The Callers
By Kiah Thomas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There are so many middle grade stories where the protagonist has a special power that sets him/her apart from the rest of his family and community. The Callers has an interesting beginning because Quin who
The Champ!
By Anh Do Illustrated by David Atze Reviewed by Sarah Custance Vietnamese-Australian author Anh Do has written some of the bestselling children’s book series over the last decade and created a devoted fan base of readers. For younger readers he has written the
Into the Sideways World
By Ross Welford Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd British author Ross Welford, a former TV producer and self-proclaimed ‘magic nerd’ who performs his ‘Time Travelling Rope Trick’ during school visits, has written seven stand-alone middle grade science-fiction/fantasy novels. His titles include Time Travelling
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 Grandest Hotel on Earth which has gained a worldwide audience and has
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 novels and two short story collections; Once Upon a Crime is the
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 the tenth and latest addition to the Friday Barnes book series. When we last
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 5th instalment of The Royal Ranger series which is intertwined within
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 into the world of children's books. He has succeeded admirably in creating an
The Midnight Girls
By Alicia Jasinska Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jasinska is an Australian fantasy writer whose debut novel The Dark Tide made quite an impression. The Midnight Girls is her second and again borrows a lot from East European folklore. This makes the novel
Holiday Reading for 2022
Happy Holidays everyone :) Here is a mix of titles, old and new guaranteed to enthral middle grade readers. They have been tried and tested by our readers and reviewers and I know you will find something that children of this
Batpig: When Pigs Fly
Written and illustrated by Rob Harrell Reviewed by Sarah Custance Rob Harrell is an author-illustrator of many books including the much acclaimed book Wink, in which the original concept for his newest graphic novel When Pigs Fly can be found among it’s
Animal Train: Wolf Girl 6
By Anh Do Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do has become one of the most well-known household names in children’s literature with his first few series including: WeirDO, HotDog, and Ninja Kid. For the last few years, he mas
Wishyouwas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters
By Alexandra Page Illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Alexandra Page’s first children’s book (and the first in a series), Wishyouwas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters, is a charming story timed well for release in the lead up to Christmas. As
An Unexpected Hero: Pow Pow Pig 1
By Anh Do Illustrated by Peter Cheong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Anh Do has written many books for young people, all of them wildly popular. They are usually heavily illustrated, simply written with an easily accessible story and a message that appeals to
Nelson 3 : Eggplants and Dinosaurs
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is an Australian DJ, podcaster, restaurant owner, as well as the author of the Nelson series. Eggplants and Dinosaurs is the third book in the Nelson series following Pumpkins and
The School for Talking Pets
Written by Kelli Anne Hawkins Illustrated by Beth Harvey. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The cover of this book says it all. There’s adventure, excitement, intrigue, talking pets and yes, “flying pigs”. Shy Rusty Mulligan enters a world-wide contest, to win a week at “Miss
Kensy and Max #8: High Voltage
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jacqueline Harvey’s Kensy and Max series returns with its eighth instalment, titled High Voltage, in a high-octane addition to the action-packed spy series. Kensy and Max are supposed to be on a relaxing holiday in Portugal
Monster Hunting for Beginners
By Ian Mark Illustrated by Louis Ghibault Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Monster Hunting for Beginners is Irish author Ian Mark’s first novel in a brand-new fantasy series that hits all the sweet spots for kids—funny, sweet and plenty of fart jokes. The story begins
Julia and the Shark
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave Illustrated by Tom de Freston Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kiran's books include The Girl of Ink & Stars, which was the winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017; The Island at the End of Everything, which was shortlisted for
The School between Winter and Fairyland
By Heather Fawcett Reviewed by Barbara Braxton "Twelve-year-old Autumn is a beastkeeper at Inglenook School for Magicians, which she secretly dreams of attending as a student. Instead, she must care for Inglenook's menagerie of dangerous creatures so the king's future monster hunters
The Vanishing at the Very Small Castle : The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries, #2
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jackie French is the award-winning Australian author of over 140 books. Her impact on children’s literature led her to become the 2014-2015 Australian Children’s Laureate as well as being awarded 2015 Senior Australian of the
Little Gem and the Mysterious Letters
Written and illustrated by Anna Zobel Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anna Zobel is an Australian author living in Melbourne. Her first novel Little Gem about a clumsy but well-meaning young witch who accidently transports herself 100 years into the future was well
Across the Sea: Wolf Girl 5
By Anh Do Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is a well-known Australian personality in comedy, T.V, art, and writing. He is the author of the much-loved children’s series WeirDo, Ninja Kid, and the HotDog books. His newer series,
The Greatest Inventor
By Ben Brooks Illustrated by George Ermos Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro Ben Brooks is the successful author of numerous children’s books, most famously Stories for Boys who Dare to be Different. The Greatest Inventor is an unexpectedly insightful tale of village
Night Ride into Danger
Written by Jackie French. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Stories that speak to her ancestry and personal history have inspired another engaging historical fiction from the prolific Jackie French. The night run of the Cobb and Co mail coach to Goulburn was a gruelling,
Heroes of the Secret Underground
By Susanne Gervay Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Susanne Gervay, acclaimed Australian author of the I Am Jack series, along with various picture books and standalone novels, has written a powerful and moving middle grade novel inspired by her family's experiences in Nazi-occupied
Eliza Vanda’s Button Box
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another original fantasy from one of Australia's best-loved writers for children. Almost every family has a button box filled with odd buttons collected over the years, but Eliza Vanda's button box contains some
The Dog Who Saved the World
By Ross Welford Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro Ross Welford is the English television producer turned children's author of the popular Time Travelling with a Hamster ‘The 1000-year- Old Boy’ and many more. The Dog who saved the World is an inspirational and
The Hatmakers
By Tamzin Merchant Illustrated by Paola Escobar Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tamzin Merchant is a British actor best known for playing period roles. The Hatmakers is her first novel and the start of a series with the second book, The Mapmakers, due to
The Golden Tower
By Belinda Murrell Reviewed by Sarah Custance Belinda Murrell is a popular Australian author known for her many middle-grade time-slip novels such as The Ivory Rose, The Ruby Talisman, The Locket of Dreams, The Forgotten Pearl, and many more, as well as
