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
A Little Spark
By Barry Jonsberg Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Most of Barry's novels are about complex family relationships negotiated by a teenage protagonist at the centre of the action. Here in his latest, A Bright Spark, he deals with the fallout from divorce. Cate is
How Do You Say I Love You?
Written by Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Sandy Driessens People express their love with different gestures and words. Come on journey around the world and learn how love is expressed in diverse languages, traditions and across generations. Ashley Barton has
The Zebra’s Great Escape
By Katherine Rundell Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What a treat this is, a new book by two award winning creators. Katherine is the author of The Explorers, The Good Thieves and One Christmas Wish and more, while Sara creates
The Wintrish Girl: Talismans of Fate #1
By Melanie La'Brooy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Melanie is a successful Australian writer of adult novels, this is her debut novel for children. A Wintrish Girl just snaps, crackles and pops with action, humour and invention. Set in the Empire of Arylia its
Milly and the Mulberry Tree
Written by Vikki Conley Illustrated by Deb Hudson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Milly’s Mulberry tree is the centre of her world. One Day Milly helped her Papa plant a tree, right in the middle of the garden, “so it can grow with us”. As
How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five
By Carla Fitzgerald Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Carla Fitzgerald is a Sydney-based author who has previously published the picture book Keeping Up with the Dachshunds. How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five is her debut middle grade novel. The book opens
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
My Baba is the Best
Written by Bachar Houli Illustrated by Debby Rahmalia Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bachar Houli is a noted AFL football player and devout Muslim who has successfully promoted various community initiatives. This is his first picture book. It is a colourful depiction of Muslim family
Ninni Yabini
By Cheryl Kickett-Tucker and Tyrown Waigana Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a dual language book written in English and the language of the Noongar people of SW Western Australia. The story is based on a tale, passed down in the oral
But I’m NOT Hungry For My Dinner!
Written by Valerie Gent Illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan Reviewed by Claire Monsour Valerie Gent is a Paediatric Feeding Speech Pathologist and this is her first children’s book, dedicated to her two sons, who in her words, “have taught me all that I
Big Magic
By Sarah Armstrong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah has published several books for adults included the Miles Franklin shortlisted Salt Rain. Big Magic is her first novel for children, with a sequel due in 2023. The 'big' magic in this book is passed
Cop and Robber
by Tristan Bancks Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tristan Bancks has written books for children and teens which include the thrillers Two Wolves, The Fall and Detention. He has won many awards and is the writer-ambassador for Room to Read. He has a
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
Cuckoo’s Flight
By Wendy Orr Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Cuckoo’s Flight is a companion novel to the critically acclaimed Dragonfly Song and Swallow’s Dance, but totally successful as a standalone. All three are set in the Bronze Age Minoan civilization in Crete. This third
Eyes That Speak To The Stars
Written by Joanna Ho Illustrated by Dung Ho Reviewed by Margarite Igras This poignant picture book is a companion to Eyes That Kiss In The Corners . Eyes That Speak To The Stars is about accepting who you are, your heritage and your
The Love That Grew
By Sarah Ayoub Illustrated by Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Sarah Ayoub's first picture book, her previous titles, Hate is Such a Strong Word, The Yearbook Committee and The Cult of Romance are all for YA readers. It is also
Miimi Marraal: Mother Earth
Written and illustrated by Melissa Greenwood Reviewed by Des. Crump Melissa Greenwood is a Gumbaynggirr artist who shares a warm story of the connections between mothers, babies and Mother Earth. The text is rich in imagery and cultural knowledge while the beautiful illustrations
A Blue Kind of Day
By Rachel Tomlinson Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey Reviewed by Margarite Igras A caring, family orientated picture book, written by psychologist Rachel Tomlinson with amazingly expressive illustrations by Indigenous Australian Tori-Jay Mordey. It is aimed at young readers and presents the challenging subject of
Alfie the Brave
By Richard Harris Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Sarah Custance Some may know Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, not for writing children’s books, but for his work as a member of the international cave-diving team that rescued a young soccer team from rising
Star the Elephant: Surviving the Wild 2
By Remi Lai Reviewed by Sarah Custance Brisbane based author/illustrator Remy Lai is well known for her middle grade novels, Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall. Star the Elephant is the second instalment of her new graphic novel series,
Bella and the Voyaging House
By Meg McKinlay Illustrated by Nicholas Schafer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Meg McKinlay is best known for her award-winning books A Single Stone, Catch a Falling Star, Surface Tension, and Annabel, Again. Now Bella and her travelling house are back for
The Break
By Phillip Gwynne Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes The tropical setting of the island of Bali is aptly represented by the palm trees basking in the warm orange glow on the cover of this novel. Penned by Phillip Gwynne, renowned author of Deadly
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
Einstein the Penguin
By Iona Rangeley Illustrated by David Tazzyman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming animal story is the debut novel of a young Oxford graduate illustrated in a zany cartoon style that perfectly suits the subject. It is set in London in late December. The
Ghosts
By Raina Telgemeier Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Ghosts is Raina Telgemeier’s 4th award-winning graphic novel, following her acclaimed and award-winning Smile series which quickly gained her a huge number of fans. She is also an illustrator for the graphic adaptation
Tiny Wonders
By Sally Soweol Han Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian-Korean author and Illustrator Sally Soweol Han, has created this sweet and magical picture book about a little girl who wants to bring some happiness, colour, and wonder to her fast-paced, grey, town. Her
Scaredy Bath
By Zoe Foster Blake & Daniel Gray-Barnett Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author, Zoë Foster Blake, has written this fun twist on bath time, from surprisingly, the bathtub’s point of view. The main character is Scaredy Bath, who has to learn to
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
A Whole Lot of Lemonade Jones
By Davina Bell Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Lemonade Jones likes making life loud and exciting and these three stories do just that. Story One: The First Day Back has Lemonade strutting confidently into Year One, but there could be a