Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • 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…

  • Toto: the Dog-gone Amazing Story of the Wizard of Oz – Michael Morpurgo. Illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark

    Harper Collins           ISBN: 9780008134594           ISBN 10: 0008134596          Imprint: HarperCollins – GB          On Sale: 21/08/2017          List Price: 19.99 AUD When I had my sixth birthday my older sister gave me an illustrated copy of The Wizard of Oz and I immediately fell in love with the story. This poor book (which I still have) was re-read…

  • The High Note (Girl vs Boy Band #2) – Harmony Jones

    Allen & Unwin ISBN:9781408878279 Publisher:Bloomsbury UK Imprint:Bloomsbury Child May 2017 RRP: $14.99   Popstar fans who enjoyed the first instalment of this series will love this one even more. The Brit boys are back in California ready to rock and roll with their band Abbey Road. Following the departure of Aiden, who was just not…

  • Transitional Problems

    When you are ‘moving’ between schools/libraries after 18 months and have to pack up all your resources and ‘props’. And the stuffed full car is unpacked and two new stacks of boxes etc in the garage – not to mention a ‘whomping willow’ which will become a Magic Faraway Tree parked next to 3 garbage…

  • New School!!

    I am wildly excited to announce that I will be starting at a new school and library next term. And not only that but a school where the Principal fully supports and values the work of the library and teacher-librarian. I am stoked!! Stay posted for mega excitement! In the meantime, I have some downtime…

  • The Eureka Key (Secrets of the Seven) – Sarah L. Thomson

    Bloomsbury Published: 04-04-2017 ISBN: 9781681190617 Imprint: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Series: Secrets of the Seven If you’ve ever watched Nic Cage in the National Treasure movies (and who hasn’t?) I would liken this to those – except for youngsters. While I think our Australian readers will be at a slight disadvantage not knowing a great deal if…

  • The World’s Worst Children #2 – David Walliams/illustrated by Tony Ross

    Harper-Collins Australia June 2017 ISBN: 9780008259679 ISBN 10: 0008259674 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB RRP  $22.99 AUD One thing is an absolute given in our library. David Walliams’ books are rarely re-shelved. They are snatched up from the returns trolley with the speed of a striking mongoose or tussled over in the actual returns line up. Walliams has a…

  • Goodbye Mr Hitler – Jackie French

    Harper Collins – AU May 2017       ISBN: 9781460751299 RRP: 16.99 AUD In a modern world that often seems to be filled with hate and prejudices and refusal to acknowledge basic human rights, we could easily fall into a despondency that could be soul-destroying. Many of us in daily contact with children will have observed that they…