Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Running in Circles – Shivaun Plozza

    UQP April 2026 ISBN 9780702271045 RRP: $17.99 It’s quite amazing, even after fourteen years of doing this reviewing thing, how there will be batches of books all with really similar themes for similar ages. It’s like some pervasive mist in the air inspired so many authors to independently come up with quite similar storylines. And… Read more

  • The Diamonds of Tilly Devine – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia June 2026 No secret to any of you who are regular readers here, I am a Jackie French fan. Whether it’s her picture books, her middle grade novels, non-fiction, or adult fiction – you name it, it’s a given that I will love it. In particular it is her historical fiction that… Read more

  • Little Lunch for Littles

    Walker Books Australia August 2026 Australia RRP:$15.99 New Zealand RRP:$17.99 When The Kid was a little ‘un, and honestly – whether she was around or not – the Little Lunch series on ABC was always entertaining. I defy anyone who has taught primary kids to not identify repeatedly with the crew of diverse children as… Read more

  • Review from School Library Journal – April 2026

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  • Why We Love Footy: an Aussie Rules History in 50 Great Moments – Martin Blake

    Allen & Unwin August 2026 ISBN:9781761472930 Publisher:Allen & Unwin Imprint:Allen & Unwin RRP: $34.99 I freely admit as always that I’m a league girl, always have been and always will be, but that’s not to say I’m entirely ignorant nor uninterested in the aerial ping-pong version [ok, so I had to get that in somewhere!].… Read more

  • Animal Force – Cerise Madsen

    New South Books Publisher: Midnight Sun 9781922858740/July 2026/AUD$17.99, NZD$19.99 This would be a useful book for a middle-grade serial read to ‘read-around-your-topic’ in environmental themes especially. Although the publisher notes suggest 6 years +, personally I feel it is more suited to older and more discerning readers who would be better able to absorb some… Read more

Archived Reviews