NEW Reading List: Anne Frank Remembered
Anne Frank Remembered A Reading List prepared by Dajo Finlayson Anne Frank’s diary has become one of the most powerful memoirs of the Holocaust. Its message of courage and hope…
The What on Earth Institute of Wonder
By Lisa Nicol Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lisa Nicol is the author of the CBCA Notable book Boogaloo and the Girl Who Lost Her Laughter along with Vincent and the…
Einstein the Penguin
By Iona Rangeley Illustrated by David Tazzyman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming animal story is the debut novel of a young Oxford graduate illustrated in a zany cartoon style…
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
By Beatrix Potter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan It is 120 years since a famous rabbit in a little blue jacket made his first appearance. Generations have grown up following Peter…
That Cat
By Jacqueline Harvey Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jacqueline Harvey is perhaps better known as the author of the popular Alice-Miranda and Kensy & Max series.…
Lion Is That You?
By Moira Court Reviewed by Margarite Igras Author and illustrator, Moira Court, has created this captivating picture book of discovery. The reader is led to believe that there could be…
Once Upon a Crime: Murder Most Unladylike #11
By Robin Stevens Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd American-born British author Robin Stevens is the mastermind behind the incredibly successful middle grade series Murder Most Unladylike. The series includes nine full…
Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #16
By Jeff Kinney Puffin 2021 Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Thomas What is this book about? This book is about a kid who doesn’t really want to play sports, but his…
365 First Words & An Interesting Word for Every Day of the Year
By Dr. Meredith L. Rowe Illustrated by Monika Forsberg Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Did you know a ‘cartographer” is a person who takes photos of cars? That was the definition…
Gilded
By Marissa Meyer Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Marissa Meyer is the bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series of science-fiction stories based on fairytales. Titles include Cinder, Scarlet and Cress.…
Ming & Flo Fight For the Future
Book #1 The Girls Who Changed the World By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French is the much awarded former Children’s Laureate whose published books for children are…
Friday Barnes 10: Undercover
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author R.A. Spratt is well known for her middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes, and The Peski Kids. Undercover is…
Big Apple Diaries
By Alyssa Bermudez Reviewed by Sarah Custance Alyssa is just your average 7th grader, worrying about how to mix her social life (or lack thereof) with her studies so that…
The Royal Ranger: Escape From Falaise
By John Flanagan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author John Flanagan is world renowned for his works, The Ranger’s Apprentice and The Brotherband series of books. Escape from Falaise is…
The Book of Stolen Dreams
By David Farr Illustrated by Kristina Kister Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Farr writes for film, tv and theatre mostly aimed at adult audiences and this is his first foray…
Love and romance for St Valentine’s Day
Binge on romance (and maybe some chocolate) on St Valentine’s Day with some of these delightful love stories, suitable for young and not so young adults. Love and Romance Novels…
New Reading List: World War II Fiction for Years 7 – 9
WORLD WAR II Europe fiction for Year 7 – 9 Here is a list of fiction selected and prepared by Dajo Finlayson, all set in Europe during World War II,…
Born to Run
By Cathy Freeman Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Cathy Freeman is a Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman who now lives in Melbourne although she grew up…
Wonder
By R J Palacio Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. Wonder is a multi-million copy bestselling and critically acclaimed…
Ghosts
By Raina Telgemeier Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Ghosts is Raina Telgemeier’s 4th award-winning graphic novel, following her acclaimed and award-winning Smile series which quickly gained her a huge…
Backyard Beasties
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Born and educated in Perth, Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She is…
The Boy and the Elephant
By Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This sensitive wordless picture book by multi award winning artist and storyteller Freya Blackwood can be enjoyed and shared by all ages. A…
2022 Short Story Competition for writers 18+ NOW OPEN
All writers of children’s stories aged 18+ are invited to enter the 2022 StoryLinks Short Story competition Entries should be a short story, maximum of 1500 words, suitable for children of…
Mrs Koala’s Beauty Parlour
By Catherine Jinks and Tania McCartney Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The first book of Catherine Jinks that I read was Pagan’s Crusade (1992) which grew out of her love of…
Unleash Your Creative Monster: A Children’s Guide to Writing
By Andy Jones & Olaf Falafel Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Over my 50+ years working with children, and particularly following my passion for developing their literacy skills, I have been…
Blackout
By Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon. Reviewed by Yvonne Mes In this romantic anthology, written by 6 bestselling and award-winning African…
Ena Noël Shortlist announced
The 2022 Shortlist for the IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for a young emerging writer or illustrator has been announced. In 1994, founding president of IBBY Australia, Ena Noël OAM , founded…
Round the Twist
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Round the Twist, a collection of stories famous for their surprising endings, burst upon an unsuspecting reading public in 1990 and became an…
Archie & Reddie
By Candy James Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a new early reader graphic novel series for children aged 4 to 8.…
Tiny Wonders
By Sally Soweol Han Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian-Korean author and Illustrator Sally Soweol Han, has created this sweet and magical picture book about a little girl who wants to…
