Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • All Four Quarters of the Moon – Shirley Marr

    Penguin Australia July 2022 ISBN: 9781760899554 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 On the last day of her old life, Peijing makes moon cakes with Ah Ma for the Autumn Festival. The following Peijing and her family, Ba Ba, Ma Ma, little sister Biju and Ah Ma, move to Australia and their new lives begin. Moving house is always…

  • You Don’t Know What War Is -Yeva Skalietska

    The Diary of a Young Girl From Ukraine Bloomsbury November 2022 ISBN 9781526659934 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books $19.99 It is almost exactly a year ago that the Russia-Ukrainian war, which first started simmering in 2014, abruptly escalated with a full-scale invasion by Russia, in an unprecedented show of force against the smaller nation. The hostilities…

  • Little People, Big Dreams: Freddie Mercury – Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

    Quarto Publishing Group UK February 2023 ISBN: 9780711271067ISBN-10: 0711271062 RRP: $19.99 To be honest, I really don’t think this needs too much promotion because realistically the Little People, Big Dreams series has been such a phenomenal success that kiddos love, and teacher-librarians simply cannot keep on the shelves (about which we are all very pleased really!)…but it’s…

  • The Last Whale – Chris Vick

    Bloomsbury Australia November 2022 Imprint: Head of Zeus ISBN: 9781803281612 RRP: AU $26.99 NZ $29.99 WhtT This is a terrific read which combines a lot of very topical issues into a passionate call to arms in a vital environmental crisis. Spanning three generations the story of the Kristensen family and their close connection with the…

  • The Hidden Girl – Louise Bassett

    Walker Books Australia August 2022 Imprint:Walker Books Australia ISBN 9781760654788 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 It is clear to see why Louise Bassett‘s debut novel was short-listed for the Ampersand Prize. It is a tense and gripping mystery/thriller that will hook readers in from the first page. Drawing on her real-life experience working in the…

  • My Dream Time – Ash Barty

    Harper Collins Australia November 2022 ISBN: 9781460762820 ISBN 10: 1460762827 Imprint: HarperSports AU List Price: 49.99 AUD Like many others, I am a huge admirer of Ash -though I am no fan of tennis per se. This vibrant young woman has completely captivated the nation with her unfailing professionalism, humility, grace and low-key humour. She has become a stand-out…

  • Wanderer – Victor Kelleher

    Publisher: Eagle Books Imprint: Christmas Press August 2022 ISBN: 9780645378818 RRP: $19.99 If I were to use the vernacular, I’d say it’s been a long time between drinks Victor, but it was certainly worth it. Multi-award winner, Victor Kelleher, has crafted his first middle grade novel in fifteen years with this gripping and absorbing post-apocalyptic…

  • Tjitji Lullaby – Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding/Original artwork by Lisa Kennedy

    Harper Collins Australia November 2022 ISBN: 9780733342783 ISBN 10: 0733342787 Imprint: ABC Books AU List Price: 19.99 AUD Many readers will already be familiar with this favourite lullaby which features on ABC Kids and what a truly beautiful way to complete a day with your little peeps it is. Now you can also share this stunning board book with…

  • Reminder:February Give-Away!

    Don’t forget that Joanna Ho’s new YA novel The Silence that Binds Us is this month’s give-away! Just leave a comment on the review to be in the running.{Australia readers only, sorry}

  • A Walk in the Dark – Jane Godwin

    Hachette August 2022 ISBN 9780734420770 RRP $14.99 Jane Godwin has created another intense narrative for teen readers which really encapsulates how different a ‘coming-of-age’ might be for disparate individuals. The teenagers at the Otway Community School, which is not your regular school, are used to doing things differently but the ‘dropping’ is a new experience…