Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Foal in the Wire – Robbie Coburn

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Lothian Children’s books May 28, 2025 | 9780734423603 | RRP $19.99 Yes, I agree with you 100%. I have always said I’m not a fan of verse novels – but now, it seems I am. The slew of high standard verse novels over the past year especially has completely changed my thinking on this genre, I…

  • The Skin I’m In – Steph Tisdell

    Pan Macmillan July 2024 ISBN: 9781760984977 RRP: $26.99 It took me a while to get to this one on the review shelf, but when I did, it didn’t take me long to read it – I chomped it up over 3 nights and loved every vibrant word of it. Then of course it was Picture Book…

  • The Edge of Limits – Susanne Gervay

    Flying Elephant Media November 2022 ISBN: 9780648203551 RRP: $15.99 Susanne Gervay is no stranger to tackling difficult topics in her books and this one, is possibly one of the trickiest to navigate and pull off successfully, with the utmost sensitivity and awareness for the audience. The topic of consent, consensual relationships, toxic masculinity and the explosion…

  • The PM’s Daughter – Meredith Costain

    Penguin Australia March 2022 ISBN: 9781761046704 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 I’m well aware that many things just pass me by – especially when it comes to TV. To be fair, though The Kid is a teen, she would be way too engrossed with her horror movies to watch a show on the ABC but it appears that this…

  • You’ll Be the Death of Me – Karen M. McManus

    Penguin Australia November 2021 Really, this author and her books need no promo via my humble opinion, although I am more than happy to provide it. In my library and among my reading circle, these are just unstoppable – particularly so since the series exploded onto the small screens. The teen thriller market is just…

  • Detention – Tristan Bancks

        Penguin Random House Imprint: Puffin July 2019 ISBN: 9780143799 RRP: $16.99   Just wow! Once again Tristan has crafted a sensational narrative with high-impact tension and thought-provoking themes which will keep readers eagerly turning pages. Two young people are both, each in their own way, prisoners of sad circumstances. Sima, with her family,…

  • Love Lie Repeat – Catherine Greer

    Penguin 9780143791225 March 5, 2019 $19.99 I’ve mentioned before that I have in recent times been somewhat disenchanted with many of the YA novels that have come my way. There have been a few exceptions. This one, debut novel and all, is an absolute corker! Annie and her ‘island girls’ (the kind you take with…

  • Just Breathe – Andrew Daddo

    Penguin Australia 9780143573623 July 30, 2018 RRP: $17.99 It must be hard to be so multi-talented *wry face*.  Andrew Daddo has certainly proven his ability as not only a media figure but a very able and engaging writer. I’ve not been enthralled in recent times by a lot of the YA coming my way –…

  • I am Out with Lanterns – Emily Gale

    Penguin Random House 9780143782766 July 30, 2018 Random House Australia Children’s RRP $17.99 One of us is in the dark.  One of us is a bully. One of us wants to be understood. One of us loves a girl who loves another. One of us remembers the past as if it just happened. One of…

  • Pretty Girls Don’t Eat – Winnie Salamon

    Ford St Publishing Jul 2017 9781925272772 AUD$17.95, NZD$22.99   “Body image is one of the top concerns for young people in Australia right now,” Dr Vivienne Lewis, associate professor and clinical psychologist at the University of Canberra told The Huffington Post Australia. November 2016   Eating disorders are estimated to affect approximately 9% of the Australian population.…