What makes a Reviewer? Alison McCaffrey talks books and reviews
By Mia Macrossan I have been writing for many, many years. Recently I returned to my longtime passion, finding my voice and comfort zone among the words of Young Adult stories, and I am constantly learning and evolving. What are writers
StoryLinks reviews the 2026 CBCA Older Reader Shortlist
By Alison McCaffrey who has reviewed all six titles in the Older Reader category of the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year. The pinnacle for many Australian children’s authors is to be awarded one of the lauded prizes reserved for works
Last Bat of the Night
By David Gullan & Samantha Metcalfe CSIRO Publishing 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Gullan is a primary school teacher, whose love of Australian wildlife has found expression in writing picture books including Life in a Hollow and Last Bat of the Night. Samantha
The Cat Wants Custard
By P Crumble & Lucinda Gifford Larrikin House 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Kevin the Cat has a hankering for custard. He really, really wants it, and turns his nose up at all sorts of other treats, including sardines and pigs’ ears. But
This is Where We Say Goodbye
By Howard McKenzie-Murray Fremantle Press 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Ditching her roommate to hang out in the laundromat (without any clothes to wash, mind you) isn’t how Maud had planned to spend her twenty-first birthday. But she finds herself searching for a
This Stays Between Us
By Margot McGovern Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey This Stays Between Us is a creepy horror throwback to the 90s and 00s era that does not disappoint. The second novel from multi-award winning South Australian author Margot McGovern, this book has been
Meet the Author: Suzanne Leal
By Mia Macrossan Suzanne Leal is the author of novels The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice Prize. Her novel for middle-grade readers, Running with Ivan, is on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notables List for Younger Readers and
Starfish Can’t Ride Bikes
By Jess Horn & Mo Davey Larrikin House, September 2026 Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Jess Horn is a neurodivergent author and former speech pathologist whose picture books focus on diverse ways of seeing the world. Her latest is also part of
Ben’s Library
By Amani Uduman & Joanna Bartel New Frontier Publishing, 2026 Teacher Notes Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Ben’s Library is a sweet celebration of books, libraries, and the reading communities created when a favourite pastime is shared. This is Uduman’s third traditional picture book,
The Boy Who Lost His Laugh
By Dimity Powell & Heidi Cooper Smith EK Books 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Dimity Powell and EK Books have a track record of creating evocative, multi-layered picture books on tricky topics. The publishing house’s motto is “Books with Heart on Issues that
Once Upon Tomorrow
By Karen Comer Lothian Children's Books 2026 Reviewed by Dimity Powell Verse novels possess a certain magic that levels up emotion and crystalises conception. Award-winning Aussie author, Karen Comer's Once Upon Tomorrow is just such a lyrical foray into the past, the questionable future and
Cleopatra: The Girl Who Would Be King (Heroes in the Ancient World, #1)
By Jackie French HarperCollins Classroom resource Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our national treasure Jackie French styles herself as 'author, ecologist, historian, dyslexic and honorary wombat'. She must be one of the most prolific writers on the planet creating stories for children and adults notable
The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks
By Fiona Harris Affirm Press Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Fiona Harris is an author, scriptwriter, and actor who has worked in publishing, television, and theatre. She has published many books for children, including Sleepover BFFs and The Rebound, and is the co-author of
Golden*
*A StoryLinks starred review indicating a book of exceptional literary merit. By Jade Timms Text Publishing 2025 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every now and then, I finish the last page of a book and I’m compelled to immediately start again. Golden was one of
Of Flame and Fury
By Mikayla Bridge Macmillan Australia 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Even in a world where humans move into the lands of powerful magical creatures, we will find a way to stamp out their presence for our own benefit. Of Flame and Fury is the
Wild Darling (The Darling Devils, Book 3)
By Alexandra Moody Electric Monkey 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey It feels like sports romances, especially ice hockey, are everywhere at the moment. The sub-genre is having quite a time in the spotlight, and Australian author Alexandra Moody has found a cozy spot
On Gallant Wings
By Helen Edwards Reviewed by Helen Gearing In addition to ‘The Disappearing Circus,’ a recently published fantasy co-authored with Kate Gordon, South-Australian children’s author Helen Edwards has written four other middle grade novels challenging stereotypes and encouraging readers to consider gaps in
Meet the author: D J Taylor
Jenny Ruge talks to author DJ Taylor about her debut novel, Anna’s War. Thank you for taking the time to speak with StoryLinks, Di. Anna’s War is your first novel. How would you describe the experience of being a debut author, and
Wandering Wild
By Lynette Noni Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Lynette Noni is the author of the bestselling and award-winning Fantasy series The Prison Healer, the Medoran Chronicles and the Whisper duology, but in this novel, she has moved from her usual fantasy genre to
Birdbrain
By Kelli Anne Hawkins Reviewed by Sarah Custance Birdbrain is the second middle-grade novel by Australian author Kelli Anne Hawkins, who’s first book was The School for Talking Pets. 11-year-old Hadley Boggs lives a simple but happy life with her father and Mr
The Vexatious Haunting of Lily Griffin
By Paula Hayes Reviewed by Sarah Custance Paula Hayes is an Australian writer of magical realism for middle-grade audiences. Her first book Lily in the Mirror was a Notable book for the 2017 CBCA awards. The Vexatious Haunting of Lily Griffin is
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 instant success. This new edition published to coincide with the TV series
Nelson – Broccoli and Spies
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is a well known Australian DJ and food writer. Broccoli and Spies is the second book in the Nelson series all about a young boy who discovers that he has
Vlad’s Bad Breath
By Rory H. Mather Illustrated by Jesus Lopez Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri Vlad is a pint-sized vampire who doesn't want to brush his teeth. After stinking out close family members in delicious rhyme, he gets help from his other ghoulish friends and
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Garth has been a hugely successful writer for many years and his YA books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series; SF novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic,
Books for Children by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Introducing a Unique, Comprehensive and Free Resource of Books for Children by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature has produced a new Resource that celebrates children’s books by and about Australia’s Aboriginal
Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt
by Yvonne Mes illustrated by Jody Pratt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming board book contains a lot in a small package. It is the perfect way to introduce your child to the joy and fun of Easter egg hunting in an Australian context.
Kensy and Max 5: Freefall
by Jacqueline Harvey reviewed by Sarah Custance Jacqueline Harvey is a successful Australian children’s author best known for her ‘Alice-Miranda’ series (now at 18 books) and the ‘Clementine Rose’ series (now at 15 books). Kensy and Max is a relatively new series
Atticus Van Tasticus 2: The Map of Half Maps
by Andrew Daddo illustrated by Stephen Michael King reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Daddo is a versatile man with a career in TV shows, podcasts, and writing. His latest endeavor has been writing middle-grade fiction starting with ‘Atticus Van Tasticus’ and now here
Leaping Lola
by Tracey Hawkins illustrated by Anil Tortop reviewed by Sandy Driessens How lovely is this image of a cow leaping in the moonlight and the black and white cow hide print on the end papers. But what is the story behind it? With clip-clopping
