Sonny & Tess
By Nova Weetman Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Nova Weetman is an exemplary storyteller. There are several check boxes we’re accustomed to ticking when reviewing novels for young readers - the language, the messaging, the trigger warnings. But the best writing for
R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins
By Lucie Stevens Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucie Stevens is children's author, freelance writer, editor and publishing consultant. R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins, about a young girl coping with an unruly ghost, is her debut middle grade novel. Nine year old Albertine's cosy
The Monsters Next Door
By Kate Alice Marshall Reviewed by Helen Gearing Marshall is a trusted voice in the American horror landscape, writing suspenseful books for children and adults. Her previous middle grade titles include the Secrets of Eden Eld trilogy, which follows a trio of
Nightweaver
By R M Gray Reviewed by Ayesha Uddin Nightweaver is a debut YA fantasy novel in the popular Romantasy genre. The ambience is grimdark, the pace is relentless and the narrative shot through with a sense of menace that rarely abates. The story
Anna’s War
By D J Taylor Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Anna’s War is a compelling YA historical fiction novel by debut author, DJ Taylor. Set in German-occupied Holland in the later stages of World War II, the story was inspired by the childhood memories
True South
By Gisela Ervin-Ward Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray True South is the debut novel for experienced education writer Gisela Ervin-Ward. It includes all the desirable key ingredients of a gripping middle-grade mystery, such as buried treasure, family secrets, and compromised friendships. Set
Mim and the Mother Muddle (The Travelling Bookshop, #6)
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Imagine being a young girl travelling the world in an old wooden caravan pulled by a horse that decides where they will go and which seems to have magical powers that mean
Song of a Blackbird
By Maria van Lieshout Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Maria is a Dutch-American illustrator and graphic novelist.who has written many picture books for children. Her graphic novel Song of a Blackbird is inspired by historic events, including those that affected her own family, during
The Year We Escaped
By Suzanne Leal Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another gripping World War II story from the author of Running with Ivan, a CBCA Notable book. We first meet Klara Gold, a Jewish child, living in a Germany changing under Hitler's leadership. Klara
The Ballad of Darcy and Russell
By Morgan Matson Review by Lucille Rose A botched music festival. A broken-down bus. A dead phone. Darcy never knew the best night of her life would start quite like this. Darcy Milligan is your classic hopeless romantic: a book nerd with
11 Ruby Road 1925
By Charlotte Barkla Reviewed by Margaret McKay Lowndes Charlotte Barkla has structured her historical fiction series around a single address, 11 Ruby Road, and 1925 is the second instalment, the first having been set in 1900. In this story, the first family
The Lovely and the Lost
By Jennifer Lynn Barnes Reviewed by Lucille Rose This action thriller follows SAR dog trainer Kira bennet and her adoptive family as they begin the hunt for a girl lost in the American wilderness. Kira’s life is split it two, it has
To and Fro
By Anton Clifford-Motopi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Brisbane-based author Anton Clifford-Motopi is a former teacher and lecturer who currently works as a health researcher at a university. Anton’s stories explore themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendship, and draw from ‘
A Matter of Cats
By Elizabeth Hutchins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The author was inspired to write this novel by the dilemma of being both a cat lover and passionate about the preservation of Australia’s endangered species. The story is told through the eyes of Kate, a
The Hotel Balzaar
A Norendy Tale By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julia Sarda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan American author Kate DiCamillo can always be relied on to deliver an engrossing story that touches the heart. She is the author of numerous prize-winning titles such as
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
Taronga Presents
Written by Kristin Darell Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Helen Gearing Created in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, ‘Taronga Presents’ is a well researched junior fiction series for animal lovers six years and older. Written by Kristin Darell (author of the
Out of Bounds (The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best, #1)
By Katherine Collette Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Katherine's first middle grade novel and its a cracker! It is the very funny story of Alma, twelve years old and six feet tall, who lives in a small town called Shellsville, (sometimes
Prank Wars: Game On
By Louise Park, Mo Johnson & Jules Faber Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Prank Wars, Game On is the first in a new series created collaboratively by Louise Park & Mo Johnson, with Jules Faber supplying the visuals. All three have a
Turtle Moon
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Life has been unflash in the Trevelon household for some time as Silver's parents try unsuccessfully to have another child and discover that it is not going to happen. So much so
The Glass Girl
By Kathleen Glasgow Reviewed by Lucille Rose The Glass Girl is a stark, eye-opening book that leads the reader into the dark world of addiction. This novel follows the twisted life of Bella Leahey, fifteen-year-old alcoholic and designated adult in the Leahey
Millie Mak the Mender (Millie Mak, #2)
By Alice Pung Illustrated by Sher Rill Ng. Reviewed by Helen Gearing Alice Pung OAM is one of Australia’s most decorated contemporary writers, delivering the State of the (Writing) Nation Address in 2021 and receiving an Order of Australia for her contributions
My Brother, Finch
Written by Kate Gordon Reviewed by Jamie Willis Kate Gordon is an award-winning author of children’s and young adult fiction. Her novel Aster’s Good, Right Things won the CBCA Book of the Year for younger readers in 2021, and in 2023, Xavier in
Jerry’s Window
By Y K Willemse Reviewed by Heidi Gray Jerry’s Window is Yvette’s most recent dive into middle grade fiction after her young adult epic fantasy fiction series The Fledgling Account. Jerry’s Window is a hilarious page turner depicting all the imaginative and
The Lost History: Talismans of Fate, Book Two
By Melanie La'Brooy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sequel to The Wintrish Girl which delighted many readers with its originality, humour, engaging characters, and fast paced action. Here again are the same characters: Penn, still struggling to find her true
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
By Carla Fitzgerald Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carla wrote the picture book Keeping Up with the Dachshunds and How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five, reviewed in StoryLinks, another funny and heartwarming story also aimed at middle grade readers. In How to
The Unexpected Mess of It All
Written by Gabrielle Tozer Reviewed by Jamie Willis Gabrielle Tozer is the award-winning author of seven books, including Remind Me How This Ends, Can’t Say It Went to Plan and The Intern, and her latest novel, The Unexpected Mess of It All, is a heart-warming coming-of-age YA
The Apprentice Witnesser
By Bren MacDibble Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Winner of the 2024 Aurealis Award Best Children's Fiction Bren MacDibble burst onto the children's literature world with How to Bee, a post apocalyptic story that won many awards including 2018 CBCA Book of the Year,
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By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Helen Gearing Morris Gleitzman, Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018-2019, has sold four million copies of his novels in Australia alone, as well as being published in more than 20 other countries. Gleitzman has a well-deserved reputation for
Mim and the Vicious Vendetta (The Travelling Bookshop, #5)
By Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, perhaps best known for her multi award-winning historical fiction (Waiting for the Storks; Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief; and We are Wolves), has teamed up with beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini
