Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Strong and Tough – Rico Hinson-King/Nick Sharratt

    Bloomsbury November 2022 ISBN 9781526648624 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $24.99 This is a super story which I’ve now shared with several classes between Year 1 and 3, and all the kiddos have really enjoyed it, even though it deals with some tough issues. What is even more amazing is that it is written by…

  • All Four Quarters of the Moon – Shirley Marr

    Penguin Australia July 2022 On the last day of her old life, Peijing makes moon cakes with Ah Ma for the Autumn Festival. The following Peijing and her family, Ba Ba, Ma Ma, little sister Biju and Ah Ma, move to Australia and their new lives begin. Moving house is always a time of upheaval…

  • You Don’t Know What War Is -Yeva Skalietska

    The Diary of a Young Girl From Ukraine Bloomsbury November 2022 ISBN 9781526659934 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books $19.99 It is almost exactly a year ago that the Russia-Ukrainian war, which first started simmering in 2014, abruptly escalated with a full-scale invasion by Russia, in an unprecedented show of force against the smaller nation. The hostilities…

  • The Last Whale – Chris Vick

    Bloomsbury Australia November 2022 Imprint: Head of Zeus ISBN: 9781803281612 RRP: AU $26.99 NZ $29.99 WhtT This is a terrific read which combines a lot of very topical issues into a passionate call to arms in a vital environmental crisis. Spanning three generations the story of the Kristensen family and their close connection with the…

  • Wanderer – Victor Kelleher

    Publisher: Eagle Books Imprint: Christmas Press August 2022 ISBN: 9780645378818 RRP: $19.99 If I were to use the vernacular, I’d say it’s been a long time between drinks Victor, but it was certainly worth it. Multi-award winner, Victor Kelleher, has crafted his first middle grade novel in fifteen years with this gripping and absorbing post-apocalyptic…

  • Tjitji Lullaby – Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding/Original artwork by Lisa Kennedy

    Harper Collins Australia November 2022 Many readers will already be familiar with this favourite lullaby which features on ABC Kids and what a truly beautiful way to complete a day with your little peeps it is. Now you can also share this stunning board book with even the tiniest of humans with its lyrical text,…

  • Reminder:February Give-Away!

    Don’t forget that Joanna Ho’s new YA novel The Silence that Binds Us is this month’s give-away! Just leave a comment on the review to be in the running.{Australia readers only, sorry}

  • A Walk in the Dark – Jane Godwin

    Hachette August 2022 ISBN 9780734420770 RRP $14.99 Jane Godwin has created another intense narrative for teen readers which really encapsulates how different a ‘coming-of-age’ might be for disparate individuals. The teenagers at the Otway Community School, which is not your regular school, are used to doing things differently but the ‘dropping’ is a new experience…

  • The Lorikeet Tree – Paul Jennings

    Allen & Unwin January 2023 ISBN:9781761180095 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children The Master returns, proving yet again that he can still enthral readers of all ages with the most marvellous narratives. It would seem that being almost an octogenarian is no bar whatsoever to remaining a writer as brilliant as the titular birds in…

  • The Marvellous Mirza Girls – Sheba Karim

    Harper Collins Australia March 2023 I have to say I really enjoyed this and read it over several nights last week but I’m also going to say upfront that despite the publisher’s suggested age rating of 13 years upwards DO NOT even think about it being available to anyone below your seniors – IMO. There…