Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Best Idea Yet: Willa and Woof # 8 – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia October 2024 Jacqueline Harvey continues to smash this series for younger readers with another exciting adventure from the ever-intrepid and resourceful Willa. Along with Tae and Woof, Willa has been officially helping at the Sunset Views retirement village next door. And the elderly residents are now also even more involved with Willa’s school…

  • Salt Runs Through – Mark Rafidi

    Hawkeye Books October 2024 ISBN: 9781923105218 ISBN-10: 1923105213 RRP: $26.99 I was so keen to review this, so thank you Hawkeye, and what a fabulous read it is! Set in Ulladulla, one of my favouritest places in the world [was always my dream retirement plan] at the time of the Currowan bushfire, such a dark time back…

  • Super Sloth Episode #2: Revenge of the Chick-oats- Aleesah Darlison. Illustrated by Cheri Hughes.

    Big Sky Publishing March 2024 ISBN: 9781923004948 RRP: $14.99 Romeo Fortez, aka the Super Sloth, continues his wacky and wild adventures in New York in this new offering from Aleesah Darlison. Newly independent readers, gaining confidence in their first exploration of easy chapter books, will once again enjoy this one. The machinations of Weird-Warp to gain…

  • This Book Kills – Ravena Guron

    Harper Collins Australia March 2024 I recently read someone ‘predicting’ that murder mystery for teens/YA was going to be a big new trend this year. I have news for them. It has been for quite a few years now as any of the devotees of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson or Robin Stevens will affirm –…

  • Super Sloth Episode #1 – The Shar-Wolf of New York City – Aleesah Darlison. Illustrated by Cheri Hughes.

    Big Sky Publishing April 2023 ISBN: 9781922896537 RRP: $14.99 What’s that I hear you say? This book was published in April last year, and I’m only just reviewing it now? Riddikulus! But, in my defense, I would point out that I only received yesterday – it’s been somewhat of a mission one way or another. Also…

  • Alex Rider: Nightshade Revenge #14 – Anthony Horowitz

    Walker Books September 2023 ISBN13:9781529517422 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 My fondness for Alex’ adventures is pretty well-known, and some people may remember my huge excitement with an exchange I had with the boy spy’s creator, Anthony himself, when I did my promo for Alex’ 20th anniversary. Well I remember our collective sadness when we…

  • Ruby and the Pen – David Lawrence. Illustrated by Cherie Dignam.

    EK Books August 2023 ISBN: 9781922539380 RRP: $16.99 I’m fairly sure that at one time or another, we’ve all wished we had a magic wand to just ‘swish and flick’ to remove any obstacles, problems or annoyances. Somehow, I’d never pictured it as a magic pen though! 12-year-old Ruby is an inveterate cartoon-sketching kid, who…

  • Scar Town – Tristan Bancks

    Penguin Australia August 2023 I’ve been a fan of Tristan’s work since back in the Mac Slater days, especially after attending one of his presentations on making book trailers (can’t even remember which event that was, it was so long ago!) and I’ve particularly loved his ‘crime/thriller’ books – like a series that’s not, if…

  • Some Shall Break – Ellie Marney

    Allen & Unwin June 2023 ISBN:9781761068010 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Of course, we know we are blessed in this country to have so many superlative creators of children’s literature, but how lucky are we when an internationally acclaimed author chooses our great nation as their home – and then continues with…

  • Kensy and Max #10: Time’s Up – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia Fasten your seatbelts for one last rollercoaster ride with the intrepid twin spies, in their most difficult and worrying adventure/mission yet! When their closest family members begin disappearing – apparently kidnapped – the twins become increasingly isolated and anxious. With no ransom notes or other explanations, the snatching of their relatives seems completely…