Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • The Shop at Hoopers Bend – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins       ISBN: 9781460753668       ISBN 10: 1460753666       Imprint: HarperCollins – AU      On Sale: 24/07/201      List Price: 16.99 AUD When you go to bed feeling a little tired and start reading a new book and then just keep reading it until you’re finished, you know it’s a terrific piece of writing. It’s been a while since…

  • Wreck – Fleur Ferris PLUS Q&A with Fleur

    Penguin Random House 9780143784319 July 3, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $19.99   Bad things happen. Fight to make them right. Or let it wreck your life.   Once again Fleur Ferris has delivered a gripping and tension filled narrative which will have readers impatient to turn each page. Tamara Bennett is about to…

  • Bring Me the Head of Ivy Pocket – Caleb Krisp

    Allen & Unwin ISBN: 9781408858721 Publisher: Bloomsbury UK Imprint: Bloomsbury Child May 2017 RRP $14.99 After two totally madcap and thrilling Ivy Pocket adventures, Caleb Krisp completes the trilogy with an equally exciting conclusion. For those who have followed Ivy’s incredible and unbelievable exploits so far you may find this final instalment quite a lot…

  • The Fall – Tristan Bancks

    9780143783053 May 29, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP $16.99   Well, after much impatient anticipation I could just say ‘WOW’! But that’s hardly the review this new action-packed novel deserves so I shall continue. Tristan has a superlative ability to write everyday all-too-human imperfect characters and transform them into inspirational heroes. Sam has never…

  • The Secret Horses of Briar Hill – Megan Shepherd/Levi Penfold

    By Megan Shepherd Illustrated by Levi Pinfold   ISBN: 9781406367584 Imprint: Walker Distributor: Walker Australia-HEDS October 1, 2016 Australian RRP: $19.99 New Zealand RRP: $22.99 Just to continue on my ‘historical’ trail for the day, this is a simply beautiful novel which I read a few months ago and let slip down to the bottom of the pile (thank goodness for holiday…

  • The Turnkey – Allison Rushby

    ISBN: 9781925126921 Imprint: Walker Books Australia March 1, 2017 Australian RRP: $16.99 More mystery and history and another great read following my last post. Clearly a talent for beautiful writing and an interest in history runs in this family! In this gripping story the mystery and history are wrapped up in a spooky supernatural plot. Flossie Birdwhistle is…

  • Rose Ravensthorpe Investigates: Black Cats and Butlers – Janine Beacham

    Rose Ravensthorpe Investigates: Black Cats and Butlers – Janine Beacham MAR 28, 2017 | 9781510201286 | RRP $14.99 Hachette Au. Imprint: Little Brown Books for Children This has been one of my favourite reads of the past few weeks. Described as “The Clockwork Sparrow meets Downton Abbey”  it is really energetic and engaging novel. Rose is meant to be a properly…

  • Wormwood Mire: A Stella Montgomery Intrigue – Judith Rossell

    Harper Collins ISBN: 9780733333019 ISBN 10: 073333301X Imprint: ABC Books – AU On Sale: 10/24/2016 Pages: 288 List Price: 22.99 AUD Warning: This review will be chockers with fulsome praise and expressions of delight. From the point I took this book from its package two days ago I was in love with it. We know that you can indeed judge a…

  • Artie and the Grime Wave – Written and illustrated by Richard Roxburgh

    ISBN: 9781760292140 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Imprint: A & U Children October 2016 RRP $16.99 Ok so Richard Roxburgh is a talented actor and director in both theatre and screen and of course the star of Rake. Now he’s added writing and illustrating to his portfolio in a very successful way. I mean to say,…

  • The Eagle of Rome: A Lottie Lipton Adventure – Dan Metcalf

    Allen & Unwin Bloomsbury Publishing ISBN:9781472927583 Imprint: A&C Black Children’S September 2016 RRP $12.99 I have some little girls who will be most excited when this hits the shelves after the holidays. They loved the first one I brought along to the library so the rest of the series is on our ‘to buy’ list…