Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • A River I Must Be – Kate Foster

    Harper Collins Australia July 2026 We have come to expect absolute quality from Kate Foster and, along with that, narratives that are so inclusive and authentic, usually arising from Kate’s own life experience. To be asked to contribute to classroom resources for this one was such a privilege. Being a verse novel almost took me…

  • Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees – Kate Foster

    Walker Books Imprint: Walker Books Australia February 2026 ISBN13:9781760659936 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Kate Foster has become such a leading light in middle grade novels featuring neuro-diverse characters. In this, she brings her own personal experience, so always there is such authenticity and such wonderful voice. With this new series she hooks into the…

  • Skippy Blackfeet – Rebecca Fraser. Illustrated by Jennifer Horn.

    Wombat Books March 2025 9781761111662 RRP: $19.99 When you’re in cyclone prep/watch mode as I was a few days ago (at time of writing), you really need to read ‘light’. Whiskers (aka Demon Spawn) who was none too thrilled about being kept completely confined to barracks for fear the wild winds would whisker her right…

  • Square Me, Round World: stories of growing up in a world not built for you – Chelsea Luker. Illustrated by Eliza Fricker.

    Connect Us Pyschology March 2024 ISBN: 978-0-646-88697-8 (Hardcover) RRP: $29.99 When asked if I was interested in reviewing this book, I was very pleased to accept. As many know, The Kid is one of those ‘Square Me’ people for whom we have been trying to find the right fit, it seems, almost all her life.…

  • Swimming on the Moon – Brian Conaghan

    Bloomsbury May 2023 ISBN 9781526653925 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 I had missed release info on this one, but as soon as I found out about it, I especially requested it (thank you Bloomsbury!) because I have been in love with Brian Conaghan’s writing since Cardboard Cowboys (do yourself a favour and read it!).…

  • Like a Charm – Elle McNicoll

    Walker Books Australia January 2024 ISBN13:9781913311278 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Imprint: Knights of The first Elle McNicoll book I read was A Kind of Spark which I enthusiastically reviewed back in November. I was super happy to get this one fall into my lap, so to speak, and gobbled it up just as quickly.…

  • Picture Book Month Bonus #4: A Kind of Spark – Elle McNicoll

    Walker Books Australia October 2023 ISBN13:9781913311056 Imprint: Knights Of Australia RRP:$18.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 Today I had a train trip to the city which I knew would be tiresome as it was not from my usual station, and therefore longer. As I always do, I took a book with me and I can tell you, I…