Middle Grade
Title: ‘White Bird’ Author: R. J. Palacio Publisher: Penguin Books Australia Age Range: middle grade*, YA Themes: bravery, kindness, courage, World War II, survival, family, found family, friends. Inspired by her blockbuster phenomenon…
READ MORE
Title: ‘Monuments’ Author: Will Kostakis Publisher: Hachette Age Range: young adult Themes: fantasy, adventure, Greek mythology, contemporary fiction, sexuality, friendship, family, grief, coming of age Greek Australian, Indigenous, romance, diversity, humour. Teachers’…
READ MORE
Dr Sam Lloyd has been reviewing Science themed books for Children’s Books Daily for some years now – you can see all her reviews by clicking on the ‘guest blogger’ category or…
READ MORE
Term Three is such a busy term with sports and other school activities (including Book Week!) and it’s often the time of year when many book club attendees are unable to make…
READ MORE
In my humble opinion, Jane Godwin is one of the heroes of the kidlit world in Australia. A former publisher (responsible for the wonderful ‘Our Australian Girls’ series no less), Jane has…
READ MORE
‘Sometimes rain made me want to cry, like there was something deep inside of me – the sadness flower that opened up when rainy days came, and blossomed inside of me until…
READ MOREEncouraging young people to read widely and enjoy a balanced literary diet is something that can add immeasurably to their reading and writing journey. For many of us, poetry and verse novels…
READ MORE
‘Everything I’ve Never Said’ is a bold book with a powerful voice that will connect with readers from 9+ and many adults. Title: ‘Everything I’ve Never Said’ Author: Samantha Wheeler Publisher: UQP Age Range: upper…
READ MORE
It’s a question yelled into cyberspace regularly, and to be honest even as a teacher librarian I’ve struggled with this question. Where does a reader go when they feel like they’ve read…
READ MORE
Life gets busy for our young people with homework and after school activities and around the tween years and reading for pleasure often declines, even in children who have previously loved reading.…
READ MORE
A daring escape. A school lockdown. A thrillingchase. What would you risk to save a life? Title: ‘Detention’Author: Tristan BancksPublisher: Penguin Random HouseAge Range: middle gradeThemes: refugees, immigration, asylum seekers, displaced persons,…
READ MORE
Bruce Pascoe has penned a book, and now a younger readers edition of that book, that is, and will continue to be, the subject of many wonderful conversations and changes in the…
READ MORE
‘Dream Riders’ is a new middle grade series about the lives of the ‘dream riders’ as they enter the world of the ‘Pocket of Dreams’. Located in Mullumbimby, this idyllic property is…
READ MORE
When I get Science based books, as much as I adore them, I pass them over the back fence for my scientist neighbour to review for me! A million thanks Sam –…
READ MORE
The Children’s Book Council of Australia 2019 Book of the Year Shortlist was announced this week and of course it has ruffled some feathers and made some book creators weep with joy…
READ MORE
Multiple-award-winning author Meg McKinlay’s latest middle grade novel places the reader at that tricky intersection where logic and science meet magic and hope, a place where many of us find ourselves when…
READ MORE
This week on ‘Five on Friday’ I’m talking about a ‘group’ of books (I’m stretching the friendship on five this week) which are perfect for middle – upper primary and into lower…
READ MORE
Title: ‘Sonam and the Silence’ Author: Eddie Ayres Illustrator: Ronak Taher Publisher: Allen & Unwin Age Range: middle – upper primary Themes: music, resilience, courage, curiosity, Afghanistan, Taliban. Click on title links or cover image to…
READ MORE
I’m entirely horrified at the prospect of having teenagers one day, but I’m already getting a taste of it with the *TEN* year old. Surely I was not like this at ten?…
READ MORE
If you’ve been reading along, you’ll know that Part One of this series is here and Part Two is here. This is my final instalment of fav books that have been read…
READ MOREAbout Me
