Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Happy Father’s Day!

    Whether you are celebrating a dad, step-dad, grandfather or the person who takes on the important role of a father figure – there are so many beautiful books which will add joy to your family’s or class’ marking of this special day. Here are some fabulous titles that will fit the bill perfectly! I love…

  • Never and Forever: Wizards of Once #4 – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia SEP 22, 2020 | 9781444956627 | RRP $19.99 While it’s always sad when something wonderful, like this magical series, comes to an end it’s also exciting when the conclusion is so supremely satisfying. Just as she did with the magnificent How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell has combined exciting magic, with dangerous and thrilling adventure…

  • The Silver Arrow – Lev Grossman

    Bloomsbury September 2020 ISBN 9781526629418 RRP: AU $14.99 NZ $16.99 In my opinion it’s a rare middle-age novel that can transcend reading interests, age groups and genders but this is most definitely one that can. Certainly your middle grade readers will love it but it is just as appealing for older readers, including adults, as…

  • The Enigma Game – Elizabeth Wein

    Allen & Unwin August 2020 ISBN: 9781526601650 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 Elizabeth Wein continues her stellar historical novel series with another look at a fascinating aspect of World War II, this time weaving a wonderful tale around the famous Enigma code. This exciting story revolves around three very diverse main characters: Louisa, orphan…

  • A batch of board books

    My Best Friend is a Dragon – Rachael McLean Penguin Australia August 2020 ISBN: 9780593093993 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $13.99 The first of this batch of books for the tiniest reads is this delightful and gloriously vibrant lift-the-flap story. What could be better than having a magical dragon as your best friend? This little boy romps through the pages…

  • The Fire Never Goes Out: a memoir in pictures – Noelle Stevenson

    Harper Collins Australia April 2020 ISBN: 9780062278272 ISBN 10: 0062278274 Imprint: HarperCollins – US List Price: 34.99 AUD I have to be quite frank here. I’d never heard of Noelle nor her best-selling graphic novel Nimona which as attracted a legion fans around the world. My bad :'(. This is an insight into Noelle’s life between teen and now…

  • The Pony Question – Jackie Merchant

    Walker Books July 2020 ISBN: 9781760651640Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $16.99New Zealand RRP: $18.99 I’m not really a horse-y person and now that the Kid is no longer riding neither is she so horse-themed books are a little bit of uncharted territory for me. However many years ago Ruby Ferguson’s Jill’s Gymkana (#1 Jill’s Ponies) was a very…

  • Aussie Kids series – Books #5 & #6

    Penguin Australia July 2020 Get your little newly independent readers excited when you add these two new volumes to the Aussie Kids books! This is just a truly charming series as children take a vicarious trip around our beautiful country, learning a little about kids from other spaces, cultures and backgrounds as well as information…

  • The Wild Way Home – Sophie Kirtley

    Bloomsbury Australia 15th September 2020 ISBN: 9781526616289 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books This is one impressive debut novel with an unusual and interesting time-slip which will take readers into a rarely explored world of the past. Charlie Merriam and his parents have been eagerly awaiting the birth of little Dara and when the baby arrives just…

  • Don’t Read the Comments – Eric Smith

    Harper Collins Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9781489295705 ISBN 10: 1489295704 Imprint: HQ Young Adult – US List Price: 19.99 AUD Ok, I admit it, I’d kind of let this one slide because really my scan of the blurb made me think – oh, gaming online – so not my kind of thing. WRONG! Because, yes it does revolve around…