-
Where the River Takes Us – Lesley Parr
Bloomsbury Australia April 2023 ISBN 9781526647771 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 I can now confirm for sure that Lesley Parr has become one of my favourite MG authors. This is the third of hers I have read – avidly – and it’s not just the fact that they are set in Wales (home to…
-
Well, That Was Unexpected – Jesse Q. Sutanto
Harper Collins Australia November 2022 In actual fact, this is hands down the most enjoyable YA novel I’ve read in a long time. Coincidentally, it is one of a posse of recent YAs that are Asian-focused in one way or another. Even more interesting perhaps is that it’s the second with an Indonesian setting I’ve…
-
Christmas Goodies
Zola and the Christmas Lights – Melina Marchetta/Deb Hudson Penguin Australia October 2022 For the entirety of the delightful What Zola did On… series, Melina Marchetta consistently delivered such beautiful and meaningful messages to young readers around diversity, community, empathy, friendship and family, all without once becoming preachy or tedious. It truly was joyful to…
-
Two Puggles – Michelle Guzel and Andrew Plant
Ford St October 2022 ISBN 9781922696168 RRP $16.95 Over the years there have been numerous books about adoption or foster families which, of course, are terrific for both children to whom that applies as well as those who can gain an understanding of the differences in families. This is a really adorable ‘switched at birth’…
-
End of the holidays
Well funsters, normally round about now, at the tail end of the second week of spring break, I’d be gnashing my teeth about the holidays coming to an end. But – oh my lordy! – the complete and utter bliss of NOT being fully employed (without the usual stress of that situation). The Kid and…
-
The Colourful World of Poppy Starr Olsen: A novel inspired by the life of the Australian Olympic skateboarder – Poppy Starr Olsen & Jess Black
Penguin Australia From the opening pages this is just a joyful experience and one that I binged in just two sessions. I’ll be honest here. I didn’t know of Poppy (I don’t watch or follow the Olympics) and I know – well knew – zilch about skateboarding so I didn’t really know what to expect.…
-
The Book of Wondrous Possibilities – Deborah Abela
Penguin Australia 2 August 2022 ISBN: 9781761044021 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 From the opening paragraph this brilliant book simply sparkles with magic and adventure – unsurprisingly, for those of us who have followed Deborah Abela’s writing career for years! My first encounter with this joyful creator was when, as the organiser of an extravaganza showcase at Marrickville Library,…
-
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…
-
Scorpion Falls – Martin Chatterton
Ford St Publishing August 2022 ISBN: 978781922696090 RRP: $18.99 Honestly, my first thought as I really got underway with this new offering from Martin Chatterton was: the Stranger Things fans are going to LOVE this! Lo and behold when I visited Martin’s website before beginning to write this review, he makes the same comment. Always…
Just So Stories 
You must be logged in to post a comment.