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…

  • Six Weeks – Matt Goodfellow

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Starboard June 2026 9781444982886 RRP $16.99 It never ceases to amaze me when I happen to read two books within a week and they both have a similar central theme, in this case a young person’s grief. This is yet another verse novel that has continued to grow this genre as one…

  • Song of a Thousand Seas – Zana Fraillon

    UQP September 2025 9780702266317 RRP: $14.99 I’ve made no secret of my admiration of and fascination with octopuses. Some will have read my review of A Journey Under the Water and also watched My Octopus Teacher, both of which increased my manifold interest in these amazing creatures. You may also have seen references to Octopolis,…

  • 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…

  • Little Bones – Sandy Bigna

    UQP March 2025 9780702268878 RRPP: $16.99 I know I’m repeating myself, but I preface this again with the fact that I’ve never been a huge fan of verse novels. But I can tell you, we have some amazing creators who are changing my mind about that. This debut title from Sandy Bigna is hands-down one…

  • Queen Narelle – Sally Murphy. Illustrated by Simon O’Carrigan.

    Walker Books June 2023 ISBN13: 9781760655334 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Although I have often noted that the kiddos in my libraries are not all that taken with stories in verse, the one exception, always, is Sally Murphy’s books. These have invariably been on a constant rotation in our circulation stats. Clearly, this delightful new…

  • In the Key of Code – Aimee Lucido

    Walker Books Australia ISBN: 9781406389333Imprint: WalkerAustralian RRP: $16.99New Zealand RRP: $18.99 It speaks volumes that this was read in just one night in the past week and that I was immediately talking it up the next day to my ChocLit group. A verse novel that combines music and coding is not something I’d ever encountered before but this is…

  • Toffee – Sarah Crossan

    Bloomsbury June 2019 9781526608147 Bloomsbury YA RRP $14.99 Exquisitely, compellingly poignant and haunting, I was so happy that I took this to the hairdresser’s yesterday. It meant I could read it one sitting without feeling guilty about neglected house chores! I am not who I say I am. Marla isn’t who she thinks she is.…

  • Planet Middle School – Nikki Grimes

    Bloomsbury ISBN: 9781619630123 ISBN-10: 1619630125 Format: Paperback Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Publish Date: 2-Jan-2018 Country of Publication: United States RRP AU $14.99 Joylin Johnson has an uncomplicated life at 12 years old as she has had all her life. Baggy jeans and t-shirts, plain ponytail and a passion for basketball which she regularly plays with the neighbourhood boys…