Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowitz

    Walker Books Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781406388589 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $16.99 By chance, when I found out that the new 20th anniversary edition of Stormbreaker was being released I was ‘re-reading’ it on audio during my commute and relishing the pure adrenalin rush that is the hallmark of the series. Frankly I’d be happy to read Anthony’s…

  • Freefall:  Kensy & Max #5 –– Jacqueline Harvey

    Published: 3 March 2020 ISBN: 9780143796985 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99   Hold onto your seats for another major adrenalin rush in this new top-notch adventure of twins Kensy and Max, young agents-in-training! In this latest episode there is a continuing thread from the previous book in which a thoroughly evil villain was unmasked. The outwardly charming Dash Chalmers has…

  • League of Llamas – Aleesah Darlison

    Visit Aleesah’s webpage here   Penguin March 2020 RRP: $9.99   Well… Aleesah’s new series is bound to be a hit with junior/middle primary readers with galloping (I’m not sure llamas actually gallop but still…) plots, high octane humour and loads of adventure. I knew that James Bond is currently having a contemporised make over but…

  • The Peski Kids: Near Extinction #4 – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9780143796367 Imprint: Puffin Format: Paperback RRP: $16.99 Readers may rest assured that this latest episode in The Peski Kids once again passes the snort-laugh test with flying colours. There is something truly inspired about these completely kooky characters. This new instalment opens with the reluctant wedding of Dad and the intimidating Ingrid but is…

  • Kensy and Max #4: Out of Sight – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin September 2019 ISBN: 9780143791928 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Just as life for the intrepid and resilient twins seems to be settling with both their parents and their grandparents restored to the family, the London house habitable again and being back at school with their friends, things start hotting up.  Their upcoming first Pharos review is doubtless a…

  • Alex Rider #12 : Secret Weapon – Anthony Horowitz

    Walker Books April 2019 ISBN: 9781406387476 Imprint: Walker Australian RRP: $16.99 New Zealand RRP: $18.99   I’m pretty certain that I’m not the only one who’s so excited that Anthony has his Alex mojo back J – and with the talk of the forthcoming movie there are bound to be many more readers added to the fold of fans.…

  • The Peski Kids #1: The Mystery of the Squashed Cockroach – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Random House 9780143788812 July 30, 2018 Puffin   $16.99   There were many sad faces in my library when I reported that the Friday Barnes series had come to an end (including mine) but there was the consolation that R. A. Spratt was working on a new series. And here it is! And it’s…

  • Kensy and Max #2: Disappearing Act – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House 9780143780632 September 3, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $16.99   Twins Kensy and Max are back in another absolutely cracking adventure, which will delight the readers of this new series. The pair has had some time to adjust themselves to their new life as part of the important Pharos organisation, headed…

  • The Silver Hand – Terry Deary

    Bloomsbury Australia July 2018ISBN: 9781472929488 Imprint: Bloomsbury Education Series: Flashbacks RRP $14.99 We all know Terry Deary’s expertise in bring history to life – witness the success of Horrible Histories. Now he turns his hand to a lesser explored part of history in the closing days of the First World War, examining this through the…

  • Ruby Redfort: Pick Your Poison [#5] – Lauren Child

    Harper Collins May 2017 ISBN10 0007334273 RRP $14.99 So about a week or so before I finished my last job (a month ago now) one of my favourite girls, Miss Georgia from Year 6, followed me into the library one morning, her face aglow. “Oh Ms Warren – I just finished reading the BEST book!”  Yes,…