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
Our Infinite Fates
By Laura Steven Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey In an unnamed land, Our Infinite Fates begins centuries ago and introduces a young bride and groom as their wedding is brought to a dramatic and violent end. Jumping between times and tales, Evelyn and Arden
A Box Full of Murders
Written by Janice Hallet Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Ava’s and Luke’s parents have separated. Ava lives with Mum and Luke lives with Dad, but when Luke finds a Top Secret box in his dad’s attic, they start an adventure together, via SMS,
The Monsters Next Door
By Kate Alice Marshall Reviewed by Helen Gearing Marshall is a trusted voice in the American horror landscape, writing suspenseful books for children and adults. Her previous middle grade titles include the Secrets of Eden Eld trilogy, which follows a trio of
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
11 Ruby Road 1925
By Charlotte Barkla Reviewed by Margaret McKay Lowndes Charlotte Barkla has structured her historical fiction series around a single address, 11 Ruby Road, and 1925 is the second instalment, the first having been set in 1900. In this story, the first family
Little Bones
By Sandy Bigna Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ‘Night slides in with its warm-scented breath, swallowing up the shrinking sun and gently flicking its star-lights on. This lyrical debut verse novel immediately reaches out to touch your heart with its original imagery and evocative language. It
Chickenpox
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Remy Lai is the much awarded Brisbane based author/illustrator of the popular graphic novels Pawcasso, Ghost Book and Read At Your Own Risk and more. She is adept at showing the mixed emotions of teens
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
The fingerprint code
By R. A. Stephens Illustrated by Em Hammond Reviewed by Renata Clarke R. A. Stephens runs publishing houses Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, and also writes and edits individually both for their own company and for other publishers. They are primarily interested in
Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury If you are already a fan of R.A Spratt’s humorous Nanny Piggins series, then you will love reading Piggins’ origin story. If this is your first foray into the world of Nanny Piggins, then
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
Gentlest of Wild Things
By Sarah Underwood Reviewed by Lucille Rose Gentlest of Wild Things is a fantasy novel set amidst the perils of love, danger and most importantly, Desire. In Ancient Greece, the island of Zakynthos has been overcome with the power of Desire,
We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Garth Nix has been writing carefully crafted, witty and original science fiction and fantasy for many years. YA books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series; SF novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic, Newt’s
My Brother, Finch
Written by Kate Gordon Reviewed by Jamie Willis Kate Gordon is an award-winning author of children’s and young adult fiction. Her novel Aster’s Good, Right Things won the CBCA Book of the Year for younger readers in 2021, and in 2023, Xavier in
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
By Carla Fitzgerald Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carla wrote the picture book Keeping Up with the Dachshunds and How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five, reviewed in StoryLinks, another funny and heartwarming story also aimed at middle grade readers. In How to
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
Mim and the Vicious Vendetta (The Travelling Bookshop, #5)
By Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, perhaps best known for her multi award-winning historical fiction (Waiting for the Storks; Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief; and We are Wolves), has teamed up with beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini
Our Family Dragon A Lunar New Year Story
By Rebecca Lim & Cai Tse Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca Lim is the much awarded author of Tiger Daughter ( CBCA 2022 Book of the Year, Older Readers winner), and Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky reviewed in StoryLinks. Cai Tse
Silver Linings
By Katrina Nannestad Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, beloved best-selling author of twenty-three novels for children, brings early 1950s regional New South Wales (with its hopes for a brighter postwar future embodied in Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming coronation) to life in her
The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish; The Pet Wish
By Allison Rushby Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Helen Gearing A baby sister who can make wishes come true. A mischievous imp who likes to twist wishes and make them go wrong. A nosy neighbour. A very public sports carnival and fundraiser.
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky
By Rebecca Lim Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca is the award winning author of Tiger Daughter ( CBCA 2022 Book of the Year, Older Readers winner) which is about Wen Zhou the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to
When I’m Big
By Karen Blair Reviewed by Margarite Igras Karen Blair is an award-winning Australian illustrator and author of children’s picture books. Here she has taken a new and humorous twist on welcoming a new baby to the family and more so, to the
A Message Through Time
Written by Anna Ciddor Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Anna Ciddor has written around sixty non-fiction and middle grade titles, including 52 Mondays and The Family With Two Front Doors. A Message Through Time is a standalone companion to her previous release, The
This Savage Song: Monsters of Verity Book 1
By V. E. Schwab Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is the first instalment in the popular Monsters of Verity series, first published in 2016, now repackaged in a handsome hardback collector's edition. V.E Schwab wrote the award-winning Shades of Magic series, Vicious
The Lorikeet Tree
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Paul Jennings is a household name in the Australian children's book world. He has published numerous books, including Round the Twist which was made into a successful TV series. In 1995 he was made a
The Fowl Twins: Get What They Deserve
By Eoin Colfer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Eoin Colfer is the mastermind behind the bestselling Artemis Fowl series and has now written a spinoff series about Artemis’ younger twin brothers. Get What They Deserve is the third book in The Fowl Twins
Scram! (Clarice Bean)
The True Story of How We Got Our Dog Written and illustrated by Lauren Child Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Who doesn't love Clarice Bean? Lauren Child started writing this hugely successful series way back in 1999. The first was the picture book Clarice
Piano Fingers
By Caroline Magerl Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caroline Magerl burst upon the children's literature world in 2001 when she won the the CBCA Crichton Award which aims to recognise and encourage new talent in the field of Australian children’s book illustration with
