Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Midlands – Kate Gordon

    Riveted Press April 2026) Distributed by Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9780645869378 $17.99 Kate Gordon has certainly forged a following since her first foray into publication. Some of her titles I have reviewed, others I have read but not reviewed but I definitely know which ones have received the positives and enthusiasms. I particularly enjoyed Whalesong.…

  • I Know What You’re Hiding – Jack Heath

    Scholastic Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761526794 RRP: $17.99 My first introduction to Jack Heath and his amazing capacity for inventive and thrilling narrative was at the ASLA Conference Canberra [circa 2005 if I recall?]. I am quite sure his presentation was at The Shine Dome, which was great fun in itself but it’s been a…

  • Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans – Zoe Gaetjens

    Penguin Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761358012 Imprint: Penguin $19.99 Sometimes it’s just so refreshing to read something that’s different and this was one of those. It’s not that I don’t enjoy reading the YA cosy murder mysteries and so on, but when you get a book that gives you a slice of real life set in your…

  • It’s a Twin Thing – Kristin Darell. Illustrated by A. Yi.4

    Penguin Australia February 2026 ISBN: 978176135359 $14.99 I think it is hard to imagine what it would be like being a twin, especially an identical one, if you’re not one- or perhaps that’s just me. I have taught twins so identical that only one little freckle was the distinguishing feature between the two and they were…

  • Dream Goal: Kicking It Football Academy – Jess Black/Mario Gushiken

    Scholastic Australia March 20 9781761527623 $14.99 Whether you’re a soccer aficionado or not, or indeed, a Matildas fan or not, there is not a doubt that the success of the team over the past couple of years has given a huge boost to girls in soccer. In fact, soccer in general seems to be on…

  • Welcome back Little Ash!

    Two new titles in the delightful Ash Barty presents… Little Ash series – perfect timing for this week. These gorgeous little books for newly independent readers have been such a big hit! Harper Collins Australia by Ash Barty with Jasmin McGaughey, illustrated by Jade Goodwin ISBN: 9781460716533ISBN 10: 1460716531Imprint: HarperCollins RRP: $5.99 Little Ash is…

  • Sense and Second-degree Murder – Tirzah Price

    Harper Collins Australia November 2023 Book #2 Jane Austen Murder Mysteries ISBN: 9780062889850 ISBN 10: 0062889850 Imprint: HarperTeen $19.99 Now that I’ve read this one, I’d really like to get hold of #1 because this is a really top-notch, fresh take on detective stories. Of course, young ladies in Regency England did not pursue business, nor study chemistry…

  • The Christmas Wish (The Wish Sisters series) -Allison Rushby. Illustrated by Karen Blair.

    UQP October 2023 ISBN: 9780702266362 RRP: $12.99 The Wish Sisters series has already established a following among those young newly independent readers who respond well to everyday family life with an added twist of fantasy and humour. These stories have a flavour that strongly reminds me of E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It, in which…

  • Surf Riders Club 2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem – Mary Van Reyk

    Hachette Australia FEB 27, 2018 | 9780734417923 | RRP $12.99   As I predicted the first in this series has been very popular in our library – after all we are in the beautiful Sunshine Coast and surfing is a prime pastime! So I have no doubt at all that this second in the series will be just as…