Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • A Great Escape – Felice Arena

    Penguin Random House 9780143794042 March 2019 Puffin $16.99 I have never been a student of post-war modern history so my knowledge of the Cold War has always been minimal – sketchy even – but, as serendipity would have it, not one but two of my most recent audio ‘reads’ on my daily commute have referenced Read more

  • Fish Kid and the Lizard Ninja – Kylie Howarth

        Walker Books ISBN: 9781760650810 Imprint: Walker Books Australia: February 1, 2019 Australian RRP: $14.99 New Zealand RRP: $16.99 If you have readers who love a good fun story with a bit of interesting information plus a smattering of a conservation message this will be a huge hit.  The first in a new series Kylie Howarth has set up Read more

  • Love Lie Repeat – Catherine Greer

    Penguin 9780143791225 March 5, 2019 $19.99 I’ve mentioned before that I have in recent times been somewhat disenchanted with many of the YA novels that have come my way. There have been a few exceptions. This one, debut novel and all, is an absolute corker! Annie and her ‘island girls’ (the kind you take with Read more

  • Truly Tan #7: Baffled – Jen Storer. Illustrated by Claire Robertson

    Harper Collins ISBN: 9780733334139 ISBN-10: 073333413X Series: Truly Tan October 2018 Imprint: ABC Books RRP $16.99 Can I just say I truly love Tan? Yes sirree, I do! Since the first one I ever read I found this series very appealing and loads of fun. There is a real trend for detective/mystery/spy stories for younger readers but they don’t Read more

  • 52 Mondays – Anna Ciddor

      Allen & Unwin ISBN: 9781760523480 Imprint: A & U Children Pub Date: March 2019 RRP $14.99   It would appear that Anna Ciddor and I must be of the same vintage as this fictionalised account of a year of her childhood and the many references to commonplace 60s objects and events resonate so readily. Read more

  • Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables On the Lookout: #3 – Tim Harris

    9780143793144 February 5, 2019 Puffin RRP: $14.99   Even those who have not been privileged enough to sip Himalayan tea with Mr Bambuckle are completely taken with the adventures of his class 12B. The continual struggle to defeat the pressures put upon them by short-sighted school admin individuals and to foster each child blossoming into Read more