Small Town
by Phillip Gwynne and Tony Flowers reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne is an Australian author of Young Adult novels, middle-grade novels, and picture books. Some of his works include ‘The Debt’ series, ‘Deadly Unna?’, ‘Stuff Happens: Michael’, and more recently ‘The
In the Key of Code
by Aimee Lucido reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel combines computers, music and poetry into an original package for young middle grade readers. Told in verse that often roams across the page, takes over, dominates or quivers in a corner, this story
Aussie Kids: Meet Taj at the Lighthouse
by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance This is the newest instalment in the ‘Aussie Kids’ series written about Australian children by Australian authors. Some of the other titles include ‘Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo’, ‘Meet
100% Wolf
by Jayne Lyons reviewed by Mia Macrossan One of the few reads that succeeds in being laugh out loud funny, 100 % WOLF by Jayne Lyons is the story of Freddy Lupin, from a noble family of werewolves. He is looking forward to
My Dad Snores
by John Williamson illustrated by Peter Carnavas Something to enjoy on Father's Day or any time of the year. Irresistible rhyming text combines with fantastic illustrations by Peter Carnavas. Watch with your children :https://youtu.be/rryevgjZCIo
Wolf Girl 3: The Secret Cave
by Anh Do illustrated by Lachlan Creagh reviewed by Sarah Custance If you have children or work with children in any way, then I have no doubt you now no longer think of Anh Do as a T.V. personality or comedian but rather
Joey and Riley
by Mandy Foot reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Foot has been illustrating other people's stories for many years but this is one she has written and illustrated herself. It is about a working dog who is also a beloved companion. Pet seems
The Unadoptables
by Hana Tooke illustrated by Ayesha L Rubio reviewed by Mia Macrossan This runaway adventure story touches the heart while stretching the imagination in many extraordinary ways. Five babies are left at the Little Tulip Orphanage in Amsterdam in 1880, one in a
As Fast As I Can
by Penny Tangey reviewed by Mia Macrossan Penny Tangey is a successful author with three well regarded novels to her credit: Two for older readers - Loving Richard Feynman , Clara in Washington and, for middle grade readers. - Stay Well Soon. As
The Lords of Melody
by Phillip Gwynne reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne has written many books in different genres that have achieved much critical acclaim such as his first novel ‘Deadly Unna?’, the picture book ‘Brothers from a Different Mother’, the junior fiction books ‘Jetty
Aussie Kids: Meet Katie at the Beach
by Rebecca Johnson illustrated by Lucia Masciullo reviewed by Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Puffin Australia for producing a new series aimed at emerging readers who are just gaining a bit of confidence aged 5 – 8. The Aussie Kids series of 8 books
This Is How We Change The Ending
by Vikki Wakefield reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes This fifth novel from award-winning South Australian novelist Vikki Wakefield tells the story of anti-hero Nate McKee, a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, as he journeys towards self-enlightenment and tries to escape
The Year the Maps Changed
by Danielle Binks reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel is set in Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula in 1999. It is an emotional drama that develops slowly gradually building up to an immersive picture of a family and community in conflict. Its
The Race for the Red Dragon: Children of the Dragon 2
by Rebecca Lim reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Race for the Red Dragon’ is the second novel in the ‘Children of the Dragon’ series by Rebecca Lim, the first being ‘The Relic of the Blue Dragon’. Rebecca Lim is the award-winning author
Bluey: Bob Bilby
reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bluey is the award-winning and incredibly popular Australian cartoon tv series featuring Bluey, the blue heeler pup and her family: Mum, Dad and her sister Bingo. It is produced by the Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC
The Space We’re In
by Katya Balen illustrated by Laura Carlin reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Space We’re In’ is UK author Katya Balen’s debut novel and if this book is anything to go by then she is an author to look out for in the future. Katya
When We Were Warriors
by Emma Carroll reviewed by Sarah Custance If you want a well written middle-grade historical fiction then Emma Carroll has proven herself to be the perfect choice. ‘When We Were Warriors’ is Carroll’s ninth novel and is living up to its predecessor’s
52 Mondays
by Anna Ciddor reviewed by Zewlan Moor Longing for Milly-Molly-Mandy for older readers? This is the book for you! Inspired by the author’s childhood 52 Mondays is a collection of short gentle vignettes with a narrative arc, tracing young Anna Lewison’s quest for
The Little Grey Girl (The Wild Magic Trilogy, Book Two)
by Celine Kiernan reviewed by Sarah Custance Celine Kiernan is an Irish author famous for her work The Moorehawke Trilogy. The Wild Magic Trilogy is her first time writing for a middle-grade audience. A quote on the cover describes Kiernan as Ireland’s
Tricky’s Bad Day
by Alison Lester reviewed by Claire Monsour Poor Tricky is having a bad day. It all starts when he wakes early and tries to get himself some milk; but a spill and a slip wake the whole family! From then on, nothing seems
Three Puffin Nibbles: Scruffy’s Day Out, The Littlest Pirate and Fairy Bread reviewed by our young reviewer, Felix Freeman (Grade 2)
Reviewed by Felix Freeman and Yvonne Mes It is wonderful to see these books published again! Puffin Nibbles are short simple stories by some of our most trusted authors and illustrators. The stories range from the fantastical to the everyday, but
Dream Riders : Frankie
by Laura Bloom and Jesse Blackadder Reviewed by Sarah Custance Laura Bloom and Jesse Blackadder are two award-winning writers who live in country Australia. In their new collaborative series ‘Dream Riders’ they have let their passion for country life and horses shine
Max’s Dinosaur Feet
by Lana Spasevski illustrated by Penelope Pratley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Max has a great idea. He pulls on a pair of dinosaur slippers and begins to charge around the living room. The stomping and smashing is bound to wake his baby
The Bogan Mondrian
by Steven Herrick reviewed by Dajo Finlayson From the very outset this book had me captivated. The vibrantly coloured front and back covers caught my attention as I’ve always been a fan of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s work. His wonderfully abstract,
It Sounded Better In My Head
by Nina Kenwood reviewed by Mia Macrossan This delightful debut novel deservedly won the 2018 Text Prize for fiction. It is the affecting story of Natalie and her friends in that limbo of time between finishing year 12 and starting university. Natalie
A Quiet Girl
by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Yvonne Mes Mary’s quiet conversations and ponderings are drowned out by the noise of tools, technology and toys used by her busy mother, brother and father. Mary is mostly content to be by herself surrounded by the
Ozzie Goes To School
Written by Jocelyn Crabb Illustrated by Danny Snell Reviewed by Kerry Neary Experts say that children should be made school-ready to lessen the anxiety of starting at school. This probably takes all their preschool lives, not just a few weeks beforehand or one
It’s Not Scribble To Me*
Written by Kate Ritchie Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Kerry Neary Written in vibrant, bouncing verse, the story follows a little bear who has just entered the crayon phase of its life. Most likely, it has been inspired as a mother watches
Emily Green’s Garden
Written by Penny Harrison Illustrated by Megan Forward Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Emily Green’s Garden is a picture book celebrating the love of plants. Author Penny Harrison and illustrator Megan Forward are aficionados of the gardening world, having cut their teeth on
The House on the Mountain
Written by Ella Holcombe Illustrated by David Cox Reviewed by Kerry Neary Australia suffers a lot from natural disasters; some are happening right now. A new release adds to the list of picture books about these disasters. The house on the mountain, ,
