Review: Into the Storm

There is something undeniably compelling about a story where the greatest danger isn’t just the wilderness surrounding the characters, but the secrets and regrets they carry within themselves. In Into the Storm, Hayley Lawrence delivers another heart-racing adventure following the success of Into the Wild. This time, she takes readers into the unforgiving landscapes of Tasmania, where every step forward could be a fight for survival.

Silas and Eve are both running—from mistakes, from grief and from the parts of their past they would rather leave behind. After previously crossing paths during a trekking competition that Eve’s team won, the two went their separate ways. But when Eve reaches out to Silas with an invitation to undertake an even more challenging trek, he accepts, seeing it as a chance to escape his own troubles. However, the wilderness has a way of stripping away pretense, and the journey soon becomes far more dangerous than either of them could have imagined.

Review: Don't Forget to Smile

Behind the elegance, discipline and applause of the ballet world lies a demanding culture of perfection, and Ariane Beeston's Don't Forget to Smile offers an honest and compelling glimpse behind the curtain.

Told through the alternating perspectives of Clara, Elle and Ben, three talented young dancers competing for a coveted place at the International Ballet Grand Prix, the novel explores what it truly costs to pursue excellence. Each protagonist faces their own personal battle: Clara struggles with the expectations of fitting the traditional ballet mould, while Elle and Ben challenge outdated attitudes and entrenched power structures within the dance world. As their individual journeys unfold, an unexpected scandal draws the trio together in surprising ways.

Review: Survival Show

Set in a future shaped by climate disaster, inequality and society’s obsession with entertainment, Survival Show by Juno Dawson transforms the familiar world of reality television into something far more sinister.

After devastating floods destroy their home, Taryn Beck and her family are forced to relocate as refugees. Struggling to survive in a society where food, housing and healthcare are increasingly limited, the pressure on Taryn’s family becomes unbearable — especially when her younger brother Jenson relies on medication to stay alive. Desperate for a way to support her family, Taryn auditions for Starmaker, the country’s biggest reality television show.

At first, Starmaker appears to offer everything audiences love about talent competitions: glittering costumes, dramatic performances, celebrity judges and the promise of fame. But beneath the glitz lies something much darker. In this dystopian future, contestants are literally competing for their lives, with eliminated participants executed as part of “Project Population”, a government initiative designed to reduce the strain on society’s resources.

Interview: Authors Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner

    

After turning fairytale conventions upside down in Lady’s Knight, Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner return with One Knight Stand—a sequel bursting with more adventure, sharp wit and plenty of heart. With cursed villages, sea monsters and medieval selfies on the horizon, the duo once again blends laugh-out-loud humour with thoughtful reflections on friendship, identity and what it truly means to be a hero. We spoke with Amie and Megan about returning to Gwen and Isobelle’s world, writing comedy with heart, and the enduring power of love in all its forms.

Review: One Knight Stand

One Knight Stand by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner returns readers to the wonderfully chaotic world first introduced in Lady's Knight—and it is every bit as clever, witty and delightfully entertaining as fans will hope.

Packed with sword fights, schemes, banter and a healthy dose of absurdity, One Knight Stand embraces all the fun of fantasy while simultaneously poking fun at it. Kaufman and Spooner clearly know the genre inside out, and the novel is filled with glorious intertextuality and knowing little winks to the reader. From playful nods to classic fantasy tropes through to the hilariously clever chapter titles—which each appear somewhere within their respective chapters—there is a sense that the authors are inviting readers in on the joke.

Review: The Last Word

Friendship, first crushes and finding your voice all come together in the delightful middle grade novel The Last Word by A.L. Tait. The third book in the Two Hearts series is a light-hearted yet thoughtful story that captures the emotional landscape of early adolescence with warmth, humour and authenticity.

Matilda Bell begins the school year without her best friend by her side and soon finds herself constantly clashing with a new classmate. When they’re forced to work together on the school debating team, their rivalry slowly shifts into something more complicated. Along the way, Matilda must navigate changing friendships, growing confidence and the tentative beginnings of first love.

Book Lists: Top 5 YA Dystopian Fiction

Many teenagers gravitate toward dystopian fiction because it helps them unpack real-life issues through the safety of an imagined world. Here are my Top 5 YA dystopian fiction novels:

Review: When I Was Death

Debut YA novel When I Was Death by Alexis Henderson may sit within the horror genre, but it is deeply immersive and reflective — a slow burn that lingers long after the final page.

Roslyn Volk has never recovered from the mysterious death of her sister, Adeline. A year after her passing, Roslyn is still haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding her death. Consumed with grief, she barely hesitates when an enigmatic group of girls with ties to Adeline roll into town and invite her to travel with them. But the girls share a dark secret: they have all been spared from death in inexplicable ways. In exchange for their continued lives, they travel the country doing Death’s bidding.

As Roslyn becomes more entangled with the group, especially its enigmatic leader, she must confront what she is willing to sacrifice for the closure she seeks. And ultimately, she faces a chilling choice: to strike her own deal with Death and perhaps find out the truth about her sister or walk away forever.

Review: The Boy and the Dog Tree

Starting a new school can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. New friendships must be formed, confidence must be rebuilt, and sometimes the courage to stand up for yourself takes time to grow.

In The Boy and the Dog Tree, Fiona Wood blends everyday middle school worries with a touch of magic to create a story that feels both comforting and imaginative. When Mitch moves to a new town, he must navigate all the challenges that come with starting again — new friendships, unfamiliar classmates, and the uneasy feeling of not quite fitting in.

But everything changes when Mitch hears sounds coming from the tree close to his gran’s house. A tree that is shaped like a dog at its base. Mitch’s dream of having a dog comes true when Argos appears one evening, a magical dog that is bound to the tree and appears to those in need.

NEW TEAM MEMBER: Introducing Jessica Finden

We are delighted to introduce new KBR Team Member - teacher librarian Jessica Finden! What better way to learn more about Jessica than with our infamous 12 Curly Questions?

 
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
When I was in primary school, I wanted to be a mortician.

2. What is your nickname? 

Jess to most, Squishy to my brother and Jica to a select few in the know.

 
3. What is your greatest fear?
Geckos - the way they fall on you and drop their tails. Ick!

 
4. Describe your writing style in ten words. I plan everything out and then overthink what I’ve written.