Meet the Author: Suzanne Leal
By Mia Macrossan Suzanne Leal is the author of novels The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice Prize. Her novel for middle-grade readers, Running with Ivan, is on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notables List for Younger Readers and
Cleopatra: The Girl Who Would Be King (Heroes in the Ancient World, #1)
By Jackie French HarperCollins Classroom resource Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our national treasure Jackie French styles herself as 'author, ecologist, historian, dyslexic and honorary wombat'. She must be one of the most prolific writers on the planet creating stories for children and adults notable
Meet the Author: Julia Lawrinson
Meet Dr Julia Lawrinson who is many things, presenter, teacher and consultant, living on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar (Perth, Western Australia). She delivers a wide range of author talks and workshops for people of all ages, as well as presenting interactive
Meet the Shortlist! 2026 Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award
The waiting is over, here is the 2026 Book Links Children's Historical Fiction award shortlist - three very different but very exciting and engrossing reads. The Mushroom in the Sky by Jackie French Judges' comments: An exceptional and
A Flash in the Dust
By Meg Caddy Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey A Flash in the Dust is the fourth YA novel for Western Australian author Meg Caddy. With a handful of short- and longlistings for their first three novels, Weir, Devil’s Ballast, and Slipping the Noose,
2026 Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Long List
By Mia Macrossan Presenting the 2026 Book Links Children's Historical Fiction Award Longlist Congratulations to all those creators who made the list. The judges commented on the 'excellent research, engaging writing and the wide scope and variety of times, places and events '
On Gallant Wings
By Helen Edwards Reviewed by Helen Gearing In addition to ‘The Disappearing Circus,’ a recently published fantasy co-authored with Kate Gordon, South-Australian children’s author Helen Edwards has written four other middle grade novels challenging stereotypes and encouraging readers to consider gaps in
The Midlands
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Kate Gordon is the award winning author of not only Aster’s Good Right Things which won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in 2021, but also many other delightful middle grade novels. Her
Our History: A House Divided
By Clare Hallifax Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes November 11, 1975 is a date etched vividly into the minds of many Australians, not only because of Remembrance Day, but also because that was the infamous day upon which the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam,
In Flanders Field
By Norman Jorgensen & Brian Harrison-Lever Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd In Flanders Fields was published in 2002 and won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award in 2003. It has remained in print for 24 years and has now been re-released
The Sunbird Younger Readers’ Edition
Written by Sara Haddad Illustrated by Baraa Awoor Reviewed by Zewlan Moor I am old Give me back the stars of childhood That I may chart the homeward quest Back with the migrant birds, Back to your awaiting nest. Mahmoud Darwish This verse by Palestine’s most famous poet pre-empts
Meet the author: D J Taylor
Jenny Ruge talks to author DJ Taylor about her debut novel, Anna’s War. Thank you for taking the time to speak with StoryLinks, Di. Anna’s War is your first novel. How would you describe the experience of being a debut author, and
Lady’s Knight
Written by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner are a writing dream team. This dynamic duo, comprised of two exceptional science fiction and fantasy authors in their own right, successfully flex their creative skills
The Girl and the Ghost Book 2: Family Secrets
By Jacqueline Harvey, 2025 Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Following on from her first, wonderfully appealing novel in this new series aimed at older readers, the award-winning Jacqueline Harvey has written this intriguing sequel to The Girl and the Ghost and has continued
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Category
The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) is delighted to announce the shortlists for the Adult and the Children & Young Adult categories. SHORTLIST - CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULT CATEGORY The three talented authors, and their outstanding novels, selected in the Shortlist for
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Longlist
The eight talented authors, and their outstanding novels, selected in the Longlist for the 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Category are: Moonboy by Anna Ciddor (Allen & Unwin) On Gallant Wings by Helen Edwards (Riveted Press) The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal (HarperCollins Publishers) Our
Trapped! The Entombed Miner of Bonnie Vale
By Julia Lawrinson Reviewed by Helen Gearing Lawrinson is a prolific and well respected children’s author, publishing 17 books since winning the 2001 Western Australian Premier’s Award for her debut young adult novel Obsession. Her latest work, Trapped, is a gripping middle
The Mushroom in the Sky
Written by Jackie French Reviewed by Jenny Ruge The Mushroom in the Sky is the latest in a long line of exceptional and thought-provoking stories from multi-award winner Jackie French. It’s 1942 and sixteen-year-old orphan Harry Oswald, ‘Ossie’, plans to lie about his
The Silken Thread
Written and illustrated by Gabrielle Wang Reviewed by Jenny Ruge From the 2022-2023 Australian Children’s Laureate, Gabrielle Wang, comes another heartfelt tale of love and loss, friendship and family. The author of successful novels such as A Ghost in My Suitcase and
All the Beautiful Things wins 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
By Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Katrina Nannestad whose book All the Beautiful Things has won this year's Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. This is the third time that she has won this award having won in 2023 with Waiting for
R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins
By Lucie Stevens Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucie Stevens is children's author, freelance writer, editor and publishing consultant. R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins, about a young girl coping with an unruly ghost, is her debut middle grade novel. Nine year old Albertine's cosy
Shortlist 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
It is with great pleasure that we announce the shortlist for the 2025 Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. Here are three outstanding works of children's historical fiction, where research and knowledge underpin exciting and relatable stories guaranteed to
Longlist 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
The aim of this award is to increase the understanding and appreciation of history by children. These seven titles are outstanding works of historical fiction for children, demonstrating literary merit, historical accuracy, and appeal to young readers. Topics range widely but
Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most beloved and awarded authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15. One of the
The Lost Book of Magic
By Amelia Mellor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia's debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne's real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history and fantasy and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She
All the Beautiful Things
By Katrina Nannestad with illustrations by Martina Heiducek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katrina Nannestad is one of Australia's foremost writers of children's historical fiction. She has won the Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction twice with We Are Wolves, 2021 and Waiting
Marion and the Forty Thieves
By Sarah Luke Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah is a historian and writer who writes non-fiction histories for adults and historical fiction for children. Marion and the Forty Thieves is her first middle grade novel and introduces the reader to life on
2024 ARA HISTORICAL NOVEL PRIZE CYA LONGLISTS ANNOUNCED!
CYA LONGLIST The longlisted titles for the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize – Children and Young Adult Category are: Secret Sparrowby Jackie French (HarperCollins Publishers) The Detective’s Guide to Paris by Nicki Greenberg (Affirm Press) Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim (Allen & Unwin) Spies
Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age (The Girls Who Changed the World #4)
By Jackie French Reviewed by Jamie Willis Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most popular authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children's Laureate for 2014/15 and the 2015 Senior Australian
Jack’s Island
By Norman Jorgensen Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jack’s Island is an award-winning book by Norman Jorgensen, which was first released in 2008, and has been re-released with a very appealing new cover. The story begins with Jack and his family travelling by
