Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Boy on the Wooden Box – Leon Leyson

    Simon & Schuster Children’s UK | 256 pages | ISBN 9781471119682 | May 2014 | Grades 4 – 9 List Price AU$ 9.99 – See more here Subtitled ‘How the Impossible became Possible…on Schindler’s List’ which says it all, this is an amazing read. Most of us are no doubt familiar with the history of Read more

  • The First Third – Will Kostakis

    Penguin Australia Published:24/07/2013 Format:Paperback, 248 pages RRP:$17.99 price:AUD $17.99 ISBN-13:9780143568179 ISBN-10:0143568175 Yes, ok, I admit it. I may well be one of the last few teacher-librarians in Australia who hadn’t read The First Third – until the past couple of weeks.  I knew, from all the glowing recommendations and recognitions that it must be a Read more

  • Love and Other Perishable Items – Laura Buzo

    ISBN: 9781760112424 Australian Pub.: January 2015 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Imprint: A & U Children Subject: Young adult fiction Suitable for ages: 14-18 Originally this debut novel from Laura Buzo was published as ‘Good Oil’ and commended in the CBC Older Readers offerings of 2011.  It was further shortlisted in the 2011 Prime Minister’s Literary Read more

  • Holier than Thou – Laura Buzo

    Before I started this blog, I wrote this review of Laura Buzo’s second novel. I am reposting here as I’m about to review another of this terrific author’s books. Stay posted! Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781741759983. Recommended for Year 11/12 students. Wonderfully funny, heartbreakingly poignant, undeniably bursting with life, Laura Buzo’s second novel Holier Read more

  • Six lessons on young adults’ literature from a 13-year-old

      To publishers, there are two kinds of young readers: children, and young adults. But in that extremely fluid period between 12 and 18, it is probably necessary to further separate young young adult readers from the the now-legendary YA segment. Welcome, then, to YYA readers. Whose brains and bodies are both changing furiously almost Read more

  • Zafir [Through My Eyes] – Prue Mason

    ISBN: 9781743312544 Australian Pub.: February 2015 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Imprint: A & U Children Subject: Children’s fiction Suitable for ages: 11-14 RRP $15.99 A carefree happy boy in Syria, on the cusp of becoming a young man, finds himself and his family caught up in the tragedy of Syria’s civil war. Prue Mason has lived Read more

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