Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Shop at Hoopers Bend – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins       ISBN: 9781460753668       ISBN 10: 1460753666       Imprint: HarperCollins – AU      On Sale: 24/07/201      List Price: 16.99 AUD When you go to bed feeling a little tired and start reading a new book and then just keep reading it until you’re finished, you know it’s a terrific piece of writing. It’s been a while since…

  • Harry Potter 20 years on

    So last night I took time out from review books to re-read HP & the Philosopher’s Stone – my brand new beautiful Hufflepuff edition. Yes, I’m proud to be a Hufflepuff and yes I do mentally say ‘Alohomora’ every time I unlock a door. I also mentally release my Tonkinese cat patronus when the need…

  • The Cherry Pie Princess – Vivian French

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781406368970 May 1, 2017 Australian RRP: $14.99 Vivian French has put her skills of lively and fun storytelling to work in this new book which stirs up lots of elements from favourite fairy tales. Readers will find a cranky king, a hysterical queen, seven princesses (six nasty and one not), a mean governess, dwarves,…

  • Exchange of Heart – Darren Groth

    Penguin Random House 9780143781578 July 31, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s $19.99 If you were impressed with Groth’s 2014 novel Are You Seeing Me? you will be likewise taken with his new one and his ability to blend heartbreak and humour into one splendid story. Munro Maddux has taken a desperate step in his grief…

  • Wreck – Fleur Ferris PLUS Q&A with Fleur

    Penguin Random House 9780143784319 July 3, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $19.99   Bad things happen. Fight to make them right. Or let it wreck your life.   Once again Fleur Ferris has delivered a gripping and tension filled narrative which will have readers impatient to turn each page. Tamara Bennett is about to…

  • Third Witch – Jackie French

    Harper Collins       ISBN: 9780732298531       ISBN 10: 0732298539       Imprint: HarperCollins – AU 19/06/2017      RRP 16.99 AUD Macbeth has been my favourite Shakespearean play ever since studying it at school and being taken to a very atmospheric production for an excursion. Of course I knew that Shakespeare had totally fibbed about the whole thing but then he…

  • Laugh-out-loud Awesome Jokes for Kids – Rob Elliott

    ISBN: 9780062497963 ISBN 10: 0062497960 Imprint: HarperCollins  14/02/2017 List Price: 3.99 AUD   Just a quickie as there’s not a great deal to say about a joke book except – well it’s full of jokes which your kids will love and will, no doubt, drive you completely bonkers! Rob Elliott’s other collection have been best-sellers…

  • Truly Tan: Trapped! (Truly Tan, Book #6) – Jen Storer

    Harper Collins         ISBN: 9780733334122       ISBN 10: 0733334121       Imprint: ABC Books – AU 01/05/2017      RRP 16.99 AUD   Confession time: Truly Tan is up to number 6 and I’ve not read any. In my defence, they are never on the library shelves long enough to snaffle one and since I taught my students how to…

  • Pippa’s Island #1: The Beach Shack Café – Belinda Murrell

    Penguin Random House ISBN 9780143783671 July 3, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $14.99   Belinda Murrell, one of our best loved authors, has cracked it again with a splendid new series once again celebrating family, friendships, community spirit and girl power :).  Throw in a simply gorgeous tropical island setting and you have a…

  • Release – Patrick Ness

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781406331172 Imprint: Walker May 4, 2017 Australian RRP: $24.99 New Zealand RRP: $27.99 Oh my,oh my! Another one of my favourite writers! Ever since the Chaos Walking Trilogy first came to my notice I have been a fervent admirer of Patrick Ness’ writing and of course with the film of A Monster Calls soon to be…