What makes a Reviewer? Alison McCaffrey talks books and reviews
By Mia Macrossan I have been writing for many, many years. Recently I returned to my longtime passion, finding my voice and comfort zone among the words of Young Adult stories, and I am constantly learning and evolving. What are writers
Movie Magic at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop (The Wildest Dreams Bookshop, Book 3)
By Gracie Page Harper Fire Books 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor It is summer after final exams, and Mia is excited about starting a film course in the autumn. In the meantime, filming of the bestselling romance book, Ocean Deep, is about to
Darkest Night, Brightest Star
By Barry Jonsberg A & U Children 2025 Teaching resources Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Morgan Pickford doesn’t fit in with the other kids at school. But he doesn’t really fit in at home, either, where the only people in his life are his dad
One Knight Stand: Lady’s Knight 2 & Interview with Amie Kaufman
By Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner A & U Children 2026 Reviewed by Lucille Rose One Knight Stand is the only dragon-fighting, sword-wielding, knight in shining armour series you will ever need. Set in a medieval fantasy kingdom, fierce noblewoman Isobelle and recently
Make Me a Monster
By Kalynn Bayron Bloomsbury YA 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Meka spends her life surrounded by death. Literally. Her parents run a funeral home out of their house, and at seventeen, Meka has just been certified as New York State’s youngest mortician’s assistant.
We Saw What You Started
By Carla Salmon Pan Australia 2025 Teaching notes Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey There are similarities between California and Queensland – beautiful beaches, incredible surf, year-round sunshine, and wildfires. Otto left his life in California behind, moving to Red Sands with his mum, but both
Shapes of Love
By L V Peñalba Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Who says love needs to be two people, joined forever in emotional and physical intimacy? Who says love means romance and flowers and rings? Who says love needs to involve hugs and kisses
This is Where We Say Goodbye
By Howard McKenzie-Murray Fremantle Press 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Ditching her roommate to hang out in the laundromat (without any clothes to wash, mind you) isn’t how Maud had planned to spend her twenty-first birthday. But she finds herself searching for a
This Stays Between Us
By Margot McGovern Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey This Stays Between Us is a creepy horror throwback to the 90s and 00s era that does not disappoint. The second novel from multi-award winning South Australian author Margot McGovern, this book has been
Once Upon Tomorrow
By Karen Comer Lothian Children's Books 2026 Reviewed by Dimity Powell Verse novels possess a certain magic that levels up emotion and crystalises conception. Award-winning Aussie author, Karen Comer's Once Upon Tomorrow is just such a lyrical foray into the past, the questionable future and
Golden*
*A StoryLinks starred review indicating a book of exceptional literary merit. By Jade Timms Text Publishing 2025 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every now and then, I finish the last page of a book and I’m compelled to immediately start again. Golden was one of
Of Flame and Fury
By Mikayla Bridge Macmillan Australia 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Even in a world where humans move into the lands of powerful magical creatures, we will find a way to stamp out their presence for our own benefit. Of Flame and Fury is the
Wild Darling (The Darling Devils, Book 3)
By Alexandra Moody Electric Monkey 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey It feels like sports romances, especially ice hockey, are everywhere at the moment. The sub-genre is having quite a time in the spotlight, and Australian author Alexandra Moody has found a cozy spot
Tearing Myself Together
By Anna Whateley A & U Children 2026 Teaching resources Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey How do you tear yourself together? First, maybe, you need to allow yourself to be torn apart. Only then can you make sure it’s just the pieces that really fit
Day of Now
By Miranda Reason Bloomsbury 2026 Reviewed by Sue Wright There’s a long and vivid history of apocalyptic stories where gods, viruses, infections, invasions or conflicts wipe out civilisation as we know it. Stories range from ancient tales of floods to more modern era
Her Hidden Fire
By Cliodhna O’Sullivan Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey From the opening page, Her Hidden Fire draws you into the secrecy and clandestine nature of the world of Eadha (Eh-ya), a servant girl. Her best friend, Ionain (Yun-aw-in), is heir to the castle
Old Bertie
By Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn Fremantle Press 2026 Teaching Notes Reviewed by Sue Wright Old Bertie by debut authors Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn is ridiculous fun. An absurd tale with an absurd premise threaded together by dreadful puns and slapstick situations which I’m
Ruby’s Web
By Ellen van Neerven Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Ellen van Neerven is a writer of Mununjali and Dutch heritage living on Yagera and Turrbal land. They have had multiple collections of short stories and poetry published. This is their first novel for
Don’t Let Them Leave
By Mike Lucas Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Mike Lucas is a British-Australian author of picture books and young adult suspense. His latest young adult novel, Don’t Let Them Leave, starts with a compelling prologue in a mine shaft in North Cornwall, 1855. In
Forever & Ever
By Allanah Hunt Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Allanah Hunt is a Barkindji and Malyangapa woman and the first recipient of the inaugural Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship. The Brisbane-based writer also works as an editor, lecturer and researcher at the University of Queensland.
The Escape Game
By Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This book is unputdownable! From the very first page it features the entertaining, high energy voice of clever teens with interesting back stories and motivations, something I loved in Meyer’s Cinder, in the
Drawing Nudes While Making Oher Plans
By Zoe Gaetjens Review by Lucille Rose Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is an interesting, aptly named book, though its title is only the beginning of the attention-grabbing aspects of this novel. It takes place largely, as its name suggests, in a
Hafsa’s Way
By Aisha Saeed Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Hafsa’s Way is the third of a loose trilogy of contemporary realist middle grade novels by Pakistani-American author, Aisha Saeed. The firs two, Amal Unbound and Omar Rising, have been exceptionally well-received, with multiple starred
In Ecstasy
By Kate McCaffrey Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Sophie and Mia have been best friends since they started kindergarten, but by the time they get to the party that kicks off the wild ride that is In Ecstasy, things have already been changing
My Wonderful Disgrace
By Angourie Rice and Kate Rice Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey The school ball is the ultimate dream for many high schoolers – fancy clothes, the date they’ve always dreamed of, feeling like it’s time to leap from school into adulthood. Amy has
Girls Who Play Dead
By Joelle Wellington Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Joelle Wellington is a New York-based author known for her YA thrillers. Her previous titles, Their Vicious Games and The Blonde Dies First, are mixtures of satirical horror and teen thriller. Wellington’s latest novel, Girls
Song Of the Saltings
By Rachel King Reviewed by Lucille Rose Song Of The Saltings is a grim, dark fantasy that follows the story of Lotta Salter, a daughter of the island of Brack, and Moss Smith, a hideling exile cast out from the village. The
Poster Boys
By Scott Woodard Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey It all starts when Nolan, one of prestigious Highview Grammar’s least popular year nine boys, smashes cool kid James’s nose on Winter Sports Day. James’s high-ranking political father has taught him how to get what
A Flash in the Dust
By Meg Caddy Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey A Flash in the Dust is the fourth YA novel for Western Australian author Meg Caddy. With a handful of short- and longlistings for their first three novels, Weir, Devil’s Ballast, and Slipping the Noose,
Good Young Men
By Gary Lonesborough Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Kallum lost his scholarship to a fancy school and is sent home confused about footy and how he feels about boys. Jordy is parenting because his dad drinks too much and is dealing with a
