Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe



  • The Mushroom in the Sky – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia July 2025 ISBN: 9781460766057 ISBN 10: 1460766059 Imprint: HarperCollins AU RRP: $17.99 If there’s anything more exciting than new Jackie French historical fiction, it’s getting your hands on it before anyone else and writing teaching notes for it. In light of the 80th Anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing coming up (and ergo, the end of… Read more

  • Anna’s War – DJ Taylor

    Riveted Press Simon & Schuster July 2025 ISBN13: 9781763526075 RRP: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 Aside from, of course, Anne Frank’s diary I knew very little about life for the Dutch during the war. I did glean some from Tulips for Breakfast when I read and reviewed it. But this astonishing debut novel from DJ… Read more

  • The Year We Escaped – Suzanne Leal

    Harper Collins Australia June 2025 ISBN: 9781460765906 ISBN 10: 1460765907 Imprint: HarperCollins AU List Price: 17.99 AUD Suzanne Leal’s Running with Ivan was a book that took me to a very different part of the Second World War, and it was a privilege to write the teaching notes for it. I was lucky enough to be asked to write… Read more

  • Back to Business!! – 2025: 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II

    Thanks for your hanging in there while I took a little break. I got four readers drafted for the American publisher – let’s see how much editing will ensue! And I’ve picked up three new commissions for teaching notes in the space of two days (!!): one direct from one of our leading authors, and… Read more

  • Blog Break

    It’s been a pretty full-on six months and aside from the writing I’m doing, there’s still a lot happening. The Kid starts a new course, family visiting, and the need to really sort the ever-increasing pile of review books. I’ve also been getting myself into a routine of fitness and health, finally spending ‘me time’.… Read more

  • Goodnight Daddy – Gregg Dreise

    Scholastic Australia July 2025 ISBN : 9781761524639 Imprint : Scholastic Press RRP: $19.99 This second title from Gregg Dreise for this year’s NAIDOC showcase, is essentially a complete departure from his usual style both textually and artistically. While it is still easy to recognise his deft hand, this is no updated Dreaming story with lots of very discernible First… Read more