is a fundamental figure when it comes to children’s literature within Australia. Whether she is writing her Diary of a Wombat picture books or critically acclaimed middle-grade novels, there
Augustin and the Hot Air Balloon
By David Metzenthen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Metzenthen has written over thirty books for children and young people and has won many honours, including the 2010 winner CBCA Book of the Year Jarvis 2010, 2003 winner Victorian Premier's Literary Awards prize for
Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow Book 1
By Lian Tanner Illustrated by Sally Soweol Han Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lian is a prolific writer of outstanding children’s fantasy. Her books are enjoyable on many levels as she puts her always varied cast of characters in interesting conflicts, has a sense
Queenie in Seven Moves
By Zanni Louise Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Zanni Louise’s first middle grade novel is a rewarding and heart-warming story inspired by her own family’s experience of temporary homelessness during COVID. When twelve-year-old guitar-playing Queenie, and her mother Clare, are evicted from their home,
Bored: Evie Dreams Big
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Matt Stanton has written and co-authored over 35 books for children, including the very popular Funny Kid series and the graphic novel series The Odds. Evie Dreams Big is the 3rd instalment in Stanton’s middle-grade
Interned
By Pamela Rushby Reviewed by Sarah Custance Pamela Rushby is a well-known in Australian children’s literature with over 200 books to her name. Her latest middle-grade novel Interned tells the stories of two young girls with very different backgrounds and how they
Mim and the Disastrous Dog Show (The Travelling Bookshop, #4)
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katrina Nannestad is a multi-award winning Australian author with over 20 books to her name. Mim and the Disastrous Dog Show is the 4th instalment of The Travelling Bookshop series. 10-year-old Mim loves
The Colourful World of Poppy Starr Olsen
By Poppy Starr Olsen and Jess Black Illustrations by Poppy Starr Olsen Reviewed by Sarah Custance Poppy Starr Olsen is an Australian Olympic skateboarding champion. She was under 14s world champion and the first Australian woman to compete at the Summer X Games.
Aurealis Awards Children’s Fiction 2023 shortlist
The annual Aurealis Awards were established in 1995 by Chimaera Publications, the publishers of Aurealis magazine, to recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror writers. The Aurealis Awards are intended to complement the Annual Australian National Science Fiction Convention’s Ditmar Awards and the Australian
The Hotel Witch
By Jessica Miller Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jessica Miller is the Australian born, and UK based, author of the award winning books Elizabeth and Zenobia and The Republic of Birds. The Hotel Witch is her third middle-grade novel. 11-year-old Sibyl is an avid
Rock Star Detectives: Murder at the Movies
By Adam Hills Illustrated by Luna Valentine Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian born comedian Adam Hills is best known as the host of the comedy show The Last Leg, Murder at the Movies is his second book for children and the second
