The Lost Book of Magic
By Amelia Mellor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia's debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne's real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history and fantasy and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She
18,000 Holes in the Universe 2: Snack Attack
By Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Snack Attack is the second book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series. In the first book, Dragonfire, twins Noah and Jordie travelled through a magical
Hazel’s Treehouse
Written by Zanni Louise Illustrated by Judy Watson Reviewed by Jamie Willis Zanni Louise is the internationally published author of more than forty books for children, including picture books, junior fiction, middle grade and young adult. Her books have been recognised by prominent
Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury If you are already a fan of R.A Spratt’s humorous Nanny Piggins series, then you will love reading Piggins’ origin story. If this is your first foray into the world of Nanny Piggins, then
Dragonfire (18,000 Holes in the Universe, #1)
Written by Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Dragonfire is the first book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series. Twins Noah and Jordie are shocked when their great-uncle announces he’s demolishing their mum’s
Landovel
The Poison Taster, The Secret Keeper, The Truth Teller By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily Rodda is a well known and much loved Australian author of award winning books such as the Rowan of Rin series, His Name Was Walter, Eliza
Yarn Quest series #1, 2 & 3
#1 The Search for the Story Realm #2 The Great River Rescue #3 The Power of the Heart By Brooke Scobie illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brooke is a First Nations writer from Darkinjung land whose work here is illustrated by
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1
By L M Wilkinson Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is an enjoyable fast paced adventure with an appealing central character created by L M Wilkinson who has written many other titles as Lili Wilkinson, including Deep is the Fen,
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
By Claire Mabey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Mabey is very active in the New Zealand literary world - she is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis. She is also books editor at The Spinoff, book critic at RNZ
Seven Wherewithal Way: Over the Mountains and Through the Desert
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing Samantha-Ellen Bound’s highly original debut novel, What the Raven Saw (shortlisted for the Adelaide Festival Literature Award), planted her firmly on the Australian kidlit scene in 2013 and her latest middle-grade series, Seven Wherewithal Way,
Frog Squad Dessert Disaster (Frog Squad, #1)
By Kate and Jol Temple, Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This light hearted adventure featuring an evil toad who wants to rule the world being foiled by a team of brave amphibians has serious underflying themes about the natural world, sustainability, and
Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
By Derek Keilty Illustrated by Magda Brol Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Derek Keilty is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young
Secret Sparrow
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I have lost count of the number of books Jackie has written. She has been a constant source of inspiring and uplifting historical fiction my whole career and her interest and passion for history never
Andromache Between Worlds
By Gabriel Bergmoser Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. His YA novels include Boone Shepard and True Colour of a Little White Lie. Andromache Between Worlds is his first middle-grade book. This is much more fantasy than
The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast: Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters 3
By Karen Foxlee, illustrated by Freda Chiu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Karen Foxlee is the award winning author of Dragon Skin and Lenny's Book of Everything. The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast is the third in Mary-Kate monster adventures, the first is The Wrath
The Marvellers (The Conjureverse, #1)
By Dhonielle Clayton Reviewed by Bryani-Rose The novel, The Marvellers, written by Dhonielle Clayton is a captivating and magical tale that transports readers into a world of wonder. The story follows 11-year-old Ella, who is a young Conjurer and the first ever to attend
Neverlanders
By Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva are both well-known powerhouses in the Australian comic/graphic novel scenes. Together they wrote and illustrated Neverlanders, a powerful, vibrant YA graphic novel that has made history by
The Sinister Booksellers of Bath
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Ayesha Uddin Garth Nix, author of the Old Kingdom, Seventh Tower, and Keys to the Kingdom series, needs no introduction. In The Sinister Booksellers of Bath, second book in the Lefthanded Booksellers of London series, he delivers an immersive crime / fantasy story
Pepper Masalah and the Temple of Cats
By Rosanne Hawke Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rosanne Hawke is a prolific author of children’s books, many of which explore cultural and social issues. Notable titles include Shahana: Through My Eyes and Taj and the Great Camel Trek. This sequel to Pepper Masalah
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat
By Charlie Archbold Reviewed by Sarah Custance Charlie Archbold received much critical acclaim for her first book Mallee Boys which became a CBCA honour book for older readers. The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat is her first middle-grade novel and was
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
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
Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures
by Jason Pamment Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jason Pamment is an Australian graphic novelist who quickly gained attention with his first middle grade graphic novel, Treasure in the Lake. Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures is his second graphic novel aimed
Huda Was Here
By H Hayek Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla Huda Was Here is a heartfelt, funny tale of two kids trying to bring their dad back home. After a period of low crime rates in the neighbourhood, Huda and Akeal’s dad loses his job
Pepper Masalah and the Flying Carpet
By Rosanne Hawke Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rosanne Hawke is a prolific author of children's books, many of which explore cultural and social issues. Notable titles include Shahana: Through My Eyes and Taj and the Great Camel Trek. Here we
A Giant’s Trek
By Nick Stella Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut novel by Nick Stella, which he says, began as a bedtime story for his children is a fantasy adventure, about a village of giants, a rite of passage journey, and for the main
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
Ming and Marie: Spy for Freedom
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Former Australian Children’s Laureate, Jackie French is a fundamental figure when it comes to children’s literature within Australia. Whether she is writing her Diary of a Wombat picture books or critically acclaimed middle-grade novels, there
Augustin and the Hot Air Balloon
By David Metzenthen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Metzenthen has written over thirty books for children and young people and has won many honours, including the 2010 winner CBCA Book of the Year Jarvis 2010, 2003 winner Victorian Premier's Literary Awards prize for
