Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Crossing Ebenezer Creek – Tonya Bolden

    Bloomsbury Australia Published: 01-08-2018 Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781681196992 Imprint: Bloomsbury YA RRP $14.99   The wonderful thing about well-written, well-researched historical fiction is that you don’t just learn new information but that you can immerse yourself in the period and gain a far greater understanding than dry textbooks will offer. I openly admit that I…

  • For Tweens and Teens – a selection

    You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything: The Number One Bestseller – Matthew Syed Hachette APR 24, 2018 | 9781526361158 | RRP $19.99   This positive and empowering guide, by bestselling mindset author Matthew Syed, will help boys and girls build resilience, fulfil their potential and become successful, happy, awesome adults. I…

  • Bonkers About Beetles – Owen Davey

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781911171485 Imprint: NB – Flying Eye Release Date: August 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $27.99 New Zealand RRP: $29.99 I love Flying Eye books (I may have mentioned that once or twice) I love Owen Davey’s wonderful non-fiction series which brings a world of nature, science and history to kids in a remarkably attractive way. My own girl,…

  • Collecting Sunshine – Rachel Flynn & Tamsin Ainslie

    Penguin Random House 9780143785187 September 3, 2018 Imprint: Viking   RRP: $22.99 Like all small children Mabel and Robert love to collect things on their walks (ahh yes, the days when I had to take snap lock bags with me for Small’s treasures) and they pick up all kinds of marvellous finds: beautiful stones, interesting…

  • Inheritance – Carole Wilkinson

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781760650360 Imprint: Black Dog Books Release Date: September 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $17.99 New Zealand RRP: $19.99 Carole Wilkinson has created a superbly plausible narrative which realistically weaves historic realism from Australia’s past from the perspective of both First Australians and early white settlers putting an ugly side to the beginnings of our modern nation in full…

  • The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare – Shannon Hale & Dean Hale. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

    Penguin Random House Hardcover | $14.99 Published by Candlewick Sep 25, 2018 ISBN 9780763688271 Without a doubt this series is one of the most popular with our newly independent readers. There is rarely a copy left in the series box and also sold out rapidly at our recent book fair.  They are not just the right…

  • Monster Party – The Children from Rawa with Alison Lester & Jane Godwin

    Magabala Books September 2018 ISBN:9781925360554 RRP: $17.99 Described by the publisher as an ‘explosion of fun and pure joy’ this is a delightfully riotous and exuberant picture book full of colour and humour. The Rawa Community School is on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert and the children there helped to write the text…

  • The Adventures of Catvinkle – Elliot Perlman

    Penguin Random House 9780143786368 October 1, 2018 Puffin RRP $19.99   Well regarded author of adult books Elliot Perlman has ably proven that he can turn his hand just as easily to writing for children with this first book for younger readers. It is delightfully whimsical and carries a literary flavour of its Amsterdam setting…

  • Help Around the House – Morris Gleitzman

    Penguin Random House 9780143793236 September 3, 2018 Penguin   RRP $16.99 Classic Morris Gleitzman! And pure unadulterated joy! In these parlous times when politicians behave without regard for those they are sworn to represent this could not be more timely or indeed, pointed. Ludo is a helper. A year after losing his mother his desire…

  • Pages & Co : Tilly and the  Bookwanderers –Anna James

      Harper Collins ISBN: 9780008229887 ISBN 10: 0008229880 Imprint: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks On Sale: 18/09/2018 List Price: 9.99 AUD Ever since Tilly’s mum disappeared when she was tiny, her home has been with her Grandma and Grandpa in their house/bookshop Pages & Co. Inevitably, given that circumstance, Tilly is the ultimate bookworm and constantly loses herself deep in a book, particularly her…