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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
Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans
By Adam Wallace. Illustrated by Dave Atze Reviewed by Helen Gearing New York Times bestselling author Adam Wallace (whose mission is to entertain kids, inspire them with a love of reading, and eat a lot of hot chips) has teamed up with
Losing the Plot
By Annaleise Byrd Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane based debut author Annaleise Byrd has produced an action packed portal fantasy sure to appeal to middle grade readers who like their fairy tales funny, fast and full of surprises. Ever since young Lucy stepped
Leo and Ralph
By Peter Carnavas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Peter’s first book, Jessica’s Box, was released in 2008, while he was working as a primary school teacher. Many picture books followed, including Last Tree in the City, The Children Who Loved Books and Blue Whale Blues. After focusing on
Secret Sparrow
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I have lost count of the number of books Jackie has written. She has been a constant source of inspiring and uplifting historical fiction my whole career and her interest and passion for history never
Andromache Between Worlds
By Gabriel Bergmoser Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. His YA novels include Boone Shepard and True Colour of a Little White Lie. Andromache Between Worlds is his first middle-grade book. This is much more fantasy than
Etta and the Octopus
By Zana Fraillon & Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Zana is the much awarded writer of picture books including The Gargoyle and The Curiosities and books for older readers such The Lost Soul Atlas and The Way of Dog, both reviewed in
Smoke & Mirrors
By Barry Jonsberg Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Barry Jonsberg is the much awarded author of the 2019 novel, My Life As An Alphabet, which was made into a film. He also wrote A Little Spark, reviewed in StoryLinks. Here he is in familiar
Lani and the Universe
By Victoria Carless Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane based Victoria Carless's previous novels include the YA novel The Dream Walker and the middle grade Gus and the Starlight, reviewed in StoryLinks. Lani and the Universe is another charming adventure for middle grade readers. Lani is
Alex: Through My Eyes – Australian Disaster Zones
By Rosanne Hawke Reviewed by Helen Gearing The latest book in the Australian Disaster Zones series, Alex is a powerful story providing multi-layered insights into a farming community suffering from a crippling drought. In the text’s accompanying Teachers’ Notes, Rosanne Hawk (whose 2012
The Complete Cleo Stories
Cleo and the necklace; Cleo and the present; Cleo makes a friend; Cleo wants a pet By Libby Gleeson & Freya Blackwood. Reviewed by Helen Gearing The Complete Cleo Stories will be treasured by long-time Cleo fans and new readers alike in an
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
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas
Written by Matt Lucas Illustrated by Forrest Burdett Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Matt Lucas is a British actor and comedian best known for his work with David Walliams on the BBC comedy series Little Britain. He has previously published two picture books for
The Marvellers (The Conjureverse, #1)
By Dhonielle Clayton Reviewed by Bryani-Rose The novel, The Marvellers, written by Dhonielle Clayton is a captivating and magical tale that transports readers into a world of wonder. The story follows 11-year-old Ella, who is a young Conjurer and the first ever to attend
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
Princess Ever After
By Connie Glynn Reviewed by Lucille Rose Princess Ever After is the fifth and final instalment of the Rosewood Chronicles. It begins with Lottie, who is the princess portman - hired to act as a member of the royal family to protect
The Lost Library
By Rebecca Stead & Wendy Mass Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca Stead has written the award winning When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy and The List of Things That Will Not Change and more. Wendy Mass has written more than thirty
Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief
By Dominique Valente Illustrated by Sarah Warburton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Willow Moss and the Magic Thief is the 4th and newest installment of these fun, magical, adventurous middle-grade books in the Starfell series, with the talented Sarah Warburton returning to add delightful
Copycat
By Kelli Anne Hawkins Reviewed by Sophia Evans Copycat is the third children’s book by Australian author Kelli Anne Hawkins. Her previous books include The School for Talking Pets (2021) and Birdbrain (2022). Copycat begins with Chapter One titled - THE END which
Silver Linings
By Katrina Nannestad Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, beloved best-selling author of twenty-three novels for children, brings early 1950s regional New South Wales (with its hopes for a brighter postwar future embodied in Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming coronation) to life in her
Neverlanders
By Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva are both well-known powerhouses in the Australian comic/graphic novel scenes. Together they wrote and illustrated Neverlanders, a powerful, vibrant YA graphic novel that has made history by
Millie Mak the Maker
by Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla Millie Mak is a creative and industrious nine-year-old who turns everyday objects into something new. Through her ingenuity, she navigates difficult friendships, family relationships and school. Millie Mak the Maker is
The Lonely Lighthouse of Elston-Fright
By Reece Carter Reviewed by Helen Gearing Nutritionist-turned-children’s-author Reece Carter burst onto the Australian kidlit scene in 2022 with his debut novel, A Girl Called Corpse, also reviewed in StoryLinks, which snaffled a bunch of award shortlistings, including Australian Book Industry Association’s
Rocket
Written by Dave Lowe Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Dave Lowe is a British-born, Brisbane-based author whose previous works include the My Hamster Is a Genius series, The Incredible Dadventure series, the ‘Cafe’ episode of Bluey, and several plays and musicals performed at
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
The Spider and her Demons
By sydney khoo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan sydney khoo is a nonbinary and aromantic asexual writer, born to Malaysian Chinese parents. They are the recipient of Penguin Random House Australia's Write It fellowship which aspires to find, nurture and develop unpublished writers
Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth
By Anna Fienberg Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Anna Fienberg has written more than forty well-loved books for children and young adults and has won many awards including the Children's Book Council of Australia award for The Magnificent Nose and Other Marvels, the Victorian
The Magic Gems Lily Halfmoon #1
By Xavier Bonet Translated by Marie Trinchant Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Xavier Bonet is a writer and illustrator who lives in Barcelona. He has worked on many titles including the graphic novel version of The Wind in the Willows. The Magic Gems is
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
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat
By Charlie Archbold Reviewed by Sarah Custance Charlie Archbold received much critical acclaim for her first book Mallee Boys which became a CBCA honour book for older readers. The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat is her first middle-grade novel and was
