Here and Only Here
By Christelle Dabos Reviewed by Lucille Rose Christelle Dabos is the author of The Mirror Visitor, which won the Gallimard Jeunesse-RTL-Télérama First Novel Competition. Here and Only Here, is an immediately engaging novel depicting the ups, downs and strange in-betweens of high school. Four
No Brainer: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (18)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Thomas In addition to having a permanent place on the New York Times bestseller list, I’m sure these books have helped many developing readers become permanent book lovers. The highlights of this series apart
Fluff, Bullies Beware! (Fluff, #1)
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Matt Stanton is the bestselling author of the Funny Kid series along with dozens of others, ranging from picture books to middle-grade novels with graphic novels in between. Fluff, Bullies Beware! is the first in what will
Ruby and the Pen
By David Lawrence. Illustrated by Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Helen Gearing Short chapters, lots of dialogue, larger-than-life characters, cartoon-style illustrations and a wallop of fun make David Lawrence’s latest middle-grade novel a solid choice for readers aged 8-11 who need some encouragement
Willa and Woof Series: #4 Wedding Rescue & #5 Let the Games Begin
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Liane McDermott Wedding Rescue and Let the Games Begin are Jacqueline Harvey’s latest books in the Willa and Woof series, which follows the adventures of eight-year-old Willa and her best four-legged friend, Woof. In Wedding Rescue, the story
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
Sunshine on Vinegar Street
By Karen Comer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Karen Comer is a Melbourne author who runs writing workshops for both children and adults. Both her debut YA novel Grace Notes and her latest middle-grade novel Sunshine on Vinegar Street are written as verse
The Offline Diaries
By Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene Reviewed by Sarah Custance Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene, the award-winning duo behind the critically acclaimed Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, are now back with The Offline Diaries: As Told by Ade and
The Last Firefox
By Lee Newbery Illustrations by Laura Catalan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lee Newbery is a Welsh author, The Last Firefox is his debut novel that focuses on the importance of friendship, family, and what it truly means to be brave. 11-year-old Charlie lives in
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 novel written by R. J. Palacio that is renowned for its ground-breaking ideas
Always
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Once I escaped from an orphanage to find Mum and Dad. Then I had a plan for me and Zelda. After the Nazis took my parents I was scared. Soon I hoped the Nazis would be defeated and
Mim and the Baffling Bully : The Traveling Bookshop #1
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katrina Nannestad is the award-winning Australian author of over a dozen middle-grade novels including the much acclaimed The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome series as well as the CBCA
The Protected
By Claire Zorn Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Young Adult novels often take the form of sci-fi, fantasy or dystopia, taking us to amazing worlds full of dragons, aliens, or earth-changing catastrophes. Not so The Protected, an award winning novel by Claire Zorn
The Year We Fell From Space
by Amy Sarig King reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amy Sarig King has published many critically acclaimed young adult novels under the name A.S. King, including Please Ignore Vera Dietz, which was named a Michael L. Printz Honor Book, and Ask the Passengers, which
The Longest Night of Charlie Noon
written by Christopher Edge reviewed by Leslee Anne Hewson This adventure story is fascinating because of its historical references and science input. Edge wrote a complicated but accessible story which included factual information about codes and code-breaking – The Freemason’s Code, Morse
Unpacking Harper Holt
Written by Di Walker Reviewed by Margie McKay-Lowndes In this emotive coming of age story, set in a picturesque beach-side suburb of Melbourne, Di Walker’s debut novel presents a story of hope in the face of unimaginable grief and loss. The Holts - Mum,
