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,
Prometheus High: How to Make a Monster
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Sarah Custance How to Make a Monster is Australian author, Stuart Wilson’s, debut novel and the beginning of a series of books all about Prometheus High. The second book in the series The Books of the Dead
Rainbow Grey: Eye of the Storm
By Laura Ellen Anderson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Laura Ellen Anderson is the bestselling author/illustrator of the Amelia Fang books (of which there are now 8). Eye of the Storm is the second book in Anderson’s latest middle-grade series Rainbow Grey. 10-year-old Ray
The Snow Laundry, The Towers #1
By Mette Jakobsen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mette is a writer and playwright who teaches creative writing and has put her talents to good use in creating her first YA dystopian novel. In Ally she has created one of those indestructible and indomitable
Under the Moonlight
Written and illustrated by Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Margarite Igras This gentle and heart-warming picture book is a wonderfully endearing story about an unusual friendship, that provides comfort when afraid, and shows that strength is not dependent on size. Moose has been foraging
Rodney Forgets It
Written by Michael Gerard Bauer Illustrated by Chrissie Krebs Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michael Gerard Bauer is the multi-award-winning author of The Running Man and Don’t Call Me Ishmael . His debut picture book Rodney Loses It! won the 2018 CBCA Book of the
Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters: The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm
By Karen Foxlee and illustrated by Freda Chiu Reviewed by Sarah Custance Award-winning Australian author Karen Foxlee is the writer behind Dragon Skin, Lenny’s Book of Everything, A Most Magical Girl, and Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy. The Wrath of the Woolington
The Callers
By Kiah Thomas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There are so many middle grade stories where the protagonist has a special power that sets him/her apart from the rest of his family and community. The Callers has an interesting beginning because Quin who
A Best Friend for Bear
by Petr Horàcek Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Black Bear is feeling lonely, so he decides to look for a friend. Luckily, he meets Brown Bear, who is in the same situation! The bears decide to search for a friend together. They search
All the Little Tricky Things
By Karys McEwen Reviewed by Sarah Custance In her spare time, Australian author Karys McEwen is the president of the CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Victorian branch, a school librarian, and a columnist for Books+Publishing. All the Little Tricky Things is
Spotlight Please… it’s Stevie Louise
By Tanya Hennessy with illustrations from Leigh Hedstrom Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tanya Hennessy is a Jill of all trades with careers as a TV presenter, comedian, radio announcer, podcaster, and author. Spotlight Please is the second book after Drum Roll Please
Wombat Can’t Sing
By Katie Stewart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Author/illustrator Katie Stewart was born in the UK and moved to Australia when she was 9. Having lived on a farm for a great deal of her life, Stewart’s picture books are all about Aussie
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Misfortune
By Sophie Cleverly Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Sophie Cleverly is best known for her middle-grade series Scarlet and Ivy, which is comprised of 6 books. The Violet Veil Mysteries is Cleverly’s newest mystery series with A Case of Misfortune being
