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
Prometheus High: The Books of the Dead
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Books of the Dead is the second novel in the Prometheus High series by Melbourne based author Stuart Wilson, with How to Build a Monster as the first book. After being rescued from the Unbound
The Book of Wondrous Possibilities
By Deborah Abela Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla You know when you pick up a Deborah Abela novel, you’re in safe hands. I had the pleasure of presenting alongside Deb at the Words on the Waves Festival earlier in 2022. She’s a masterful storyteller,
Digging Up Dad And Other Hopeful (And Funny) Stories
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Over 30 years ago, Morris Gleitzman was so overtaken by an idea for a story that he says came from nowhere that by the time the afternoon was up he had the outline completed and
All Four Quarters of the Moon
By Shirley Marr Reviewed by Sarah Custance Shirley Marr is a Chinese-Australian author currently living in WA, she writes for both YA and middle-grade fiction. Her book A Glasshouse of Stars was the 2022 CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Book of
Bored: Frog’s Mystery Twin
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Matt Stanton is the bestselling author behind the comedic Funny Kid series and The Odds graphic novels. Frog’s Mystery Twin is the second book in Stanton’s newest series Bored, with the first being Milo Finds
Birdbrain
By Kelli Anne Hawkins Reviewed by Sarah Custance Birdbrain is the second middle-grade novel by Australian author Kelli Anne Hawkins, who’s first book was The School for Talking Pets. 11-year-old Hadley Boggs lives a simple but happy life with her father and Mr
Friends Fur-ever: Smarty Pup 1
By Anh Do Illustrated by Anton Emdin Reviewed by Eva B, aged 8 One of the best books I have ever read! Lily's new pup JJ is kind of clumsy, but something about his smiley face makes her really happy inside. So you
Answers in the Pages
By David Levithan Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Levithan is an award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of young adult books, including 19 Love Songs, Every Day, Boy Meets Boy, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green). David Levithan is a serious
The Vexatious Haunting of Lily Griffin
By Paula Hayes Reviewed by Sarah Custance Paula Hayes is an Australian writer of magical realism for middle-grade audiences. Her first book Lily in the Mirror was a Notable book for the 2017 CBCA awards. The Vexatious Haunting of Lily Griffin is
Dead Good Detectives
By Jenny McLachlan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jenny McLachlan is a UK author of over 12 books for children and young adults. Her most well-known series is The Land of Roar trilogy packed with dragons and epic adventures. Dead Good Detectives is
Runt
By Craig Silvey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, Western Australia. His award winning and best selling titles include Jasper Jones and Honeybee, both aimed at an older audience than readers of Runt. This is a
The School for Good and Evil (7) – The Rise of the School for Good and Evil
By Soman Chainani Reviewed by Jane Swinton This story is the prequel to the immensely popular School for Good and Evil series. This is the first title in the series that I have read. Not having read any previous titles doesn’t hinder
Honour Among Ghosts
By Sean Williams Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sean Williams has written over fifty novels including the CBCA Notable Her Perilous Mansions. Here he has created an intriguing fantasy mystery, characterised by the same quirky original magic of the world of Her Perilous Mansions.
Dirt By Sea
By Michael Wagner Illustrated by Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michael Wagner is a children's author, speaker and storyteller. He writes for early childhood and for older children and his recent books include Why I Love Footy also illustrated by Tom Jellett. Tom
A Little Spark
By Barry Jonsberg Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Most of Barry's novels are about complex family relationships negotiated by a teenage protagonist at the centre of the action. Here in his latest, A Bright Spark, he deals with the fallout from divorce. Cate is
The Wintrish Girl: Talismans of Fate #1
By Melanie La'Brooy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Melanie is a successful Australian writer of adult novels, this is her debut novel for children. A Wintrish Girl just snaps, crackles and pops with action, humour and invention. Set in the Empire of Arylia its
And Everything Will Be Glad To See You
Poems by women and girls Selected by Ella Risbridger Illustrated by Anna Shepeta Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ella is a food blogger as well as a writer of historical fiction (The Secret Detectives), and has produced various other anthologies. Anna is a remarkable artist known
How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five
By Carla Fitzgerald Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Carla Fitzgerald is a Sydney-based author who has previously published the picture book Keeping Up with the Dachshunds. How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five is her debut middle grade novel. The book opens
Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon
By Gabrielle Wang Reviewed by Sarah Custance Gabrielle Wang is an Australian author who has written over 20 books for middle-grade audiences. She is the current Australian Children’s Laureate (2022 – 2023) and Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
We Run Tomorrow
By Nat Amoore Illustrated by Mike Barry Reviewed by Sarah Custance Nat Amoore is the author of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, The Power of Positive Pranking, and The Right Way to Rock all based around different children in the fictional school of
