Soon
By Morris Gleitzman A BOOK HOOK from the Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network Soon is the fifth novel in what Morris Gleitzman calls a 'family' of novels set during and after the holocaust in Poland. In Soon, the central character. Felix. has survived
Pear of Hope
By Wenda Shurety Illustrated by Deb Hudson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Blue skies, butterflies, bees, birds and flowers create a lovely setting for a hopeful little girl. “At the bottom of the garden grew an old pear tree. A home of buzzing and
The Wolf’s Howl: A Maven & Reeve Mystery Book 2
By A. L. Tait Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The Wolf’s Howl is, what the Glawn Castle locals call, the biting, freezing gale that rages around the mountains, in the valleys and perhaps, metaphorically, inside the castle itself. This second Maven and Reeve Mystery,
A Glasshouse of Stars
By Shirley Marr Reviewed by Zewlan Moor A Glasshouse of Stars was picked up off the slush-pile by Jessica Townsend, the internationally best-selling author of the Nevermoor series. She passed it to her agent, Gemma Cooper, and a publishing deal ensued. This
2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize shortlist CYA category
The Shortlist for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize – Children and Young Adult (CYA) Category is: The Grandest Bookshop in the World, by Amelia Mellor (Affirm Press) We are Wolves, by Katrina Nannestad (HarperCollins Australia) The Mummy Smugglers of
Graphic Novels – New Reading Lists
New Graphic Novels There has been a great upsurge in the publication and popularity of graphic novels in the last decade. They have become main stream in that readers of all tastes and abilities read and enjoy them. They cover all the
Where’s My Dinosaur?
By Ashling Kwok Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ashling's previous books include Lola and Grandpa and The Battle while this is Jasmine's, debut picture book, although she has worked for years as an illustrator and graphic designer. This new title is
The Magnificent Hercules Quick
By Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ursula is now the author of over 60 books for children and young adults, and her work is published all over the world. She has won many awards and is the current
Stop the Dad Jokes
By Adrian Beck Illustrated by Simon Greiner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Adrian Beck is the author of several popular humourous stories for children including the Derek Dool, the Champion Charlies and the Alien Zoo series. Simon Greiner has illustrated a number of children's
My Dad Is A Bear
By Nicola Connelly Illustrated by Annie White Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This much loved title is now out as a sturdy board book with an attractive new cover showing Dad and baby in a big bear hug. In its paperback incarnation, first published
Fearless With Dad
By Cori Brooke Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This carefully observed picture book shows the many ways in which young boy and his Dad interact all day every day. Because Dad is always there, supporting and encouraging, the boy has
Always
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Once I escaped from an orphanage to find Mum and Dad. Then I had a plan for me and Zelda. After the Nazis took my parents I was scared. Soon I hoped the Nazis would be defeated and
The Bark Book
By Victoria Mackinlay Illustrated by Beth Harvey Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Dog bark. Tree bark. Let’s go see bark.” You can feel the joy and excitement when you first see this cover so … is it about Dog bark or Tree bark? When
To the Bridge: The Journey of Lennie and Ginger Mick
By Corinne Fenton Illustrated by Andrew McLean Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Corinne Fenton is an established picture book author with an affinity for animals and research, while Andrew McLean's lengthy illustration career includes many titles bestowed with CBCA accolades. Clearly, they are a
Super Sporty Girls
Reviewed by Margarite Igras Be Inspired and Celebrate Australia’s Amazing Sportswomen This picture book is a compilation of some of Australia’s successful sportswomen with the aim of introducing a range of sports to young girls who need some inspiration and information for
The Forest of Moon and Sword
By Amy Raphael Illustrated by August Ro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Amy Raphael is a freelance journalist and a non-fiction book writer and The Forest of Moon and Sword is her first children’s novel. Set in 1647 at the height of the British witch
The Vanishing at the Very Small Castle : The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries, #2
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jackie French is the award-winning Australian author of over 140 books. Her impact on children’s literature led her to become the 2014-2015 Australian Children’s Laureate as well as being awarded 2015 Senior Australian of the
Treasure in the Lake
By Jason Pamment Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jason Pamment is an Australian author/illustrator and Treasure in the Lake is his debut graphic novel. Iris and Sam have been friends their whole lives but over the last few years they have found themselves drifting
The Song of Lewis Carmichael
By Sofie Laguna Illustrated by Marc McBride Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sofie Laguna has won numerous awards for her children's fiction and the 2015 Miles Franklin award for her adult novel The Eye of the Sheep, about an autistic boy, so you can
Gold!
By Jackie Kerin Illustrated by Annie White Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book set in Victoria during the 1850’s gold rush, is based on a true story. The author, Jackie Kerin, captures our imagination with the personal story of four young men
Nowhere on Earth
Written and Illustrated by Nick Lake Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro Leonard is 13 years old, an aspiring writer and loves fantasy novels. Three hearts out of five - I enjoyed this book Who is your favourite character? Describe them and tell us
Gone
By Michael Grant Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Aaron Ding is 11 years old with a passion to write stories, and is always looking for ways to improve them! Go and read it!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ First published over a decade
Mim and the Baffling Bully : The Traveling Bookshop #1
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katrina Nannestad is the award-winning Australian author of over a dozen middle-grade novels including the much acclaimed The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome series as well as the CBCA
House of Hollow
By Krystal Sutherland Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes In House of Hollow, Krystal Sutherland has tapped into a rich store of fairy tales and folklore to mine the concept of the changeling, a tradition found in many nations from Ireland to Scandinavia to
Afghanistan Reading Resources
People have been writing fiction and non-fiction about the plight of children living in Afghanistan for many years. Here is a timely collection of reading resources that cover a multitude of subject - the subjugation of women and girls, the
Illuminae – Absolutely BRILLIANT! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (+♥)
By Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Aaron Ding is 11 years old with a passion to write stories, and is always looking for ways to improve them! What is your favourite character? (And why?) The Artificial Intelligence Defence
Devils in Danger
By Samantha Wheeler Reviewed by Sarah Custance Samantha Wheeler is the bestselling Australian author of Smooch & Rose, Spud & Charli, Everything I’ve Never Said, and her wildlife focused books Mister Cassowary, Wombat Warriors, and Turtle Trackers. Devils in Danger is her
Amira’s Suitcase
By Vikki Conley Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Sandy Driessens How endearing is the cover of this book? The luggage label, stains, stickers and earthy colours draw you to this little girl with the hopeful look on her face. “It was growing in
Great British Illustrators: their life and work in pictures
The Guardian newspaper does a wonderful series called Great Children's Illustrators. Here are some to enjoy: John Burningham over a long career has created much-loved characters such as the balalaika-playing mouse Trubloff and the mighty, bully-defying Avocado Baby Angela Barrett's striking and
The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name
By Sandhya Parappukkaran, Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something completely different. Debut author Sandhya Parappukkaran has written a charming and thought-provoking story about a boy who is struggling with his very long name. As you can see the
