Courage
Title: ‘Elsewhere Girls’Author: Emily Gale & Nova WeetmanPublisher: Text Publishing Age Range: from 10+, upper primary, lower secondary. Themes: friendship, family, courage, pressure, sport, elite sport, academics, timeslip, history, feminism, women, women…
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Jazzy has been reviewing for me for several years now and I always love seeing her emails pop into my inbox as her reviews are thoughtful and insightful and it’s so nice…
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Another fab review from Jazzy! Jazzy is one of the most sophisticated young readers I know and I really value her insights on the latest book she’s been reading. Today she’s reviewing…
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Title: ClaudetteAuthor + Illustrator: Hélène MagissonPublisher: Red Paper Kite Age Range: 5+, early childhood, lower primary, middle – upper primary as art study. Themes: puppets, puppeteers, makers, creativity, difference, freedom of thought,…
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This bestselling novel by John Green was published in 2012 and has since been made into successful movie. There is something truly remarkable about the pull of ‘The Fault in our Stars’,…
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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…
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Title: ‘Maxi the Lifeguard: The Stormy Protest’ Author: Trent Maxwell and David Lawrence Illustrator: Peter Baldwin Publisher: Affirm Press Themes: surf lifesaving; lifeguards; rescue; family; friendship; goal setting; community engagement; teamwork; caring for the environment; protest.…
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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…
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‘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…
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Jazzy is one of the most sophisticated young readers I know and she always stretches herself to read outside of her comfort zone. Her latest book has been, in her own words,…
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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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This is ChickPea’s first official review on the blog and it’s appropriate that it be of ‘Polly and Buster’ as she’s deeply in love with this trilogy from bestselling author Sally Rippin.…
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At talks to parents and educators, I always say that books allow young people to walk in the shoes of others. Never was this saying more relevant than with the latest book…
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Twice a year I try to post a list of the adult books I am reading and enjoying. To be perfectly honest I do not read a huge number of adult books,…
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Title: ‘Girl on Wire’ Author: Lucy Estela Illustrator: Elise Hurst Publisher: Penguin Books Australia Age Range: 5+ (ageless) Themes: courage, resilience, emotional wellbeing, support, self-esteem Awards: CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2019:…
READ MOREThere are some young adult (YA) novels that seem to take the world by storm, and ‘Dry’ is one of them and it is currently being adapted for film. Neil Shusterman is…
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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: ‘Maxi the Lifeguard: In Deep Water’ Author: Trent Maxwell and David Lawrence Illustrator: Peter Baldwin Publisher: Affirm Press Themes: surf lifesaving; lifeguards; rescue; family; friendship; goal setting; community engagement; teamwork; caring for the…
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