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
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 Drover’s Son
By Leah Purcell & Dub Leffler Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian actor, director, playwright and novelist, Leah Purcell is well known for her many skills. She wrote and performed in an adaptation of Henry Lawson’s famous short story, The Drovers Wife and
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
Brightest Wild
By Tania Crampton-Larking Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Out of place, out of depths, out of sorts. All the ways eleven-year-old Alex feels when she’s made to leave her comfortable London life to move to a small Adelaide suburb with a soon-to-be stepfamily.
A Good Kind of Trouble
By Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Brooke Blurton is the first Indigenous and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. Her advocacy for First Nations people and the LGBTQ+ community continues, alongside writer, editor and Bigambul and Wakka Wakka woman,
Washpool
By Lisa Fuller Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Washpool is the second novel by Lisa Fuller, a Wulli Wulli woman and award-winning writer. Unlike the darker mysteries of her previous YA novel, Ghost Bird, Washpool is a surreal fantasy fit for any middle-grade
Wongutha Tales
Bawoo & Badudu Stories By May O'Brian Reviewed by Mia Macrossan May O'Brian was one of Australia's first indigenous school teachers and served for many years as community leader and on many committees. She was also a gifted storyteller. This little paperback contains
Crow Baby
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her many publications include Bush Birds, Owl and Star and Backyard Beasties, all reviewed in StoryLinks. Long long ago a
Guardians: Wylah The Koorie Warrior 1 and Custodians: Wylah The Koorie Warrior 2
By Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard Reviewed by Sophia Evans Guardians: Wylah The Koorie Warrior 1 is a fantasy-adventure story inspired by First Nations history. It is a bit hard to classify as it attempts to merge fantasy, adventure, action, alternate history, and
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
Charlie’s Swim
By Edith Wright Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Edith proudly acknowledges her Bardi heritage and this story is about her uncle, Charlie D' Antoine, a Bardi man who grew up near Ardiyooloon. Charmaine, an artist and activist, is a descendant
My Deadly Boots
By Carl Merrison, Hakea Hustler and Samantha Campbell Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Clothes maketh the man’ is an old-fashioned proverb, but a sentiment that plenty still embrace. It suggests that people judge you by your clothes, but also that wearing certain
Ninni Yabini
By Cheryl Kickett-Tucker and Tyrown Waigana Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a dual language book written in English and the language of the Noongar people of SW Western Australia. The story is based on a tale, passed down in the oral
Celebrating NAIDOC Week with books for children
To celebrate NAIDOC Week Readings Bookshop has published an excellent list of First Nations books for Teens. We would also like to remind you of our list prepared by Dajo Finlayson called Aboriginal Peoples' Stories and our list Indigenous Picture Books. To
Main Abija – My Grandad
By Karen Rogers Reviewed by Sue Wright There are books that fictionalise events in history to make history accessible, and then there are books which play an important role in recovering history and connections that have been lost. Main Abija – My Grandad by
Ena Noël Award 2022
IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for a young emerging writer or illustrator . IBBY Australia and the panel of judges are proud to announce the winner of the 2022 Ena Noël Award is Gary Lonesborough, The Boy from the Mish (Allen & Unwin) Set in a contemporary Australia
Indigenous Picture Books
To celebrate NAIDOC WEEK 2021 here is a list of recent indigenous picture books that all children will enjoy. They range widely in subject matter, are enlightening about Australia's indigenous heritage and all are stunning in colour and design. Click
Hello and Welcome
Written and illustrated by Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Des Crump Gregg Dreise is a proud Kamilaroi and Euahlayi writer and illustrator who shares stories and culture through his colourful books. Younger readers have been engaged with his previous books on birds, e.g.,
