Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • We Were Wolves – Jason Cockcroft

    Walker Books Australia June 2021 ISBN: 9781839130571Imprint: Andersen PressAustralian RRP: $26.99New Zealand RRP: $28.99 There are some seriously fabulous YA books coming out of the UK recently – and I’m not trying to take anything away from our local authors at all – it’s just that every single UK title I’ve read, probably in the…

  • Dragon Skin – Karen Foxlee

    Allen & Unwin September 2021 ISBN:9781760526108 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 One wouldn’t normally associate the outback mining town of Mt Isa with magic or dragons but Karen Foxlee’s newest novel for middle school readers makes this eminently plausible. How to save a dragon:1) Assemble equipment. Water, Weet-Bix, sugar, syringe, sticky tape, scissors.2) Believe…

  • 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…

  • 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze – Clayton Zane Comber

    Harper Collins Australia June 2021 ISBN: 9781460759455 ISBN 10: 1460759451 Imprint: HarperCollins AU List Price: 19.99 AUD Age: From 14 years Believe me when I tell you that you will fall in love with Xander, and be sad to leave him at the end of this beautiful feel-good coming-of-age novel. Xander loves to make lists and #1 on his list…

  • Turtle Boy on KBR

    You can read my second review for KBR now…….. Turtle Boy – M Evan Wolkenstein – don’t miss it because this is a truly wonderful book for middle schoolers!

  • Finding Francois – Gus Gordon

    Penguin Australia July 2020 ISBN: 9780143794141 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 In over eighty books Gus Gordon has demonstrated time and again his talent at producing the type of quality books we love to share with our young readers. This beautiful picture book is heart-warming and endearing as two little characters, both lonely and longing for real friendship, discover…

  • The Year the Maps Changed – Danielle Binks

    Hachette Australia APR 28, 2020 | 9780734419712 | RRP $17.99 What a glorious book with so much richness as it reveals not only a tragic episode in recent history but explores the pain but beautiful bonding in a family and community. 1999 in Sorrento is a difficult time for Fred (Winifred). Her mother died when she was very little…

  • How To Make Friends with the Dark – Kathleen Glasgow

    Harper Collins Australia April 2020 ISBN: 9781460751060 ISBN 10: 146075106X Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 19.99 AUD   Here is what happens when your mother dies. My timing for reading this could have been better really. It was the 5th anniversary of losing my girl this past week, a scant fortnight before  Miss K’s 10th birthday. So at…

  • The Space We’re In – Katya Balen

    Bloomsbury November 2019 ISBN: 9781526610942 RRP $14.99 What an absolutely stunning debut novel from Katya Balen! Simultaneously heart-breaking and uplifting Balen examines the difficulties faced by a child living with a special needs sibling. Frank is ten years old. He loves soccer and space, he loves secret codes and playing in the ‘Wilderness’ with his two…