The Midnight Lie
by Marie Rutkoski reviewed by Mia Macrossan A midnight lie is one told for someone else's sake - a lie that sits between goodness and wrong, just as midnight is the moment between night and morning. This story, about forbidden love in a
The Human Body Survival Guide
by George Ivanoff reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is another volume in the Survival Guide series, the first being The Australia Survival Guide. The Human Body Survival Guide has 'all the facts and advice you need to survive living in your own
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure
by Jeff Kinney, reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second title in a new series by Kinney, the author of the popular Diary of A Wimpy Kid series, the first being Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal.
All The Science You Need To Know By Age 7
by Katie Daynes Illustrated by Stefano Tognetti reviewed by Barbara Braxton Little people always have lots of questions about the world around them - it's how they find out how it works. Often the answers to those questions lie in quite profound science
Wolf Girl 3: The Secret Cave
by Anh Do illustrated by Lachlan Creagh reviewed by Sarah Custance If you have children or work with children in any way, then I have no doubt you now no longer think of Anh Do as a T.V. personality or comedian but rather
Elementals: Battle Born
by Amie Kaufman reviewed by Sarah Custance Amie Kaufman is the co-author of many well-known series such as ‘The Unearthed Duology’ and ‘The Starbound Trilogy’ both written with Meagan Spooner and the ‘Illuminae Files’ and ‘Aurora Cycle’ both written with Jay Kristoff.
The Daddy Animal Book
Written and illustrated by Jennifer Cossins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the companion title to THE MUMMY ANIMAL BOOK from the author of the CBCA Notable THE BABY ANIMAL BOOK and the bestselling 101 COLLECTIVE NOUNS. It is the same size, same format but in
The Painted Ponies
by Alison Lester reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Alison Lester is always cause for celebration. The Painted Ponies doesn’t disappoint. It’s starts with Matilda who loves to stay at her Grandma Lucky’s house with the pony called Luna, the
STORYLINKS 2020 Short Story Competition for Young Writers
Children in Grades 4, 5 and 6 are invited to write a short story of between 1000 and 1500 words - on any subject. The winner will receive $100 and have their story published on the StoryLinks website. IMPORTANT DATES Entries due by
House of Dragons
by Jessica Cluess reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes The author's website describes her new book House of Dragons as “the intrigue of the Three Dark Crowns meets the cast of The Breakfast Club if they rode dragons into battle” and it is difficult
Edie’s Experiments 2: How To Be the Best
by Charlotte Barkla illustrated by Sandy Flett reviewed by Barbara Braxton Edie has settled into her new school and is starting to make friends, despite her somewhat catastrophic early attempts (Edie's Experiments 1 How To Make Friends) to treat the process like a
Harrow Lake
by Kat Ellis reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes This is the fourth YA novel for UK writer Kat Ellis, who professes to write“YA thrillers with a touch of the weird”. There is no doubt that Harrow Lake has a touch of the weird. With
Joey and Riley
by Mandy Foot reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Foot has been illustrating other people's stories for many years but this is one she has written and illustrated herself. It is about a working dog who is also a beloved companion. Pet seems
Matilda Children’s Literature Prize Shortlist announced
Three manuscripts shortlisted for Australia’s inaugural Matilda Children’s Literature Prize HarperCollins Children’s Books Australia is delighted to announce the shortlist for the inaugural Matilda Children’s Literature Prize. Launched to discover the country’s next great voice in children’s literature, The Matilda received nearly
The Sloth and the Dinglewot
by Nicole Prust illustrated by Amanda Enright reviewed by Barbara Braxton Down near the banks of the lazy lagoon, Where the trees slowly swayed in the light of the moon, A family of sloths slept soundly asleep As the birds of the sunrise started to
The Fowl Twins
by Eoin Colfer reviewed by Sarah Custance Eoin Colfer is the brilliant Irish author responsible for the world famous ‘Artemis Fowl’ novels, with the first book now being released as a movie. This next book is the start of a new series
Extraordinary!
by Penny Harrison illustrated by Katie Wilson reviewed by Sandy Driessens Of course, a cover with sparkly metallics sprinkled all over a creature-filled forest makes me immediately desire this book. Does the rest of the book live up to the cover? … well
Bear Was There
written and illustrated by Sally Anne Garland reviewed by Sandy Driessens A huge bear and a tiny mouse gazing at each other with kind, gentle eyes is a delightful image that would draw a child of any age to this lovely book
Pink
by Margaret Wild illustrated by Judith Rossell reviewed by Mia Macrossan Many children’s books are full of lessons that adults want to teach the young. This admirable resolve can, and often does, create very tedious, what I call, teachy preachy books. Here is
Eco Rangers: Wildfire Rescue
by Candice Lemon Scott illustrated by Aska reviewed by Yvonne Mes This story of two adventurous, independent and eco-aware children on a mission is the third book in the series featuring Ebony and Jay, friends and eco rangers. In Wildfire Rescue, Ebony and Jay
The Republic of Birds
by Jessica Miller reviewed by Sarah Custance Jessica Miller is the author of the award-winning debut novel ‘Elizabeth and Zenobia’. Miller is Australian born but currently living in Berlin where the rich folk tales seem to have taken a grasp on her
In My Dreams
by Stef Gemmill illustrated by Tanja Stephani reviewed by Sandy Driessens The colourful, fantastical cover for this book speaks of adventure … of dreams. “When the world is quiet and I’m alone, I like to dream.” This opening sentence, floating through the darkness of
The Unadoptables
by Hana Tooke illustrated by Ayesha L Rubio reviewed by Mia Macrossan This runaway adventure story touches the heart while stretching the imagination in many extraordinary ways. Five babies are left at the Little Tulip Orphanage in Amsterdam in 1880, one in a
Yes, No, Maybe So
by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Yes, No, Maybe So is a collaboration, and the latest publication, from authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed. Albertalli’s novel, Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda has been made into a film,
The Power of Positive Pranking
by Nat Amoore reviewed by Sarah Custance Here is an incredibly funny, thought provoking, heart-tugging book that makes you feel anyone and everyone can make a difference. Nat Amoore is the author of ‘Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire’ and though ‘The Power of
The Betrothed
by Kiera Cass reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Kiera Cass is known for her best-selling Selection series and The Betrothed, the first book in a duology, has been highly anticipated by fans. The cover photo is of a young woman in a golden
Boo Loves Books
by Kaye Baillie and Tracie Grimwood reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘Boo Loves Books’ is a must-have on the shelf of any dog lover, especially those that have rescue pets. Kaye Baillie is still a relatively new name in picture books but teamed
Evie and Pog: Party Perfect!
by Tania McCartney reviewed by Sarah Custance Tania McCartney is a children’s book writer, illustrator, and editor. She is the founder of ‘Kids’ Book Review’ and the ‘Happy Book’ podcast. Tina has written and/or illustrated dozens of picture books and children’s information
The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle
by Brenda Gurr reviewed by Sarah Custance Brenda Gurr is an Australian writer who has worked on several educational resources and picture books. ‘The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle’ appears to be her first early reader chapter book and
The Theory of Hummingbirds
by Michelle Kadarusman reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michelle Kadarusman is an Australian teen and middle-grade fiction writer. She grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and has also lived many years in Indonesia and in Canada. The Theory of Hummingbirds is her first publication
