Just So Stories

Hachette Australia

Imprint: Lothian Books

March 2025

9780734423627 | RRP $16.99

My recent enjoyment of the newest Katya Balen book has been serendipitously echoed in Ashleigh Barton’s gorgeous new MG novel which has similar themes but definitely more mystery.

The two books written half a world apart (weirdly) have striking likenesses, though with a different take on them, which is great news for readers. Once they’ve enjoyed one, they will also love the other!

Bea(trice) Glass lives on a little island that’s jam-packed with tourists in the season and quiet otherwise. She loves living there, and she loves summer – not for the tourists, but because that’s when her favourite uncle, Byron, visits.

With parents always busy with work, Bea has a pretty solitary existence except for when she and Byron have lots of adventures and fun together. On the previous summer, Byron gave Bea a beautiful antique book about the island of Somewhere, just off their coast, promising that they would explore it next time he comes. But next summer has arrived, and Byron has not. In fact, he won’t ever arrive again.

Bea is lost and lonely and full of grief. But she begins to uncover clues left by Byron, and some of those lead her to a new friend, Arabella, who – astonishingly! – knows of the island of Somewhere as well.

Little by little, the two girls unravel the trail of clues, and set a course for an adventure to Somewhere. The newly forged friendship reveals much about each other, their losses, their fears and their dreams. And, at the same time, they also uncover the solution to an old mystery, and forge new bonds and futures, with others. It’s evocative and emotional, without being syrupy or sanctimonious. I predict that readers will not only fall in love with these characters, but with the setting itself. Here’s one to add to forthcoming ‘best of’ lists without a doubt. Readers from around Year 4 upwards will enjoy and discerning readers will adore it, as they dig deeper in the layers. It’s a briney 5 ⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵rating for this one.