Just So Stories

Sometimes there is a slew of similar looking books, or titles, or even narratives or content. We all know there are trends in fashion, food, music, movies and even books – but it does sometimes seem that at times various authors, even across continents, simultaneously get the same thought. Other times it’s just seems to be – oh this is a great formula, let’s replicate it. Now, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing necessarily but it does somehow make commentary difficult and repetitive. So, in this instance, I’m bunching these three titles together.

Notice anything already?

The Secrets and Scandals of Melody Moss -Helen Dallimore

Penguin Australia

March 2026

ISBN: 9781761354199

RRP: $16.99

The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks – Katie Kirby

Penguin Australia

April 2026

• ISBN: 9780241803455
• Imprint: Puffin
• RRP: $16.99

The Embarassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks – Fiona Harris

Affirm Kids/Simon & Schuster

March 2026

ISBN13: 9781923135642

LIST PRICE: AU$ 16.99

Funnily enough, the Melody Moss one was first to arrive and upon seeing it and then reading it, I was saying to myself – it’s like Lottie Brooks. And – lo and behold! – Lottie #9 turned up shortly after. And then was closely followed by Gracie Sparks.

Look, I’ll be honest as always. They are entertaining fluff for tweens – all very much alike in format, tone, characters, humour and peccadillos albeit with some serious concepts buried within the comedic setting and situations. All three are epistolary combining diary entries, letters and texts mostly. And each will have something to offer your young readers, for the most part girls, who are looking for light reading that is suited to their age, temperaments and common circumstances.

I can say with great certainty that your girls, particularly around Year 4 to Year 6 and possibly your ‘younger’ year 7s will eat them up quickly and will happily read all three and all their series mates. I have been telling my readers for the past 25 years that sometimes we all want the ‘lolly’ book i.e., something that’s fun and frivolous requiring no intense thought, just some laughs and move on. For that reason alone, they are all definitely worth adding to your collection and I give them collectively a 4 📓📓📓📓rating.