Dear Greta
By Yvette Poshoglian Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Yvette Poshoglian is the author of over forty books for children and young people, including the Ella and Olivia series. Born and raised in Sydney, Yvette taught secondary English in southwest Sydney and now manages
The Raven’s Song
By Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble Reviewed by Liane McDermott Two highly acclaimed and awarded writers, Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble, deliver an absorbing and thought-provoking novel encompassing elements of fantasy and science fiction. True to Bren MacDibble’s writing of climate change
The Great Fox Illusion
By Justyn Edwards Reviewed by Sarah Custance Justyn Edwards is an author from the UK, The Great Fox Illusion is his debut novel all about magic and the storytelling behind a successful trick. The Great Fox Illusion is the first book in
Cursed Tales: The Pharaoh of Asco Express
By Jake R. Wilson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Cursed Tales: The Pharaoh of Asco Express is UK archaeologist and author, Jake R. Wilson’s debut novel and the beginning of the Cursed Tales series. When 11-year-old Wesley steps foot into the odd Asco Express
Funny Kid Catastrophe (Funny Kid, #11)
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Catastrophe is the eleventh in a popular series that shows no signs of flagging. The Funny Kid is Max Walburt, self absorbed and somewhat selfish. He is thrilled that his mum is running for mayor
A Girl Called Corpse: An Elston-Fright Tale
By Reece Carter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I nearly didn’t read this because I got turned off by the title* – I wasn’t sure I wanted to read a book about a girl called Corpse but I’m so glad I did. This
What About Thao?
By Oliver Phommavanh Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury What About Thao? is another funny, sweet and touching story by comedian Oliver Phommavanh, whose previous books include Thai-riffic, Con-nerd and The Other Christy. When Thao (pronounced towel without the L) and his family move from Sydney to the
Willa and Woof 2: Birthday Business
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla Jacqueline Harvey is a household name in the Australian kidlit landscape. From the perpetually positive Alice-Miranda to junior spies, Kensy and Max, you’d be hard-pressed to find a kids’ bookshelf without one of Jacqueline’s titles.
The Last Firefox
By Lee Newbery Illustrations by Laura Catalan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lee Newbery is a Welsh author, The Last Firefox is his debut novel that focuses on the importance of friendship, family, and what it truly means to be brave. 11-year-old Charlie lives in
Prometheus High: The Books of the Dead
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Books of the Dead is the second novel in the Prometheus High series by Melbourne based author Stuart Wilson, with How to Build a Monster as the first book. After being rescued from the Unbound
The Book of Wondrous Possibilities
By Deborah Abela Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla You know when you pick up a Deborah Abela novel, you’re in safe hands. I had the pleasure of presenting alongside Deb at the Words on the Waves Festival earlier in 2022. She’s a masterful storyteller,
The Jammer
By Nova Weetman Illustrated by Jessica Cruickshank Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Nova Weetman is the award-winning author of many middle grade and young adult novels. In The Jammer she delivers another deeply satisfying story about love, loss, grief, growing up, connections and finding your
Bored: Frog’s Mystery Twin
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Matt Stanton is the bestselling author behind the comedic Funny Kid series and The Odds graphic novels. Frog’s Mystery Twin is the second book in Stanton’s newest series Bored, with the first being Milo Finds
Birdbrain
By Kelli Anne Hawkins Reviewed by Sarah Custance Birdbrain is the second middle-grade novel by Australian author Kelli Anne Hawkins, who’s first book was The School for Talking Pets. 11-year-old Hadley Boggs lives a simple but happy life with her father and Mr
Friends Fur-ever: Smarty Pup 1
By Anh Do Illustrated by Anton Emdin Reviewed by Eva B, aged 8 One of the best books I have ever read! Lily's new pup JJ is kind of clumsy, but something about his smiley face makes her really happy inside. So you
Answers in the Pages
By David Levithan Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Levithan is an award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of young adult books, including 19 Love Songs, Every Day, Boy Meets Boy, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green). David Levithan is a serious
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
Dead Good Detectives
By Jenny McLachlan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jenny McLachlan is a UK author of over 12 books for children and young adults. Her most well-known series is The Land of Roar trilogy packed with dragons and epic adventures. Dead Good Detectives is
Owl and Star
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her previous books include Backyard Beasties also reviewed in StoryLinks. Here she has written and illustrated in her inimitable and
Egg
Written by Clare Atkins Illustrated by Harrison Vial Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Out in the vast blue ocean, something bobs in the waves. Alone. A strange egg has washed up onto the shore of the island of cooked eggs. It is the same
Violin and Cello
Story by Catherine Greer Illustrated by Joanna Bartel Music by Alexander Lau Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is an inspiring story for any child beginning to learn a new instrument. Two children live in the same apartment block but they have never met. They
Honour Among Ghosts
By Sean Williams Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sean Williams has written over fifty novels including the CBCA Notable Her Perilous Mansions. Here he has created an intriguing fantasy mystery, characterised by the same quirky original magic of the world of Her Perilous Mansions.
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
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
Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon
By Gabrielle Wang Reviewed by Sarah Custance Gabrielle Wang is an Australian author who has written over 20 books for middle-grade audiences. She is the current Australian Children’s Laureate (2022 – 2023) and Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
We Run Tomorrow
By Nat Amoore Illustrated by Mike Barry Reviewed by Sarah Custance Nat Amoore is the author of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, The Power of Positive Pranking, and The Right Way to Rock all based around different children in the fictional school of
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
The Detective’s Guide to New York City
By Nicki Greenberg Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd The Detective's Guide to New York City is the sequel to Nicki Greenberg's debut middle grade mystery novel, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel. In the first book, we were introduced to thirteen-year-old Pepper Stark and
Little Ash (series)
#1 Perfect Match! #2 Friendship Fix-it! #3 Tennis Rush! #4 Goal Getter! Written by Ash Barty & Jasmine McCaughey Illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Barbara Braxton There would be few in Australia who do not recognise the name Ash Barty, who have not admired her
Great and Small
Written by Alison McLennan Illustrated by Connah Brecon Reviewed by Sandy Driessens When I first saw the cover of Great and Small I thought, “What an unusual image of a unicorn”. Not graceful, not majestic, quite unique. Now that I’ve read the story,
