Everglade 1: Rise of the Witch
By Kitty Black Illustrated by Rebecca Crane Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Australian author Kitty Black's debut middle grade novel. She is best known to date for her many picture books which include If I Were a Lion, Mr Bat Wants a
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
Finn and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by P.J. Reece with Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe The Pen is back! When Finn, a music loving, story writing 11-year-old orphan, discovers the pen he finds has strange magical powers, he can’t believe his luck. With the
Washpool
By Lisa Fuller Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Washpool is the second novel by Lisa Fuller, a Wulli Wulli woman and award-winning writer. Unlike the darker mysteries of her previous YA novel, Ghost Bird, Washpool is a surreal fantasy fit for any middle-grade
Moonlight and Dust
By Jasmin McGaughey Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Moonlight and Dust is the debut Young Adult novel from Torres Strait Islander author Jasmin McGaughey. Paired with the magic and drama of being a teenager in far north Queensland, this book is a beautiful
Mim and the Mother Muddle (The Travelling Bookshop, #6)
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Imagine being a young girl travelling the world in an old wooden caravan pulled by a horse that decides where they will go and which seems to have magical powers that mean
Celeste Express 1: The War of the Wurms
By Alexander Slater Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Alexander Slater is a British author, artist, animator and TikToker. His debut middle grade novel, Celeste Express: The War of the Wurms, is a highly illustrated cosmic fantasy. Nine-year-old Celeste is a spoiled, bratty princess who
Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing In the final installment of her exciting portal fantasy series, Samantha-Ellen Bound keeps the stakes high (and mythological creatures flowing) while exploring themes of courage, friendship, and growing up. Celeste and her little sister Esme have
Juniper’s Christmas
By Eoin Colfer Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Sophia Evans Here's a story for those who like to read about Christmas at any time of the year. Juniper’s Christmas follows protagonist Juniper Lane as she discovers the science behind the magic of
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest
By Liz Flanagan Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Liz Flanagan is the UK writer of the middle grade fantasy series Legends of the Sky, and the YA thriller Eden Summer. Into the Wild is the first in her new Wildsmith
The Hotel Balzaar
A Norendy Tale By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julia Sarda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan American author Kate DiCamillo can always be relied on to deliver an engrossing story that touches the heart. She is the author of numerous prize-winning titles such as
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
Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment
By Anna James Illustrated by David Wyatt Reviewed by Bethany Loveridge Chronicles of Whetherwhy is the newest middle grade offering from UK author Anna James. Readers may recognise James as the author of Pages and Co., the delightful series about a girl who
Inkheart 4: The Colour of Revenge
By Cornelia Funke Reviewed by Helen Gearing With over twenty-five million copies of her books sold worldwide, Cornelia Funke is one of Germany's most celebrated children's authors. ‘The Colour of Revenge,’ exquisitely translated into English by Anna Achmitt Funke (Cornelia Funke’s daughter)
Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time
By Salomey Doku Reviewed by Lucille Rose Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time is a heart-felt graphic novel that explores the lives of book-nerd Brielle and rugby jock Bear. Brielle is just your average fairytale lover, living her best life as
The Heart of the World (Isles of the Gods 2)
By Amie Kaufman Reviewed by Jamie Willis Amie Kaufman is the internationally bestselling author of twenty books, including the Illuminae Files and the Aurora Cycle series which she co-authored with Jay Kristoff and the These Broken Stars series which she co-wrote
The Secret of the Stone
By Kathryn Lefroy Reviewed by Helen Gearing Award winning screenwriter and author Kathryn Lefroy released her first middle grade novel, ‘Alex and the Alpacas save the World’ (shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award) in 2022. Her latest middle grade adventure,
Grace the Amazing
By Aleesah Darlinson Reviewed by Jamie Willis Aleesah Darlinson is an award-winning author of more than 65 books for children, including the Super Sloth series, the Space Kids series and the League of Llamas series. Aleesah has won or been shortlisted for
How to Free a Jinn
By Raidah Shah Idil Reviewed by Helen Gearing It is difficult to believe this book is a debut. Malay-Australian author Raidah Shah Idil brings Kuala Lumpur to vivid (humid!) life in this thrilling middle-grade adventure exploring themes of migration, family, and faith. ‘Mama
The Best Witch in Paris
By Lauren Crozier Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lauren Crozier won the 2023 Text Prize for her debut novel, a funny original adventure full of magic, found family, new friends, and self discovery with the catchy title of The Best Witch in Paris,
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1
By L M Wilkinson Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is an enjoyable fast paced adventure with an appealing central character created by L M Wilkinson who has written many other titles as Lili Wilkinson, including Deep is the Fen,
Xander and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe David Lawrence’s background in comedy writing for TV productions such as Comedy Inc. and Hamish & Andy has held him in good stead in the Middle Grade writing space, bringing humour and
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
By Claire Mabey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Mabey is very active in the New Zealand literary world - she is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis. She is also books editor at The Spinoff, book critic at RNZ
Deep is the Fen
By Lili Wilkinson Reviewed by Tehani Croft Wilkinson returns with a new cast and adventure to the world of her CBCA finalist A Hunger of Thorns in this richly drawn exploration of magic and masculinity, but where AHOT dug into themes of
Seven Wherewithal Way: Over the Mountains and Through the Desert
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing Samantha-Ellen Bound’s highly original debut novel, What the Raven Saw (shortlisted for the Adelaide Festival Literature Award), planted her firmly on the Australian kidlit scene in 2013 and her latest middle-grade series, Seven Wherewithal Way,
Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallow Book
By Lian Tanner Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lian is a prolific writer of outstanding children’s fantasy. Her books are enjoyable on many levels as she puts her always varied cast of characters in interesting conflicts, has a sense of
The Witches’ Council: Lily Halfmoon 2
By Xavier Bonet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second in the Lily Halfmoon graphic novel series which is about the magical adventures of a young girl, Lily, and her friends. Lily is a secret witch who meets other magical people in
Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
By Derek Keilty Illustrated by Magda Brol Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Derek Keilty is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young
The Grimmelings
By Rachael King Reviewed by Helen Gearing From the author of Red Rocks, winner of the Esther Glen Medal in 2013, The Grimmelings is a beautiful and eerie middle grade mystery which transports Gaelic folklore into the stunning New Zealand Aotearoa landscape. Thirteen-year-old
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
