Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Startalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson: Young Readers Edition

    Penguin Random House Paperback | $17.99 Published by National Geographic Children’s Books Mar 20, 2018 Middle Grade (10 and up)| ISBN 9781426330872 Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist/author/TV and radio personality, has been a popular identity for decades and many young readers will know his special blend of pop culture, science and comedy particularly from the National Geographic.…

  • My Name is Not Peaseblossom – Jackie French

    Harper Collins June 2019 ISBN: 9781460754788 ISBN 10: 1460754786 List Price: 16.99 AUD     So as I chuckled my way through this (and truthfully at times snort-laughed) I thought to myself ‘I reckon Shakespeare would entirely approve of this retell’. After all, he did write to entertain or move people but he also wrote to subtly convey…

  • The Puffin Book of Bedtime Stories

      Penguin 9780143796732 July 2, 2019 Puffin RRP $29.99 If you are looking for a special gift for a little reader – and it’s never too early to think about Christmas, let’s face it! – this would be the perfect fit. Eight of Australia’s best- loved picture books from some of our best and brightest…

  • Malory Towers: New Class at Malory Towers: Four brand-new Malory Towers 

      Enid Blyton, Narinder Dhami, Patrice Lawrence, Lucy Mangan, Rebecca Westcott Smith Hachette JUN 25, 2019 | 9781444951004 | RRP $14.99 If there’s anything Enid Blyton readers love more than EB stories – it’s more of them! The prolific writer who created so many memorable characters and series has left a legacy that continues to resonate with new generations of young readers. Now…

  • Malamander – Thomas Taylor

    Walker Books Australia   ISBN: 9781406386288 May 2019 Australian RRP: $17.99 New Zealand RRP: $19.99 Ok, so I’m a bit slow getting to this one (cue: moving house etc) but it is one not to be missed. Two orphans are brought together in the Grand Nautilus Hotel in a slightly odd town known as Eerie-on-Sea. Herbert Lemon is…

  • Pirate Boy of Sydney Town – Jackie French

    Harper Collins ISBN: 9781460754795 ISBN 10: 1460754794 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU May 2019 RRP: 16.99 AUD Just a few weeks ago I reviewed the third in Jackie’s Miss Lily series and now it’s another superb historical fiction, plus I have two others on my review shelf. I begin to wonder when the woman sleeps! Her prodigious output, the diversity…

  • Alice-Miranda Keeps the Beat (#18) – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House 9780143786030 June 4, 2019 Puffin   RRP $16.99 Jacqueline Harvey knows exactly how to reach those high notes with her readers and the overwhelming popularity of her series, and certainly Alice-Miranda, is proof of that. The tiny girl with the big heart always plays her part in helping others, redressing injustices and…

  • The Lily in the Snow: Book #3 Miss Lily – Jackie French

    Harper Collins March 2019 ISBN: 9781460753842 ISBN 10: 1460753844 RRP 29.99 AUD We devotees of Miss Lily have been waiting fairly impatiently for her return and I was thrilled when my copy arrived and immediately started immersing myself once more into the world of Sophie, Nigel and Miss Lily. However packing and moving house followed up by three…

  • Detention – Tristan Bancks

        Penguin Random House Imprint: Puffin July 2019 ISBN: 9780143799 RRP: $16.99   Just wow! Once again Tristan has crafted a sensational narrative with high-impact tension and thought-provoking themes which will keep readers eagerly turning pages. Two young people are both, each in their own way, prisoners of sad circumstances. Sima, with her family,…

  • Nullaboo Hullabaloo – Fleur Ferris

    Penguin 9780143787143 May 7, 2019 Puffin   RRP: $14.99   We could all use some more fairy dust in our lives. Whether it’s because of the gloom and doom of daily news reports or if (like me packing up house) because of some personal issues. I maintain that a liberal sprinkling of fairy sparkle would…