Amal Unbound
by Aisha Saeed reviewed by Lucy McGinley This moving story centres on a brave young Indian girl who dreams of becoming a teacher. One day her bravery brings her to the attention of the corrupt local landlord. In the simple act of
Lenny’s Book of Everything
by Karen Foxlee reviewed by Mia Macrossan Karen Foxlee says that story writing is about creating a world, breathing characters to life and enticing readers on a journey’. In LENNY’S BOOK OF EVERYTHING, her new book for younger readers she has succeeded
Impostors
by Scott Westerfeld reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Set in a post- apocalyptic world full of advanced military technology, power struggles, dictatorships, and the ever-present threat of treachery, this novel is the first book in a new, four- part series which presents us
Zenobia
written by Morten Dűrr illustrated by Lars Horneman reviewed by Mia Macrossan This stunning graphic novel is remarkable for its cinematic treatment of a sensitive topic. It tells the story of a refugee through minimal text and many wordless images, conveying a wealth of
At The End of Holyrood Lane
By Dimity Powell Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Maria Parenti-Baldey At The End of Holyrood Lane is more than a picture book about a young girl being frightened of storms. It’s a book about the frightening stormy reality of domestic violence. The inside
The Mulberry Tree
by Allison Rushby reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton This fantastic middle grade novel will appeal to many 8 - 12 year old readers. A mulberry tree haunts a tiny English village in Cambridgeshire where locals believe the tree has stolen two eleven- year -old
The Pyramid Puzzle Starring Olive Black
by Alex Miles illustrated by Maude Guesne reviewed by Tyrion Perkins When I first picked up this book with its yellow picture of camels, pyramids and, girl in Cleopatra style costume, I thought it was going to be a mystery set in ancient
Beware the Deep Dark Forest
by Sue Whiting illustrated by Annie White reviewed by Peter Taylor The warmth of Annie White’s delicious artwork and the unusual hand-drawn font used on the cover of Beware the Deep Dark Forrest instantly persuade us to explore the treescape within. Progressing through
Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords #2 Amelia Fang series
Written and illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Meet Amelia Fang, a sparky little vampire in a dark and gloomy world … or is it? With a spider, webs and a smiling Amelia Fang in scratchy black cartoons , the
Mr Pegg’s Post
Written and illustrated by Elena Topouzoglou Reviewed by Luise Manning Anna is an only child who lives with her parents in a lighthouse on a tiny island off the Mediterranean coast. Whilst living in a lighthouse might sound exciting, it wasn’t. Anna
Amelia Westlake
written by Erin Gough reviewed by Tyrion Perkins One of the best books I’ve read this year. I jumped at the chance to review Erin Gough’s second novel after enjoying The Flywheel. In that, the character spent most of her time working in
Brindabella
Written by Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Brindabella is a gentle story about friendship, death, loneliness and the harsh realities of the bush. It is thematically reminiscent of Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, also from Allen
Animal Rights Reading List
Animal rights is a perennial topic studied in schools throughout Australia. Teacher Librarian Dajo Finlayson has prepared a reading list of novels that will provide a sound basis for developing awareness of this always current always relevant subject. Now available
At the End of Holyrood Lane
Written by Dimity Powell Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This quietly powerful story is an extended metaphor about domestic violence in a child’s life. Flick’s life is calm, pleasant and full of play except when unpredictable storms occur which turn her
Funny Kid #3 Prank Wars
Written and illustrated by Matt Stanton Reviewed by Lyn Halliday Stanton’s third book in the Funny Kid series grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go, taking you on a hilarious journey inside 11-year-old Max Walburt’s head — who really
Fart Monster and Me #1 & #2
By Tim Miller and Matt Stanton Reviewed by Lyn Halliday Just when you thought there was no more room in the bookstores for another fart book…. There’s another fart book. Actually, a series of them. Duo Tim Miller and Matt Stanton have teamed
Lucia and Lawrence
written and illustrated by Joanna Francis Reviewed by Justine Lawson This is an accomplished debut picture book for Joanna Francis, an artist and art teacher who lives in New South Wales, Australia. Lucia and Lawrence are neighbours – a girl and a
Leave Taking
by Lorraine Marwood illustrated by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Danielle Freeland Lorraine Marwood has delivered something very special in this verse novel. When Toby’s parents decide to pack up and leave their family’s farm to start again after the death of their only daughter,
Fairytales for Feisty Girls
by Susannah McFarlane featuring artwork from four Australian illustrators: Beth Norling, Claire Robertson, Lucinda Gifford and Sher Rill Ng reviewed by Sue Wright The success of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Cavallari and Favilli triggered a welcome focus on stories which increase the visibility
I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree
A nature poem for every day of the year Poems selected by Fiona Waters Illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Every now and then a book comes along that takes your breath away because it is so gorgeous, that makes you thrill
Fairy Tales Retold Reading Lists – New!
Two new lists of recommended reading for young people have been added to the StoryLinks Resources page - Fairy Tales Retold: Selected titles for Older Readers - mainly suitable for readers in Years 10, 11 and 12 and Fairy Tales Retold for
The Silver Hand
Written by Terry Deary Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson It's 1918 and the Great War is finally coming to a close. This novel, told through the eyes of Aimee Fletcher, a young girl living in the village of Bray-on-Somme in northern France when the
Children of Blood and Bone
Written by Tomi Adeyemi Reviewed by Renee Hills This YA fantasy tells the story of Zelie’s quest to retrieve magic for her people and to rid them of the king’s ruthless and implacable dominion over the Maji or as they are contemptuously
The Pyramid Puzzle Starring Olive Black
Written by Alex Miles Illustrated by Maude Guesne Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins When I first picked up this book with its yellow picture of camels, pyramids and girl in Cleopatra style costume, I thought it was going to be a mystery set in ancient
Sonam and the Silence
Written by Eddie Ayres Illustrated by Ronak Taher Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Sonam and the Silence is not an easy or carefree children’s book. It has not come from a place of lightness, but it does bring with it an important message of
Lottie Perkins, Book 1 and Book 2
Written by Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Makoto Koji Reviewed by Danielle Freeland Katrina Nannestad has delivered a heartwarming series of first chapter books for beginner readers. An experienced author herself, Katrina has launched the series with two titles and a further two due
How Did I Get Here?
Written and illustrated by Philip Bunting Reviewed by Lucy McGinley If your child is asking big questions such as, ‘How did I get here?’ then Philip Bunting’s book of the same name, is what you need. This humorous picture book goes a
The Land of Neverendings
Written by Kate Saunders Kate Saunders is a full-time author and journalist in London who writes for children and adults. She won the Costa Children’s Book Award for Five Children on the Western Front. Reviewed by Renee Hills Imagination makes the world go
StoryLinks Interviews Cherri Ryan
by Mia Macrossan Cherri Ryan's first picture book Spirit was published recently. Magnificently illustrated by Christina Booth it is the story of a little girl who builds a sail boat and calls it Spirit. She takes it for a trial in
The Dream Bird
Written by Aleesah Darlison Illustrated by Emma Middleton Reviewed by Sandy Driessens George is a little boy who plays all day but at night, struggles to go to sleep. Though the other members of his family make helpful suggestions, it is Gran
