Meet the Author: Zanni L Arnot (aka Zanni Louise)
Alison McCaffrey talks to author Zanni L Arnot about her debut YA novel. Zanni is a multi-award-winning author, who has published more than 40 books for children over the past 10 years, spanning the gamut of ages from picture books for
A New World Rises: Tales of a LEGO® Future
By Cristy Burne, Jackson Harvey, & Alex Towler Reviewed by Mia Macrossan THE YEAR IS 2130 Humanity’s reign has ended but the world is slowly recovering and showing signs of new life – one brick at a time. LEGO minifigures have risen from the
Dear Broccoli
By Jo Dabrowski & Cate James Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jo Dabrowski started in advertising but quickly realised she preferred writing books, particularly ones where she can see a tiny bit of herself in one of the characters. Her titles include The
A Guide to Falling Off the Map
By Zanni L Arnot Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Vinnie has life after high school all mapped out, while her best friend Roo is just trying to get through another day working his secret job. But when all sides of her map seem
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Longlist
The eight talented authors, and their outstanding novels, selected in the Longlist for the 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Category are: Moonboy by Anna Ciddor (Allen & Unwin) On Gallant Wings by Helen Edwards (Riveted Press) The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal (HarperCollins Publishers) Our
The Only Branch on the Family Tree
By Sherryl Clark Guest Review by Kirsten Ealand I love verse novels. There’s something so lovely about a slim book with lots of white space – so approachable and undaunting - yet with all the emotional punch, lyrical language and not-following-the-rules playful
Laughter is the Best Ending
By Maryam Master Illustrated by Astred Hicks Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Maryam Master is a screenwriter, playwright and author whose first two novels, Exit Through the Gift Shop and No Words were winners or shortlisted for numerous awards. Her latest, Laughter is the
Animals on Country
By Victor Steffensen & Sandra Steffensen Reviewed by Barbara Braxton 'For thousands of years, Aboriginal people looked after the land to keep it healthy, so there was plenty of food for the animals to eat. But today, the animals are wondering what has
Wish in a Tree
By Lynda Mullaly Hunt & Nancy Carpenter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In 2015 Lynda wrote Fish in a Tree, a middle grade novel about how even if you struggle in school, you can still be quite smart and that intelligence is measured
Song of a Thousand Seas
By Zana Frallon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Zana is the much awarded writer of picture books including The Gargoyle and The Curiosities and books for older readers such The Lost Soul Atlas and The Way of Dog, both reviewed in StoryLinks. She says the idea for this book came
When We Were Monsters
Written by Jennifer Niven Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The day before we kill Meredith Graffam is calm and blue opens Jennifer Niven’s latest YA thriller. Eight of the brightest, most visionary senior students, from the prestigious Brighton and Hove Academy are selected to
Trapped! The Entombed Miner of Bonnie Vale
By Julia Lawrinson Reviewed by Helen Gearing Lawrinson is a prolific and well respected children’s author, publishing 17 books since winning the 2001 Western Australian Premier’s Award for her debut young adult novel Obsession. Her latest work, Trapped, is a gripping middle
How Big is the Sky?
By Kimberley Brown Reviewed by Margarite Igras Kimberly Brown has used her skills as an illustrator to craft her first picture book about the various instruments we use to measure the world around us. It is a fascinating yet complex introduction to
Lucky’s star : the story of a meteorite
By Mark Greenwood Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan It's 1969 in the sleepy country town of Murchison when, while Lucky is milking the cows, a meteorite hurls across the sky and lands, making houses shake, windows rattle and spooking the
Rakali of the Riverbank
By Stephanie Owen Reeder & Rachel Gregg Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stephanie Owen Reeder is the author of over 20 historical and environmental books for children, including Trouble in the Surf. She has won both the CBCA Book of the Year Award
Everglade 1: Rise of the Witch
By Kitty Black Illustrated by Rebecca Crane Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Australian author Kitty Black's debut middle grade novel. She is best known to date for her many picture books which include If I Were a Lion, Mr Bat Wants a
Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!
By Pamela Allen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Pamela Allen is in her 90th year and still creating marvellous picture books. Since her first publication in 1980, her picture books have enchanted generations of children around the world, and have garnered a glittering array
Alexander’s Outing
By Pamela Allen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Since her first publication in 1980, New Zealander Pamela Allen's picture books have enchanted generations of children around the world, and have garnered a glittering array of awards and commendations including six Children’s Book Council
The Bin Monster
By Annabelle Hale Reviewed by Margarite Igras Annabelle Hale has written and illustrated a fun picture book about a well-known Australian topic that we all have experienced. Those pesky birds that that raid our bins, spreading rubbish and food scraps everywhere. This
Meet the Author: Sandhya Parappukkaran
By Lauren Spender Sandhya is a children's author who believes owning one's cultural identity cultivates happy, holistic people. She lives in Brisbane and works as a library assistant in a public library. She says her experience there has given her great
The Last Egg
By Sophie Laguna & Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Last Egg, by Sophie Laguna and Jess Racklyeft, is a beautifully crafted picture book that explores themes of love, loyalty, and resilience. When Mother Bird and Father Bird discover a
The Mushroom in the Sky
Written by Jackie French Reviewed by Jenny Ruge The Mushroom in the Sky is the latest in a long line of exceptional and thought-provoking stories from multi-award winner Jackie French. It’s 1942 and sixteen-year-old orphan Harry Oswald, ‘Ossie’, plans to lie about his
The Silken Thread
Written and illustrated by Gabrielle Wang Reviewed by Jenny Ruge From the 2022-2023 Australian Children’s Laureate, Gabrielle Wang, comes another heartfelt tale of love and loss, friendship and family. The author of successful novels such as A Ghost in My Suitcase and
Filling in the Map: Exploring Inland Australia
By Carole Wilkinson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carole Wilkinson is a prolific author perhaps best known for her Dragonkeeper series but she has an impressive list of non-fiction titles to her name, many concerned with Australian history. Filling in the Map is
The Giant
By Sophie Masson & Lorena Carrington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Giant is a new release from Sophie Masson and Lorena Carrington, who previously collaborated on the exquisite Satin (2023). Both creators have a deep knowledge of fairy stories and folk
Finn and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by P.J. Reece with Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe The Pen is back! When Finn, a music loving, story writing 11-year-old orphan, discovers the pen he finds has strange magical powers, he can’t believe his luck. With the
Washpool
By Lisa Fuller Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Washpool is the second novel by Lisa Fuller, a Wulli Wulli woman and award-winning writer. Unlike the darker mysteries of her previous YA novel, Ghost Bird, Washpool is a surreal fantasy fit for any middle-grade
Our Infinite Fates
By Laura Steven Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey In an unnamed land, Our Infinite Fates begins centuries ago and introduces a young bride and groom as their wedding is brought to a dramatic and violent end. Jumping between times and tales, Evelyn and Arden
Meet the Author: Ashleigh Barton
Ashleigh Barton is a prolific Australian writer for children, whose infectious enthusiasm for reading and creative expression makes her a hit with adults and children alike at schools and festivals. She enjoys inspiring young audiences to value books and to
The Susurrus
By Genevieve Young Evans & Cate James Reviewed by Margarite Igras Genevieve Young-Evans has written a playful story with a strange title that is sure to attract the interest of the younger four- to six-year-old reader. What is this strange thing called
