Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • A Message Through Time – Anna Ciddor

    Allen & Unwin April 2023 ISBN:9781761180125 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $18.99 For those who love time-slip adventures, and particularly, are keen on ancient history this is a desirable addition to your shelves. I loved The Boy Who Stepped Through Time and after book talking it to my ChocLit kiddos, it was on a regular…

  • Evie and Rhino – Neridah McMullin. Illustrated by Astred Hicks.

    Walker Books October 2022 ISBN13:9781760654207 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 It’s no secret to regular readers of this blog that I love historical fiction. I love it even more when it has its basis in fact, and doubly so if it is Australian history. Neridah McMullen stumbled upon a curious story from the past and,…

  • Tulips for Breakfast – Catherine Bauer

    Ford St Publishing October 2022 ISBN 9781922696199 RRP: $19.99 As always, I am grateful to have the opportunity to review a book that provides young people with a perspective of one the darkest times in human history, particularly in order to endeavour that such atrocities will never be repeated. In this novel’s dedication Catherine Bauer…

  • The Wearing of the Green – Claire Saxby

    Walker Books April 2022 ISBN: 9781760653583Imprint: Walker Books AustraliaAustralian RRP: $18.99New Zealand RRP: $21.99 It is certainly no secret that I love historical fiction, and colonial Australian history is a particular favourite of mine. I loved this exciting new narrative from Claire Saxby – whose prowess with picture books is already so well established. Set just two years before…

  • Katipo Joe Spycraft – Brian Falkner

    My review of this absolutely fabulous read is now live on Kids Book Review – don’t miss out, especially all of you with those blasé teens who need a good reading rev-up!! I loved this book and now I need to find time to read the earlier ones!

  • Ming & Flo Fight for the Future: (The Girls Who Changed the World #1) – Jackie French

    Harper Collins March 2022 A brand new series from Jackie French is always cause for great excitement, and this one is going to be a corker, given this fabulous start! We have all been awed by Jackie’s wealth of historical novels and her indomitable female characters over the years. Now younger readers have the opportunity…

  • Jacqueline: a soldier’s daugher – Pierre-Jacques Ober/Jules Ober

    Ford St Publishing October 2021 ISBN: 9781925804911 RRP: $34.99 Jacqueline is an only child and has always dreamed of having a sister. Little does she know she will find one in the most unexpected and, arguably, difficult circumstances ever. When the Second World War breaks out, Jacqueline’s life is turned topsy-turvy. Her father goes away…

  • When the War Came Home – Lesley Parr

    Bloomsbury Australia March 2022 ISBN: 9781526621009 Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing. Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 A year ago I reviewed my first Lesley Parr historical fiction and absolutely loved it – I book-talked it for weeks afterwards to my kiddos, many of whom also enjoyed it hugely. So I was most excited to receive this…

  • Night Ride into Danger – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia May 2021 ISBN: 9781460758939 ISBN 10: 1460758935 Imprint: HarperCollins AU RRP: $16.99 Again Jackie has crafted a narrative that combines fact and fiction to take readers back in time to colonial Australia where it was commonplace to meet diverse characters and perhaps even more commonplace not to know everything there is to know about those…

  • The Valley of Lost Secrets – Lesley Parr

    Bloomsbury Australia February 2021 ISBN: 9781526620521 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 Omg, I can’t tell you how much I loved this read during the week!! It completely reminds me of two much-loved favourites, Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden and Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian (both of which I own and have re-read many…