Middle Grade
Encouraging 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…
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‘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…
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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 the…
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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.…
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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,…
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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…
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‘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…
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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 –…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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?…
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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…
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Part One of this series is here. So why a ‘Girl Zone Book Club’ I hear you ask? Well the easy answer to that question is that I work at a girls…
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For many years now at school I’ve been running ‘Girl Zone Book Club’– a reading group for Year Six students and a significant woman in their life – mother, aunt, grandma, older…
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I am always on the lookout for new series for middle-upper primary readers as if a series is great, young readers simply devour them – which is surely what we want! I…
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There is something truly magical about ballet. To be able to float in layers of tulle and silk, across a stage, with seemingly effortless grace requires precision, strength and skill way beyond…
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Publisher: Penguin Australia Every so often, there comes a story so brilliant and lively and moving that it cannot be left in the past. So begins each of the re-released Australian children’s classics:…
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I have read and very much enjoyed Ananda Braxton-Smiths young adult series, ‘The Secrets of Carrick’. I do so love it when an accomplished YA writers turns their talent to our younger…
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