Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Dragon Skin – Karen Foxlee

    Allen & Unwin September 2021 ISBN:9781760526108 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 One wouldn’t normally associate the outback mining town of Mt Isa with magic or dragons but Karen Foxlee’s newest novel for middle school readers makes this eminently plausible. How to save a dragon:1) Assemble equipment. Water, Weet-Bix, sugar, syringe, sticky tape, scissors.2) Believe…

  • The Wolf’s Howl: A Maven & Reeve Mystery Book 2 – A. L. Tait

    Penguin Australia August 2021 ISBN: 9781761041792 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $16.99 Maven and Reeve have accompanied their respective mistress and master – the Lady Cassandra and Sir Garrick – on an important visit to a remote Airl and his region. Upon their arrival they discover that the long-standing and respected cook has disappeared (and as it would be –…

  • Pax, Journey Home – Sara Pennypacker

    Harper Collins September 2021 ISBN: 9780008470289 ISBN 10: 0008470286 Imprint: HarperCollins GB List Price: 19.99 AUD When Peter joins the Water Warriors, a group determined to repair the ravages of the war, his primary intention it to work his way back to his old home, although he knows there is nothing left for him there. He desperately tries to…

  • What Zola Did on Sunday – Melina Marchetta

    Penguin September 2021 ISBN: 9781760895228 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 This series has just been pure joy from the very first word with each new story building on the warmth, friendship and community of Zola’s neighbourhood. Now that we have finished the entire week with Zola I feel quite sad but I’m hopeful that Melina might take Zola and…

  • Kensy and Max #8: High Voltage – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia September 2021 ISBN: 9781760898557 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Get ready for your kiddos to clamour to be the first – and then the next – to borrow Jacqueline Harvey’s newest book in the dynamite Kensy and Max series! This is another knock-out episode in the thrilling adventures of the twins and their family and friends –…

  • Grace’s Escape – Louise Park

    Simon & Schuster September 2021 Publisher: Berbay ISBN13: 9780645069631 RRP: AU$ 16.99 / NZ$ 19.99 Middle school readers fell in love with Grace’s adventures in her first book, Grace’s Secrets, and they will love this next instalment as Grace and her friend, Millie, continue to slip between past and present investigating mysteries and becoming acquainted…

  • Today’s Sun – Gregg Dreise

    Penguin Australia Published: 31 August 2021 ISBN: 9781760898335 Imprint: Picture Puffin RRP: $14.99 Gregg‘s name has been bandied around quite a bit in the past week in our library after I suggested engaging him for next year’s Book Week visiting author for our younger students. He is the most marvellously warm and engaging speaker who elicits such a fabulous…

  • Poppy, the Punk Turtle [Endangered Animals #2]- Aleesah Darlison. Illustrated by Mel Matthews

    Penguin Australia Published: 31 August 2021 ISBN: 9781760899233 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 The battle to save the Mary River has been building momentum for years now and the residents of the Mary Valley are resolute in their determination to save the river, the environment and the wildlife. Paramount in that wildlife is the incredible and utterly adorable Mary River…

  • The Travelling Bookshop #1: Mim and the Baffling Bully – Katrina Nannestad

    Harper Collins Australia July 2021 ISBN: 9781460713662 ISBN 10: 1460713664 Imprint: ABC Books List Price: 8.99 AUD I absolutely love this return to her whimsical, feel-good style from Katrina Nannestad, in this new and thoroughly delightful series. Although pitched at younger readers, I can absolutely see my older readers, who are keen fans of The Girl, the Dog, the…

  • Term 3 Displays

    We’ve really been upping our game with displays this year in my library we believe. But this term we’re really having some fun. As soon as I was aware of Josh Langley’s latest book in his Being You is Enough series (reviewed yesterday here) Being Wildly Kind and certainly seeing his bee accoutrements as he…