Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Mushroom in the Sky – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia July 2025 If there’s anything more exciting than new Jackie French historical fiction, it’s getting your hands on it before anyone else and writing teaching notes for it. In light of the 80th Anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing coming up (and ergo, the end of the War in the Pacific), Jackie French…

  • Anna’s War – DJ Taylor

    Riveted Press Simon & Schuster July 2025 Aside from, of course, Anne Frank’s diary I knew very little about life for the Dutch during the war. I did glean some from Tulips for Breakfast when I read and reviewed it. But this astonishing debut novel from DJ Taylor has certainly opened my eyes to even…

  • The Year We Escaped – Suzanne Leal

    Harper Collins Australia June 2025 Suzanne Leal’s Running with Ivan was a book that took me to a very different part of the Second World War, and it was a privilege to write the teaching notes for it. I was lucky enough to be asked to write them for this new book as well. And…

  • Back to Business!! – 2025: 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II

    Thanks for your hanging in there while I took a little break. I got four readers drafted for the American publisher – let’s see how much editing will ensue! And I’ve picked up three new commissions for teaching notes in the space of two days (!!): one direct from one of our leading authors, and…

  • Blog Break

    It’s been a pretty full-on six months and aside from the writing I’m doing, there’s still a lot happening. The Kid starts a new course, family visiting, and the need to really sort the ever-increasing pile of review books. I’ve also been getting myself into a routine of fitness and health, finally spending ‘me time’.…

  • Goodnight Daddy – Gregg Dreise

    Scholastic Australia July 2025 This second title from Gregg Dreise for this year’s NAIDOC showcase, is essentially a complete departure from his usual style both textually and artistically. While it is still easy to recognise his deft hand, this is no updated Dreaming story with lots of very discernible First Nations art iconography. This is…

  • Indigenous Literacy Day

    Indigenous Literacy Day 2025 Indigenous Literacy Day is a celebration of First Nations stories, cultures and languages.  Indigenous Literacy Day 2025 will be held on Wednesday 3 September and will celebrate the theme Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations.  More information to come shortly. Organise your own event – book swaps have been my go-to,…

  • Beyond the Shore – Kirli Saunders. Illustrated by Mark Chester Harding.

    I had the great pleasure of listening to Kirli Saunders speak about her work, back in May so had special interest in seeing this new title. I was also particularly interested to see the illustrations from debut picture book illustrator, Mark Chester Harding. There is an elegant simplicity about both text and illos that has…

  • Prayer for a River -Uncle Glenn Loughrey and Andrew Kelly. Illustrated by Uncle Glenn Loughrey.

    Wild Dog Books October 2025 ISBN: 9781742036915 RRP: $24.99 This book is truly special. Completely aside from the Wiradjuri close connection [from my own perspective], this is a book that you will use multiple times with classes for multiple reasons, aside from its innate beauty, both visually and textually. Wiradjuri writer, speaker and artist, Uncle…

  • Baabinje’s Backyard – Ella Noah Bancroft & Bronwyn Bancroft

    Hardie Grant Australia Little Hare July 2025 ISBN:9781761214325 Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99 Imprint:Hardie Grant Children’s Publish My baabinje always had dirt under her fingernails. She would take me out to the backyard and say, ‘Sit, Marli. Observe and connect with the day.’ While I do miss the days when The Kid and I would garden, at least,…