Running with Ivan
By Suzanne Leal Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Suzanne Leal is the writer of The Teacher’s Secret, Border Street and The Deceptions, for which she has won multiple awards. Running with Ivan is Leal’s first novel for younger readers. Set in
The Lorikeet Tree
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Paul Jennings is a household name in the Australian children's book world. He has published numerous books, including Round the Twist which was made into a successful TV series. In 1995 he was made a
The Screaming Staircase: Lockwood & Co Book One
By Jonathan Stroud Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jonathan is has written many original and engaging fantasies such as the The Bartimaeus Quartet for middle grade, Scarlett and Browne for older readers and the Lockwood & Co series for upper middle grade/ young
Dusty in the Outwilds
By Rhiannon Williams Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Rhiannon Williams is the mind behind the award winning Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt Trilogy. Since the first book’s original publication in 2018, the trilogy has also been released in Dutch and
Spaceboy
By David Walliams and illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is the much acclaimed UK author of over 30 picture books and novels, including The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Fing, and The World’s Worst Children series.
Friday Barnes 11: Last Chance
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest instalment of the popular Friday Barnes series by R A Sprat who also wrote The Peski Kids, and The Adventures of Nanny Piggins. It's a while since I read a Friday
Always, Clementine
By Carlie Sorosiak Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carlie is the author of two novels for young adults, If Birds Fly Back and Wild Blue Wonder and two other middle grade novels My Life as a Cat and I, Cosmo. She is very much concerned
Mia: Through My Eyes – Australian Disaster Zones
By Dianne Wolfer Reviewed by Liane McDermott Mia is the third book in the Through My Eyes: Australian Disaster Zones series — a realistic historical fiction series recommended for children 11 to 14 years. Told through Mia’s eyes, the story gives insight
Dear Greta
By Yvette Poshoglian Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Yvette Poshoglian is the author of over forty books for children and young people, including the Ella and Olivia series. Born and raised in Sydney, Yvette taught secondary English in southwest Sydney and now manages
Astonishingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is a NSW-based author best known for the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched an extremely popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A.
Willa and Woof 3: Grandparents for Hire
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Liane McDermott Australia’s much loved and honoured children’s author, Jacqueline Harvey, of the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, and Kensy and Max series, produces another endearing junior fiction series—Willa and Woof. Mimi is Missing and Birthday Business are
Frankie Best Hates Quests
By Chris Smith and illustrated by Kenneth Anderson Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Chris Smith is best known for the Kid Normal series that he co-wrote with Greg James, the duo has also written The Great Dream Robbery. Frankie Best Hates
The Goodbye Year
By Emily Gale Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian writer Emily Gale is the author of the very well received books, The Other Side of Summer, We Are Out With Lanterns, the Eliza Bloom Diaries, Steal My Sunshine, and Girl, Aloud. She also
The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat
Written by Kate Temple Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Kate Temple has written more than twenty books with her writing partner Jol Temple, including the Bin Chicken picture books, Room on Our Rock and The Underdogs junior fiction series. The Business of Being
Whalesong
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Gordon is the Australian award-winning author of middle-grade novels, The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, and Aster’s Good Right Things, along with YA novel Girl Running, Boy Falling which were all either a Notable or
Best Books of 2022
At this time of year we ask our reviewers to select the best books they have read this year. Here is the result which should provide some wonderful holiday reading and maybe some ideas for seasonal gift giving. Just click
The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan
By Felice Arena Reviewed by Liane McDermott In 1942, in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, a girl lies in the dark and prays. She prays for her family. She prays for her friends. She prays for the war to be over. And she prays for
The Last Kids on Earth 8: The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress
Written by Max Brallier Illustrated by Douglas Holgate Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Finley, aged 9, who loves reading books! Jack Sullivan and his friends – Quint, Dirk and June – are on a quest to take down Thrull’s fortress and get information from
The Amazing Maurice
By Terry Pratchett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Terry Pratchett is the author of over 41 Discworld novels for adults and many stories for children including the five novels featuring the young witch Tiffany Aching - The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full
Waiting for the Storks
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a companion volume to the award winning We Are Wolves and Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief which are also set during World War II and present challenging events from that time
The Raven’s Song
By Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble Reviewed by Liane McDermott Two highly acclaimed and awarded writers, Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble, deliver an absorbing and thought-provoking novel encompassing elements of fantasy and science fiction. True to Bren MacDibble’s writing of climate change
The Offline Diaries
By Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene Reviewed by Sarah Custance Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene, the award-winning duo behind the critically acclaimed Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, are now back with The Offline Diaries: As Told by Ade and
The Great Fox Illusion
By Justyn Edwards Reviewed by Sarah Custance Justyn Edwards is an author from the UK, The Great Fox Illusion is his debut novel all about magic and the storytelling behind a successful trick. The Great Fox Illusion is the first book in
Cursed Tales: The Pharaoh of Asco Express
By Jake R. Wilson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Cursed Tales: The Pharaoh of Asco Express is UK archaeologist and author, Jake R. Wilson’s debut novel and the beginning of the Cursed Tales series. When 11-year-old Wesley steps foot into the odd Asco Express
The Trouble with the Two-Headed Hydra: Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters 2
By Karen Foxlee Illustrated by Freda Chiu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Karen Foxlee has written many award winning children's books including Dragon Skin, Lenny's Book of Everything, A Most Magical Girl and Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy. All are remarkable for their in
The Silver Sea
Written by Belinda Murrell Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Belinda Murrell is a prolific author of middle grade fantasy, time slip and adventure stories, including the Sun Sword Trilogy, Pippa's Island and Lulu Bell series. Murrell and her sister, Kate Forsyth, have also
Funny Kid Catastrophe (Funny Kid, #11)
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Catastrophe is the eleventh in a popular series that shows no signs of flagging. The Funny Kid is Max Walburt, self absorbed and somewhat selfish. He is thrilled that his mum is running for mayor
A Girl Called Corpse: An Elston-Fright Tale
By Reece Carter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I nearly didn’t read this because I got turned off by the title* – I wasn’t sure I wanted to read a book about a girl called Corpse but I’m so glad I did. This
What About Thao?
By Oliver Phommavanh Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury What About Thao? is another funny, sweet and touching story by comedian Oliver Phommavanh, whose previous books include Thai-riffic, Con-nerd and The Other Christy. When Thao (pronounced towel without the L) and his family move from Sydney to the
The Last Firefox
By Lee Newbery Illustrations by Laura Catalan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lee Newbery is a Welsh author, The Last Firefox is his debut novel that focuses on the importance of friendship, family, and what it truly means to be brave. 11-year-old Charlie lives in
