Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Cuckoo’s Flight – Wendy Orr

    Allen & Unwin March 2021 ISBN: 9781760524913 RRP: $16.99 Wendy Orr continues her stunning and intriguing sequence of books set in ancient Crete, now focused on Leira’s granddaughter, Clio. In this companion book to Swallow’s Dance and Dragonfly Song, daily life is in turmoil as the ever-increasing threat of invaders pervades the village and its…

  • KBR review: The Diary of William Shakespeare, Gentleman – Jackie French

    You can read my latest review for Kids Book Review here – another fabulous Jackie French historical fiction!

  • Clancy of the Overflow (The Matilda Saga #9) – Jackie French

    Harper Collins October 2019 ISBN: 9781460754771 ISBN 10: 1460754778 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 29.99 AUD This little hobby of mine has brought me so much richness. I’m able to read the newest titles from so many fabulous creators. But as you probably have realised I stand in complete awe of our maven of literature for children, teens…

  • The Silver Hand – Terry Deary

    Bloomsbury Australia July 2018ISBN: 9781472929488 Imprint: Bloomsbury Education Series: Flashbacks RRP $14.99 We all know Terry Deary’s expertise in bring history to life – witness the success of Horrible Histories. Now he turns his hand to a lesser explored part of history in the closing days of the First World War, examining this through the…

  • My Brigidista Year – Katherine Paterson

    Penguin Random House Candlewick  Press October 2017 RRp $16.99 ISBN 978-0-7636-9508-8 Winner of the Newbery Medal on two occasions, Katherine Paterson is a superb writer for children and now turns her hand to a historical narrative born out of personal interest. For many outside of America, including me, there is a scant knowledge of Castro’s…

  • Barney and the Secret of the French Spies – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9781460751305 ISBN 10: 1460751302 On Sale: 22/01/2018 List Price: 14.99 AUD Another gripping episode in the story of Barney and Elsie, providing readers with more insight into the early days of the European colony in Sydney and NSW and I’m so excited that next term I’m using Birrung the Secret Friend with my Year 4s…

  • Sweet Adversity – Sheryl Gwyther

       TBC Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd ISBN: 9781460755105 ISBN-10: 1460755103 RRP : $17.99   In her new historical novel Sheryl Gwyther takes  readers on a dramatic, sometimes tense and often poignant adventure to a grim time in Australia’s past – the Great Depression. While the Wall St collapse impacted all around the world, Australia suffered terribly…

  • The Diamond Horse – Stacey Gregg

    Harper Collins           ISBN: 9780008124403          ISBN 10: 000812440X          Imprint: HarperCollins – GB 01/05/2017          List Price: 14.99 AUD I’ve bought two of the previous books in this series for my library but not had the chance to read either so I was very glad to receive this one for review. Of course the horsey girls will love…

  • 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…

  • Yong : the journey of an unworthy son – Janeen Brian

    ISBN: 9781925126297 Imprint: WALKER BOOKS AUST Distributor: Harper Collins Distribution Services for Australia and New Zealand August 1, 2016 RRP $16.99 There have been many accounts of the Chinese coming to Australia in the gold rush era both for adults and children but this is the first I have read which explores the history of some of these…