Liar’s Beach
By Katie Cotugno Reviewed by Liane McDermott New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno, who is best known for her ‘complicated, feminist YA love stories’, shifts her talents to a YA murder mystery—Liar’s Beach. Promoted as a fresh take on Agatha Christie’s
The Spider and her Demons
By sydney khoo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan sydney khoo is a nonbinary and aromantic asexual writer, born to Malaysian Chinese parents. They are the recipient of Penguin Random House Australia's Write It fellowship which aspires to find, nurture and develop unpublished writers
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose: Enola Holmes 9
By Nancy Springer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nancy Springer is the author of the popular Enola Holmes novels as well as more than 50 other books for children and adults. Several of the Enola Holmes stories have been made into popular films
This Summers Secrets
This Summers Secrets Review by Junior Reviewer Lucille, Year 8 A London evacuee. A poor girl with crushed dreams. A scared teenager who can see auras. This Summer’s Secrets by Emily Barr follows a mystery through the eyes of four characters
We Didn’t Think It Through
Gary Lonesborough Reviewed by Helen Gearing Gary Lonesbourough (whose 2021 debut Young Adult novel The Boy from the Mish amassed four state literary award shortlistings as well as being shortlisted for the 2022 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers) has
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky
By Rebecca Lim Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca is the award winning author of Tiger Daughter ( CBCA 2022 Book of the Year, Older Readers winner) which is about Wen Zhou the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to
From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star (The Nico Di Angelo Adventures)
By Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro Reviewed by Helen Gearing With over 25 books comprising three main series and several spin-offs, The Sun and the Star is the latest standalone instalment in the Percy Jackson universe by collaborators Rick Riordan and Mark
Queensland Literary Awards 2023 Shortlist
Congratulations to all! Children’s Book Award 2023 shortlist The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon (University of Queensland Press) Judges' comments: A mistreated puppy’s attempt to reconnect with his ‘ManPup’ becomes an odyssey of tragedy, hope, and love. Told in visceral poetry and illustration,
The Night In Question
By Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Lucille R. Crowley, age 13 This addictive murder mystery follows Alice Ogilvie and Iris Adams as they unravel a dark web of lies that has entangled their town of Castle Cove. The
When Clouds Touch Us
By Thanhha Lai Review by Zewlan Moor Thanhhà Lai’s first novel, Inside Out and Back Again, won the National Book Award and a Newbery Honor. It was a verse novel that explored ten-year-old Hà’s move from Saigon to Alabama in the context
Scar Town
By Tristan Bancks Reviewed by Sophia Evans Tristan is the acclaimed author of Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs. His books for upper middle grade and young adults are fast-paced mystery thrillers with carefully considered serious
Sink or Swim: Wolf Girl 9
By Anh Do Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is undoubtedly one of Australia’s bestselling children’s authors, celebrated for his many series including WeirDo, Hotdog, Ninja Kid, E-Boy, and Sky Dragon. The Wolf Girl books are easily his most
Hamlet is Not OK
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Helen Gearing Signing up to review a new R.A. Spratt novel is slightly terrifying when you’re a long-term fan. Spratt’s previous best-selling series – Peski Kids, Nanny Piggins, and Friday Barnes – and her podcast, Bedtime
Fireflies in Flight The Towers #2
By Mette Jakobsen Reviewed by Helen Gearing The second instalment of the urban dystopian series ‘The Towers’, Fireflies in Flight is a YA adventure for readers aged fourteen years and older who are looking for a fast-paced, high-stakes story of teenagers resisting
Selfie
By Allayne L. Webster Reviewed by Liane McDermott Real and fake friendships alongside the pitfalls of social media are explored in this young adult novel by Allayne L. Webster. An internationally published Children’s and Young Adult author, Allayne Webster has published ten
We Could Be Something
By Will Kostakis Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray We Could Be Something is the latest release from acclaimed YA novelist Will Kostakis, who is openly leaning into autofiction with this intergenerational love story. The book’s title and cover design position it within the
The Isles of the Gods
By Amie Kaufman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amie is a New York Times bestselling writer adept at writing books that attract a loyal following. These include the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files which she co-authored with Jay Kristoff. She tends to
Lies We Sing to the Sea
By Sarah Underwood Reviewed by Jane Swinton Sarah Underwood has created an epic, complex story steeped in Greek Mythology. There is a content warning on the front-page alerting readers to violence, graphic injury, non-graphic sexual assault, death and suicide. In this story the
All Our Hidden Gifts
By Caroline O’Donoghue Reviewed by Liane McDermott All Our Hidden Gifts written by Irish-born author and journalist, Caroline O’Donoghue, is the first book in a supernatural teen drama trilogy. Having previously published two adult novels, All Our Hidden Gifts was Caroline O’Donoghue’s
Tulips For Breakfast
By Catherine Bauer Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Catherine Bauer is an Adelaide-based former journalist who works full time as a media adviser. Her previous titles include the picture books Dreaming Soldiers and Australia Remembers: Len Waters. Tulips for Breakfast is a gripping, impactful
This Savage Song: Monsters of Verity Book 1
By V. E. Schwab Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is the first instalment in the popular Monsters of Verity series, first published in 2016, now repackaged in a handsome hardback collector's edition. V.E Schwab wrote the award-winning Shades of Magic series, Vicious
The Screaming Staircase: Lockwood & Co Book One
By Jonathan Stroud Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jonathan is has written many original and engaging fantasies such as the The Bartimaeus Quartet for middle grade, Scarlett and Browne for older readers and the Lockwood & Co series for upper middle grade/ young
The Gilded Ones #2: The Merciless Ones
By Namina Forna Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock Namina Forma is a Sierra Leonean American and young adult author based in Los Angeles. Her debut novel The Gilded Ones was published in 2021. The Merciless Ones is the sequel to The Gilded Ones,
Kill Joy
By Holly Jackson Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is a great read for those that love a good who-done-it. It is a prequel novella to Holly Jackson’s award-winning A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Trilogy The writing is smooth and there are some
The Not So Chosen One
By Kate Emery Reviewed by Jane Swinton Kate Emery is a reporter at the West Australian and The Not So Chosen One is her debut novel. She writes with beautiful clarity. Her prose has a wonderful stillness and insight about life in
Seven Days
By Fleur Ferris Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Seven Days is Fleur Ferris’s second middle grade novel and an enjoyable thriller for the target age group. When Ben Parker, the only son of divorced parents, is forced to spend a week of his school
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
War Girls
By Tochi Onyebuchi Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock War Girls is the third book published by Tochi Onyebuchi. It is a futurist sci-fi set in Africa, largely Nigeria, in the 2100s. It creates a glimpse into a future world where climate change and
Killer Content
By Kiley Roache Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock Killer Content is the latest book by young adult fiction author Kiley Roach. It’s an engaging thriller and a quick fun read for a teenage and young adult audience. The story follows the lives of six
The Cult of Romance
By Sarah Ayoub Reviewed by Jane Swinton The highly acclaimed Sarah Ayoub shines a light on cultural disconnection in this tumultuous love story. The heroine, Natalie Saab is a smart, young, university student straddling the expectations of being Lebanese or being Australian
