Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • It’s Not You, It’s Me – Gabrielle Williams

    Allen & Unwin August 2021 ISBN: 9781760526078P Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $19.99 Yes, that tag line – Freaky Friday meets Pretty Little Liars – really hits the mark. This is one helluva time-travel that not just the life-swap but the cities/continents/decades swap as well! And what a ride it is, especially when there’s…

  • Pumpkin – Julie Murphy

    Harper Collins Australia July 2021 ISBN: 9780063134867 ISBN 10: 0063134861 Imprint: HarperCollins US List Price: 19.99 AUD Seriously, you could hardly get a better book to read during (another) lockdown than this deliciously funny and heart-warming companion novel to Dumplin’. I can guarantee your readers will fall in love with Waylon Brewer and the accompanying cast of characters in…

  • Echo in the Memory – Cameron Nunn

    Walker Books June 2021 ISBN: 9781760653118Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $16.99New Zealand RRP: $19.99 Beautifully timed for NAIDOC Week this new YA novel, which explores the convergence of two periods of Australian history with the common thread being the one family name, will both shock and illuminate many readers regarding some of the darkest moments in our history…

  • Cardboard Cowboys – Brian Conaghan

    Bloomsbury May 2021 ISBN: 9781526628602 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Publishing RRP: $12.99 12 year old Lenny is deeply unhappy. For many kids, their first year in high school is full of wonder and adventure with new experiences and friendships, but for Lenny it represents misery and isolation, as he relentlessly bullied and fat-shamed by other kids…

  • A Weekend with Oscar – Robyn Bavati

    Walker Books July 2021 ISBN: 9781760653040Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $16.99New Zealand RRP: $19.99 I had already ordered this for our library collection based on the publisher’s promo so receiving it as a review copy was especially welcome and I am not disappointed. This is a beautiful funny and poignant coming-of-age story that will enchant your lower secondary…

  • The Prison Healer – Lynette Noni

    Penguin Australia Published: 30 March 2021 ISBN: 9781760897512 Imprint: Penguin Format: Trade Paperback Pages: 416 RRP: $24.99 I’m going to have a lot of my secondary students clamoring for this one. They are huge fans of Noni’s previous books, both boys and girls and this is another intriguing dark fantasy (with some dystopian touches) thriller for them to enjoy. Set in…

  • KBR Review: Listen, Layla

    You can read my review of the second book about indomitable Layla on Kids Book Review now.

  • The Cousins – Karen M. McManus

    Penguin Australia December 2020 ISBN: 9780241376942 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $17.99 Attention all of you who loved One of Us is Lying! This YA thriller will get you and your readers in from the first page. I literally ate it up over just a couple of nights. Three cousins all the same age who barely know each other, having…

  • The Quiet at the End of the World – Lauren James

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781406375510 Imprint: Walker March 2019 Australian RRP: $16.99 New Zealand RRP: $18.99 To be honest, I’m totally not a sci-fi person but this novel had me completely engrossed from the first page. London: 2109. Population: 300. Sixteen year old Lowrie and seventeen year old Shen are the only remaining ‘children’ on Earth after a mystery virus,…

  • Just Breathe – Andrew Daddo

    Penguin Australia 9780143573623 July 30, 2018 RRP: $17.99 It must be hard to be so multi-talented *wry face*.  Andrew Daddo has certainly proven his ability as not only a media figure but a very able and engaging writer. I’ve not been enthralled in recent times by a lot of the YA coming my way –…