Being Jimmy Baxter
By Fiona Lloyd Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Jimmy Baxter starts the story as Jimmy Branthwaite, a boy in Year 6. He and his mother are being driven to a safe house out of town for a “holiday.” It isn’t until his violent
How to Repaint a Life – CBCA Honours Older Readers
By Steven Herrick Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane born Steven Herrick has been writing fiction, poetry and verse novels for young people for many years. His latest, How to Repaint a Life is an honour book in the 2022 CBCA Older Reader
What Beauty There Is
By Cory Anderson Reviewed by Sue Wright Things are dire for 17 year old Jack Dahl and his beloved younger brother Matty. Their mother—no longer able to cope—is dead: Jack buried her himself, and with their violent father still in jail for
The Gilded Ones
By Namina Forna Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Namina, born in Sierra Leone, is an American author of young adult fiction and a successful screenwriter. The Gilded Ones, a fantasy about a teenager with special powers, is her YA debut novel and the
Honeybee
By Craig Silvey Reviewed by Margarite Igras Another highly acclaimed young adult fiction by this Australian author, previously best known for Jasper Jones which was made into a popular film. Honeybee is inspired by a real event which occurred when Silvey’s brother and
The Schoolmaster’s Daughter
By Jackie French Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Fans of Jackie French will be happy to see another rip-roaring read, once again based on her own family history. The Schoolmaster's Daughter starts with a shipwreck when Hannah Gilbert and her family are sailing to
With the Fire on High
By Elizabeth Acevedo Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This delectable novel about a teen mum with an almost supernatural talent for cooking had me hooked from the start, and cheering for the main character until the end. Emoni Santiago is 17 years old.
The Things That Will Not Stand
Written by Michael Gerard Bauer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest offering from Brisbane author is a great read for teenagers especially those still trying to work out what relationships are all about. The main character Seb, a year 11 student, is
Leaving the Lyrebird Forest
written by Gary Crew illustrated by Julian Laffan reviewed by Yvonne Mes Pondering a future beyond the forest, Alice a young girl, befriends a lyrebird and the elderly widower nearby. Alice is an independent and confident girl, who we follow from the age
