Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Remembered Soldier

    Anjet Daanje (trans. David McKay) Scribe Publications June 2025 ISBN (13):9781761380136 RRP:$37.99 Ok, so I haven’t actually read this one yet but putting in the deets for you all to finish off this week of tributes for the 80th Anniversary. This is a mammoth book – almost 600 pages – and I just haven’t had…

  • Ming and Maria Explore the Universe: The Girls Who Changed the World #5 – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia Once again, I was delighted to be asked to write the notes for this last title in what has been an inspiring series for our young people. It was particularly special as Jackie and I had had some conversations about this particular ‘mighty girl’ of history, and how much Maria Mitchell contributed…

  • Picture Book Month Extra! : Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia December 2024 Regular readers here know what a fan I am of Jackie’s work, particularly her historical fiction. She so deftly weaves fact and fiction creating a portal back in time for young readers to become bystanders and witnesses to some of the most significant events, especially in Australian history. And because…

  • The Mud Puddlers – Pamela Rushby

    Walker Books Australia April 2023 ISBN13:9781760655808 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 This ticks all my boxes in one fell swoop and I absolutely loved it. Mudlarking has long been a source of fascination for me and I would truly have loved the opportunity to explore it for myself. Now Pamela Rushby has combined this iconic…

  • A Message Through Time – Anna Ciddor

    Allen & Unwin April 2023 ISBN:9781761180125 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $18.99 For those who love time-slip adventures, and particularly, are keen on ancient history this is a desirable addition to your shelves. I loved The Boy Who Stepped Through Time and after book talking it to my ChocLit kiddos, it was on a regular…

  • 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!

  • People of Abandoned Character – Clare Whitfield

    Harper Collins Australia December 2020 ISBN: 9781838932749 ISBN 10: 1838932747 Imprint: Head of Zeus – GB List Price: 32.99 AUD Imagine the man you married was a murderer, in fact, one of the most infamous murderers in history. Susannah Chapman fears she is married to the monster who came to be known as Jack the Ripper. Step into Victorian…

  • The Austen Girls – Lucy Worsley

      Bloomsbury May 2020-03-14 ISBN 9781526605450 RRP: $15.99 Au $17.99 NZ If you enjoy BBC docos you are no doubt already familiar with Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces,  who is such an excellent presenter but also a witty and skilled writer. This is the fourth historical novel by this author (and I…