Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

July 2025

• ISBN: 9781460765081
• ISBN 10: 1460765087
• Imprint: HarperCollins AU
• RRP: $15.99

Last year I had the pleasure of not just reviewing the first in this series – Jy Goes for Gold – but also writing teaching notes for it. Back then I predicted that this would prove a real winner with the kiddos and that’s true enough.

Don’t think for one minute that, despite the season being done now, your footy fans are not going to want to keep their interest in their chosen code piqued, whether still playing it out on the school oval, watching re-runs of top matches, following their club’s news, and reading about the game and the players.

The real edge this series has is the First Nations connection as authors Carl and Hakea skilfully embed cultural and geographical perspectives into their narrative, as well as basing their story on actual family members and their mob. I love that about these stories, and I believe that young readers will also pick up on this personal connection, which will undoubtedly also resonate with them, especially the jarjums.

Krstel relates her growing up in the Kimberley, playing footy with her cousins but the worry that as she gets older she won’t have the same opportunities as the boys. But there’s also basketball, like the amazing Patty Mills, motorbikes bogged down in mud and mustering along with the adults, and the big adventure of going all the way to Melbourne to boarding school. That’s an experience that not so many of our readers will know – going right across from the country from one of the most remote areas to the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Finally there is the joy of hearing her name announced in the draft for Melbourne (Demons) VFLW – what a thrill! and how exciting to have family and like-family there with her to hear her name announced!

Krstel now plays for the West Coast WL and there will no doubt be many of your hopeful girls who both know her name and long to emulate her. We know that these are exactly the right type of book to both engage and inspire young readers, whether First Nations or not, but for those not, they also provide some insight and understanding of First Nations culture.

With the dynamic fonts, short and sharp chapters and Samantha Campbell’s illustrations they are accessible and inviting for even reluctant readers. Get the boots on and get them into the game of reading with this one (and the previous).

I know I’m looking forward to more [despite being a NRL girl!]. A full on 5 🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉 rating for kiddos from around 8 years upwards.