Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Spark – M.G. Leonard

    Walker Books September 2022 Imprint:Walker Books ISBN13:9781406389388 Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 There is something quintessentially English about a group of children who are into bird-watching I think, especially when combined with all the other great things going on in this series. A diverse cast of characters, an appealing setting where the kids can roam…

  • Miss Penny Dreadful & the Midnight Kittens – Allison Rushby

    Walker Books Australia August 2022 ISBN: 9781760654030 RRP: $15.99 Allison Rushby‘s delightful new book brings together a host of currently popular themes but presented for your lower primary readers. In the vein of Enola Holmes or Rose Ravensthorpe, this tricky mystery combines all the charm of Victorian quirkiness with strong female characters who possess both boldness…

  • The Silver Sea – Belinda Murrell

    Penguin Australia August 2022 ISBN: 9781761045554 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Young Sophie is still living with her grandmother while her mum and brother are busy with Archie’s summer camp for young geniuses. During her summer sojourn Sophie has discovered, by complete accident, her Nanna’s connection with beautiful Tuscia and the Rossellana family. After one grand adventure, Sophie has…

  • Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast – Sue Whiting

    Walker Books Australia March 2022 ISBN: 9781760653590Imprint: Walker Books AustraliaAustralian RRP: $15.99 This is quite simply, really good fun! For some reason, it put me very much in mind of the old Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons (which those elderly people such as myself will recall) especially with the almost absurd characters and situations. Pearly Woe is the epitome…

  • Seven Days- Fleur Ferris

    Penguin Australia May 2022 ISBN: 9781761043352 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 I really do love a good countdown action/adventure and Fleur Ferris has brought her masterful manipulation of tension into a fantastic new narrative for middle school readers. In similar fashion to her hugely successful and popular suspenseful stories for YA kiddos, this one follows a cracking pace from…

  • 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!

  • The Chime Seekers – Ross Montgomery

    Walker Books Australia November 2021 ISBN: 9781406391190Imprint: Walker RRP: $18.99 Au , $21.99 NZ Some of us of a certain vintage have enduring memories of Jareth, The Goblin King (aka the divine David Bowie) taking away baby Toby when Sarah becomes so frustrated with her little brother that she wishes him gone. Ross Montgomery has combined that…

  • Pony – R. J. Palacio

    My review of this utterly fabulous book is now live at Kids Book Review – check it out and make sure you get a copy – you won’t be sorry!

  • Banjo Tully – Justin D’Ath

    Ford St Publishing September 2021 ISBN: 9781925804904 RRP: $17.95 It was a hair salon day and as usual, I took a book with me – one I’d only unpacked from its box this morning – although I have some others still half-read, because I always love Justin’s writing. And this was no exception – I…

  • The Wolf’s Howl: A Maven & Reeve Mystery Book 2 – A. L. Tait

    Penguin Australia August 2021 ISBN: 9781761041792 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $16.99 Maven and Reeve have accompanied their respective mistress and master – the Lady Cassandra and Sir Garrick – on an important visit to a remote Airl and his region. Upon their arrival they discover that the long-standing and respected cook has disappeared (and as it would be –…