Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Zeroes – Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti

        ISBN:97819252665 Publisher:Allen & Unwin Imprint:A & U Children Pub Date:October 2015 Page Extent:496 RRP $19.99   When three highly respected authors collaborate on a novel, you might expect something extraordinary and Zeroes delivers just that. This is a slam-dunk in-your-face novel that brings something quite out of the box to readers. Meet six…

  • The Stars at Oktober Bend – Glenda Millard

    ISBN:9781743315897 Publisher:Allen & Unwin Imprint:A & U Children Pub Date:February 2016 Age: 13 – 17   I am always in awe of those multi-talented writers who can turn their hand to such a wide range of text types. From picture books to novels for younger readers to such as this for young adults, Glenda Millard…

  • Hello, Goodbye & Everything in Between – Jennifer E. Smith

    Hachette Australia ISBN:9781472235565 Publication date:26 Apr 2016 Page count:256 Imprint:Headline RRP $19.99 If, like me, you have often struggled to find a romance for tweens without graphic or inappropriate content, this is one to put on your list. From the author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First and The Geography of You and…

  • Rich & Rare – edited by Paul Collins

    ISBN: 978-1-925272-11-6 Publication date: October 2015 Extent: 512 pages Format: B Format paperback Price: AUD$24.95 Category: Genre fiction and poetry Age guide: 11+   This is a sumptuous and luscious smorgasbord feast for any reader, gathering delicacies supplied from Australia’s best storytellers. Our ‘young and free’ creators include: Michael Gerard Bauer, Gary Crew, Justin D’Ath,…

  • The Boy with Two Lives – Abbas Kazerooni

    ISBN:9781743314838 Publisher:Allen & Unwin Imprint:A & U Children Pub Date:September 2015 RRP: $15.99   Many of you will resource units of work/inquiry examining the lives of inspirational people through biographies and memoirs. This book and the previous memoir are perfect, timely and contemporary for readers from Middle Primary upwards. This second instalment in Kazerooni’s powerful…

  • Nightbird – Alice Hoffman

      Simon & Schuster Children’s UK | 208 pages | ISBN 9781471124211 | March 2015 List Price AU$ 16.99 NZ$ 18.99 Yes this one had remained incognito on the shelf for a long time and really I am sorry I did not read it sooner. If you have girls aged around 12 years and up…

  • Footy Dreaming – Michael Hyde

    Ford St Publishing May 2015 186 p. RRP: $17.99 ISBN: 9781925000993 Like so many other youngsters around the country, Noah and Ben live for their footy. They are both completely focussed on being the best players they can be in their provincial footy teams but also share a common goal: to be selected for the…