Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • 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…

  • My Dream Time – Ash Barty

    Harper Collins Australia November 2022 Like many others, I am a huge admirer of Ash -though I am no fan of tennis per se. This vibrant young woman has completely captivated the nation with her unfailing professionalism, humility, grace and low-key humour. She has become a stand-out role model for our young people, not only…

  • Signs of Survival: a memoir of the Holocaust – Renee Hartman with Joshua M. Greene

    Scholastic November 2021 RRP: $28.25 I found out about this book via Mighty Girl about a week ago and was so pleased that not only had my local library acquired it very recently but that it was available. I read it last night in one sitting (just over 100 pages is all) and, trust me,…

  • Time of My Life – Myf Warhurst

    Hachette September 2022 ISBN: 9780733649189 RRP $34.99 I have no doubt that anyone in my personal orbit will confirm that I am a dyed-in-the-wool, fully card-carrying aficionado – nay, devotee! – of Spicks and Specks. Not only would I not miss an episode when is was screening but I regularly watch repeats, specials, have the…

  • Beijing Tai Tai – Tania McCartney

    Exisle Publishing 2012 ISBN: 9781921966156 RRP: $14.99 I first met Tania when she came to my Canberra school as our author guest around ten years ago, and she and I just clicked from the first moment we spoke to each other. Since then it has been my honour and pleasure to be her friend. I…

  • Sticky McStickStick: the Friend who Helped me Walk Again – Michael Rosen

    Walker Books February 2022 ISBN: 9781529502404Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $27.99New Zealand RRP: $29.99 When I first read about Michael Rosen’s near-death Covid episode, I found it incredibly moving as this man is one of my most admired creators of children’s literature. Then I read, and shared, his article thanking Sticky McStickStick, and knew for certain that this was a…

  • This Much is True – Miriam Margoyles

    Hachette September 2021 ISBN: 9781529379884 RRP: $49.99 Well, what a rambunctious and joyous ride this memoir has been for my holiday read of the past few days! Miriam did not really cross my radar until I saw her as the Spanish Infanta in Blackadder but that’s really as much as I for one needed –…

  • How Stella Learned to Talk – Christina Hunger

    Allen & Unwin May 2021 ISBN: 9781760878764 RRP: $32.99 Of course, we have known for years that animals can understand us and some have even been able to communicate with us in simple ways – think Koko and signing. It would be truly presumptuous for humans to imagine that we are the only species capable…

  • Tell Me Why for Young Adults – Archie Roach

    Simon & Schuster Australia (March 3, 2021) ISBN13: 9781760858865 I can say unreservedly that this is one of the most powerful memoirs I have read in recent years and for young adults this is a book worth promoting heavily. Archie’s life story is at times harrowing and confronting but also uplifting and inspirational. Taken away…

  • I am Sasha – Anita Selzer

    Penguin Random House April 2018 9790143785743 RRP $17.99 Some triumphant recounts of survival against all odds have come out of the horror of the Holocaust. I am always humbled in admiration for those who endured such deprivation, suffering, cruelty and pain with courage and dignity and who rose from the basest of treatment to resume…