Just So Stories

Riveted Press

April 2026

Dist: Simon & Schuster

ISBN13: 9781764256728

RRP: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99

Brenton Cullen’s debut novel is a terrific read for middle-grade. This young man has been a keen writer since childhood and is now making his dream of writing professionally come true. And what a great start this is!

It’s very definitely a sweet and engaging read, and this is a word I use very deliberately for books of this ilk – wholesome. It’s that feel-good, warm-fuzzy uplifting narrative to which young readers always respond with alacrity. Actually it puts me in mind of some of our great middle-grade authors such as the wonderful Robin Klein and Morris Gleitzman. And, of course, as a grandmother with a very special relationship with my granddaughter, it certainly struck a chord with me personally.

We’ve likely all known a kid like Wren, or maybe even been that kid ourselves. He’s the outsider. The one who’s friendless and never seems to fit in anywhere. He’s quiet and his anxiety often causes him to be tongue-tied. His mum is caring and loving but, as a single mother lacking any support from the ex-husband, she’s always super busy and very tired, working two part-time jobs. His older brother works too. In real terms, Wren’s best – and only – friend, is his grandmother. When new girl Tamara arrives in town and Wren is detailed to be her ‘buddy’ he has a small hope they could be friends, but that’s soon dashed as well.

Wren is very sensitive and acutely aware of problems outside his own concerns. When his teacher introduces a new unit of work focused on government and the role of the prime minister, Wren is inspired to write his letter to the PM about the need to help our wildlife. But his letter goes unnoticed by the PM, as do others as he writes with more urgency when things start to go catastrophically wrong for his family.

Grandma has a stroke, and then a second stroke and with no nursing home in their small rural town, and no way of supporting her recovery at home, she must go to a nursing home 3 hours away in the city. Wren takes his worries and his upset and transforms them into action.

He not only keeps writing to the PM but comes up with ideas that will completely turn his small town, and its senior citizens around and in the process go a very long way to solving the very real problem of loneliness.

Brenton has achieved a really fine balance with his characterisations here. While characters have flaws, they are neatly balanced with their strengths and the voice is very authentic. I have no doubt that middle-grade readers will respond and connect to both the plot and the people very positively. With strong themes of empathy, friendship, loneliness, creative thinking and rising above difficulties it offers many beneficial talking points. It is a superb choice for a shared read especially if you are undertaking units around community, governance and taking action.

Tamlyn Teow once again executes a fab interpretation of key points in the novel with her cover art – always a winner. All in all, I think we can expect more great work to come from Brenton – an excellent read for middle-graders. It gets a 5 👵👵👵👵👵rating from me for readers from around Year 3 to Year 7. Keep your eye out for a Q&A coming up from Brenton soon.