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Book review: Leo and Ralph
Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas, UQP, ISBN 9780702266218 REVIEWED BY ANWEN, 10, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Leo and Ralph is a wonderful book to read if you’re looking for a story about best buds doing whatever they can to be with each other. This book contains lots of…
Charlie Archbold on The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage
Charlie Archbold has been a teacher in Australia, the UK, and Indonesia, which has given her a trove of experiences to infuse into her stories. Charlie's books often explore themes of curiosity, community, and justice. Today we're chatting to Charlie about the second book in her adventure series: The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage.…
Book review: Into the Blue
Into the Blue by Cristy Burne, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993870 REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 11, NSW The publisher provided a review copy of this book. For his school holiday, Blair went snorkelling at the beach with his cousin. Blair walked into the ocean slowly as he spat into his snorkelling mask. He and his cousin, Drew,…
Amy Freund on Amigo the Capybara
Amy Freund's debut picture book is Amigo the Capybara, illustrated by Kooky Chooky. Today we're thrilled to be chatting with Amy about capybaras, writing in rhyme, and how she came to write the book. From the publisher: Amigo the capybara loves to party! But his neighbour, Mila the chinchilla, definitely does not. Will Amigo's biggest…
Book review: Real Friends
Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham, Roaring Brook Press, ISBN 9781626727854 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this graphic novel memoir. REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC Meet Shannon, a girl who has four siblings and lives in a squishy, noisy house. She wants her best friend, Adrienne, all to herself. She has…
Book review: Remarkably Ruby
Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson, HarperCollins US, ISBN 9780063139183 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this graphic novel. REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC Remarkably Ruby is a book about Ruby and Mia, two girls who used to be friends. Ruby is a kind and shy girl who loves poetry. Ruby has irritable bowel syndrome,…
Book review: A Pinch of Magic
A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9781471124297 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC Meet the Winddershin sisters, Betty, Fliss and Charlie, girls who have a taste for adventure. Betty is an adventurist and wants to explore the world. Fliss is very pretty but…
2024 Young Readers Day Out at State Library of WA!
If you live near Perth, WA, make sure you're at the State Library of WA on 17 November for the 2024 Young Readers Day Out! Meet some of WA’s most well-known children’s book authors and illustrators for a morning packed with activities, including:• Helping illustrators compete in an interactive illustration duel• Learning how to draw…
Book review: Paws
REVIEWED BY OLIVIA, 12, QLD Paws by Kate Foster, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760652661 Olivia's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. What do you do when you're trying to make cool friends? This is what 11-year-old autistic Alex thought about a lot. Alex knows the signs of emotions, so…
Book review: How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
The publisher provided a review copy of this book. How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald, ISBN 9780702268717, University of Queensland Press. REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Sam is an eleven-year-old who loves world records. Sam isn’t the smartest and his mum thinks he needs to focus on school…
Book review: I am Rebel
REVIEWED BY REBEKAH, GRADE 5, NSW I am Rebel by Ross Montgomery, Walker Books, ISBN 9781529502909 Rebekah's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. This heartachingly tender quest novel is an adventure from the very first page. In Ross Montgomery's I Am Rebel, readers are whisked away into a world…
Book review: Wongutha Tales
Wongutha Tales: Bawoo Stories & Badudu Stories by May L. O'Brien, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993412. REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Aashi received a review copy of this book. Wongutha Tales are stories from May L. O'Brien’s childhood and Dreamtime stories. My favourite Bawoo story was 'Why Emus Can’t Fly'. 'Why Emus Can’t Fly' is about…
Ashleigh Barton on the Freddie Spector, Fact Collector series
Ashleigh Barton writes picture books and junior fiction series for children. Before writing full time, she pursued her love of books (children's books especially) by working in some of Australia's biggest publishing houses. Today we're chatting to Ashleigh about the first two books in her new Freddie Spector, Fact Collector series, illustrated by Peter Cheong.…
Book review: Adoette
REVIEWED BY JONATHAN, 6, WA Adoette by Lydia Monks, Andersen Press, ISBN 9781839131905 Jonathan's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. I love this book because it is about the past and present. I really like the last page because it is so colourful and full of nature! Adoette means…
Book review: Smarty Pup Pawsome Genius Friends Fur-ever
REVIEWED BY EMMA, 6, QLD Smarty Pup: Pawsome Genius Friends Fur-ever by Anh Do, illustrated by Anton Emdin, Allen and Unwin, ISBN 9781760526399 Emma's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. Smarty pup is funny because the pup JJ can talk. JJ gets hit with purple goo that is from…
Book review: The Deadlands: Hunted
REVIEWED BY NICK, 11, QLD The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner, Walker Books, ISBN 9781529516241 Nick's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The Deadlands: Hunted is an action-packed book about two dinosaur kingdoms at war. The main character, Eleri, a dinosaur, joins a group of exiles after being banished…
Book review: Ruby Red Shoes
REVIEWED BY WINNIE, 7, SA Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp, HarperCollins Australia, ISBN 9780732293628 Winnie's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp is a heartwarming story about a hare called Ruby. She lives in a beautiful caravan with her kind grandmother, Babushka Galina Galushka. They…
Cassy Polimeni on Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra
Cassy Polimeni (photo by Fran Jorgensen) Cassy Polimeni writes books for children and young adults. She has worked as a bookseller, travel writer, magazine editor, TV book reviewer and airport chauffeur. Today we're chatting to Cassy about Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra – the first in a fun four-book junior fiction series, illustrated by Hykie…
Book review: Howl’s Moving Castle
REVIEWED BY DEXTER, 11, QLD Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, HarperCollins GB, ISBN 9780007299263 Dexter's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. If you’re a fan of fantasy and suspense, this is the book for you. Howl’s Moving Castle is a 302-page novel about a girl called Sophie…
Book review: Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris
REVIEWED BY KINSEY, 7, QLD Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess, Hardie Grant Children's Publishing, ISBN 9781760502591 Kinsey's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. This is my favourite book because it has lots of fashion in it and it’s also by my favourite author Megan Hess.…
Carla Fitzgerald on How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
Carla Fitzgerald is a children's author, a recovered lawyer and mum of three. Carla has written three humorous books for children – one picture book and two novels. Despite numerous attempts, she has not yet broken a world record. Today we're pleased to be chatting to Carla about her latest book: How to Break a…
Book review: A Matter of Cats
REVIEWED BY GUS, 10, SA A Matter of Cats by Elizabeth Hutchins, Wakefield Press, ISBN 9781743058893 Gus's review of A Matter of Cats was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers' Competition. A Matter of Cats by Elizabeth Hutchins is an amazing story of friendship and environmental awareness, set in Mala Sanctuary in South Australia. Although…
Book review: James and the Giant Peach
REVIEWED BY LACHLAN, 7, NSW James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake, Puffin, ISBN 9780241558331 Lachlan's review of James and the Giant Peach was the winner in the 2024 Young Book Reviewers' Competition. The story is called James and the Giant Peach. It was illustrated by Quentin Blake. He has…
Book review: Waiting for the Storks
REVIEWED BY SAHANA, 11, NSW Waiting for the Storks by Katrina Nannestad, ABC Books, ISBN 9780733340888 Sahana's review of this book was the winner in the 2024 Young Reviewers' Competition. I press my face against the bars of the truck and scream for my Mama and Tata. My heart slowly drops and tears slither down…
Winners of our 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition
We are pleased to announce the winners of our Young Reviewers' Competition! JUNIOR WINNER: Lachlan Richards, NSW. Lachlan reviewed: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake. PRIMARY WINNER: Sahana Saraf, NSW. Sahana reviewed: Waiting for the Storks by Katrina Nannestad. SCHOOL AWARD: Mater Dei Catholic Primary, Ashgrove, QLD LONGLISTED JUNIOR…
Kylie Howarth on Kev and Trev: Snot Funny Sea Stories
Kylie Howarth is an award-winning, internationally published children’s author-illustrator from Western Australia. Kylie has swum with whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales in Ningaloo, piranha and pink dolphins in the Amazon, braved scuba diving with lionfish in Egypt, marine iguanas and hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands and encountered great white sharks in South…
Book review: Outlaw Girls
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Outlaw Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781922790231 The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Outlaw Girls is a great adventure story by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman. It is about two girls. Ruby, who only trusts her closest friends and family, and Kate,…
Mark Greenwood on the History Hunter series
Mark Greenwood is a history hunter! He enjoys searching for lost explorers and glittering treasure, delving into baffling mysteries and investigating famous cold cases. His many award-winning books examining history and multicultural themes have been honoured internationally. Today Mark chats to us about his new History Hunter series, exploring unsolved mysteries. The first two books…
Book review: Right Way Down and Other Poems
REVIEWED BY CLASS 4K AT GREAT SOUTHERN GRAMMAR, WA Right Way Down and Other Poems, edited by Rebecca M. Newman & Sally Murphy, illustrated by Briony Stewart, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993429 Alphabet Soup is a co-publisher of this book and provided a review copy. Right Way Down and Other Poems is a great book filled…
Cheryl Leavy on Yanga Mother
Cheryl Leavy (photo by Rhett Hamilton) Cheryl Leavy is from the Kooma and Nguri Nations in western and central Queensland. She is an award-winning poet and writer who loves to tell stories that celebrate First Nations culture, history and Country. We're thrilled to be chatting to Cheryl about her first picture book – Yanga Mother –…
Young Book Reviewers’ Comp closing Friday
We know Term Three is always jam-packed. In case your calendar has fallen off the wall in protest: this is a reminder to get your entries in for our Young Book Reviewers' Competition by this Friday, 9 August 2024! There are prizes in two age categories and also for the school with the highest number…
Shirley Marr on Countdown to Yesterday
Shirley Marr is an award-winning author and first generation Chinese-Australian living in sunny Perth. Shirley describes herself as having a Western Mind and an Eastern Heart and writes in the middle where both collide. She bases her stories on her own personal experiences of migration and growing up in Australia. Today we're chatting to Shirley…
Deborah Abela on The Kindness Project
Deborah Abela is an award-winning author and trained as a teacher before becoming writer/producer of a national children’s TV show. She has since written 30 internationally published and awarded books, including the Max Remy series, her climate change trilogy – Grimsdon, New City and Final Storm – and The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee. The Book of Wondrous Possibilities is about the…
Dr Vanessa Pirotta on Oceans at Night
Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist, science communicator and author. Vanessa’s research is extensive, she has even used drones to collect whale snot, and computer algorithms and AI for the detection of illegal wildlife trafficking! Vanessa is the author of three books, with more on the way. Today we're excited to be talking to…
Book review: Kelpie Chaos
REVIEWED BY ANWEN, 10, WA Kelpie Chaos by Deb Fitzpatrick, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993856 The publisher provided a review copy of this book. I think that Kelpie Chaos is a great book for all ages of readers because there is that thrill and excitement that many readers thrive with in their reading. It’s very clear…
Nat Amoore on the Shower Land series
Nat Amoore has been a trapeze artist and circus performer, a podcaster, and now she's an award-winning children’s author. Since Nat’s first book – Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire – was published in 2019, she’s published five more books and there are plenty more on the way! Today we’re pleased to be chatting about her…
Sally Murphy on Queen Narelle
Sally Murphy is an author, poet, speaker and educator based in the South West of Western Australia. Sally has published more than 40 books, and we're thrilled to be chatting to Sally about her verse novel: Queen Narelle, with illustrations by Simon O'Carrigan. From the publisher: Narelle is the queen of her household, ruler of the family…
Book review: Home of the Brave
REVIEWED BY SKYE, 11, CALIFORNIA, USA Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, St Martin's Press, ISBN 9780312535636 Skye reviewed her own copy of this book. Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is a heartfelt story about finding a true home away from home. An 11-year-old refugee named Kek migrates from Africa to America…
Announcing our 2024 Young Book Reviewers’ competition
Entries close 31 July 2024. Photo by Norma Mortenson on Pexels Our Young Book Reviewers' Competition is back! The comp is open to Australian residents aged 12 or younger. Entries must be submitted by a parent, guardian or teacher (with parents’ permission). To enter: Review a children’s book from any genre. There is no word limit for…
Fionna Cosgrove on the Twisted Trails series
Fionna Cosgrove is a Western Australian writer with a taste for the wonderfully macabre. Her writing has been published in The School Magazine and anthologies, and she's also the author of the Twisted Trails series for young readers. Today we're chatting to Fionna about how she writes her Twisted Tales! About the Twisted Trails series:…