Star of Deltora
By Emily Rodda A & U Children 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily Rodda is a well known and much loved Australian author of award winning books such as the Rowan of Rin series, His Name Was Walter, Eliza Vanda’s Button Box, The Shop at Hooper’s Bend and Landovel.
The Smuggler’s Curse
By Norman Jorgensen Fremantle Press 2026 Teaching Notes Reviewed by Helen Gearing Norman Jorgensen, whose 2008 debut middle-grade novel ‘Jack’s Island’ and 2011 best-selling picture book ‘The Last Viking’ (with illustrator James Foley) were both highly awarded, has crafted another edge-of-your-seat, high-action adventure in
Through the Darkening Sea*
By Claire Saxby & Peter Cheong Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Claire Saxby is the master of lyrical non-fiction picture books. She has published many, including Emu, Koala, Kookaburra, Secrets of the Saltmarsh, and Volcano, across multiple publishers, collaborating with many of Australia’s
Cloudspotting
By Samantha Tidy & Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Sandy Driessens ‘When the light changes through my bedroom window, it’s time.’ It’s time for the sun to appear on the horizon and the adventure to begin, for a little girl and her father. This
The Giant and the Sea
by Trent Jamieson illustrated Rovina Cai reviewed by Barbara Braxton There was once a giant who stood on the shore of the sea. She looked out across the water the water, because that is what she had promised to do long, long ago. On
