Review: A House Divided

A House Divided by Clare Hallifax, is the second book in the Our History series, and an entertaining and informative window into history. 

It covers a year in Juliet’s life and the year is 1975. Colour television was introduced in Australia, flared jeans were fashionable, and the landmark National Library of Australia building opened. It was also a time of political upheaval. 

1975 brings lots of changes for Juliet, her family, and the whole country. 

Juliet lives with her parents and grandmother, and has an older sister at university interstate. Her dad works in a quite senior position in the federal government. 

She's entering her final year of primary school, and is expected to complete a year-long, individual project, one that she needs to choose for herself. 

Juliet decides to compare her life growing up in the seventies, with her Gran’s at the end of the First World War and afterwards.

Review: The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks

Starting high school is nerve-wracking enough for most kids. Different teachers. New subjects. A maze of corridors and classrooms to navigate. More homework. That’s all bad enough but when your dad insists on sending you to a school where you don’t know anyone except your aloof big sister and one weirdo from your primary school … well, that’s next level.

Enter Gracie Sparks.

The transition from being the popular and cool student who wows everyone with her electric guitar skills to being a friendless nobody does not sit well with Gracie and she’s determined to do something about it. But what?

All the other Year 7s at Middleton Grammar are already in tight friendship groups so Gracie is initially stuck with boring-girl Margot. 

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.

Review: Swearwolves

Do not let the title of this book turn you off straight away. Hear me out first because the subject matter is treated in an exceptionally mature way and, let’s be honest, those words are out there and being used by our children (but not by Steve Worland in this book).

Luna Wilkinson has not long started at her new school and she’s having trouble fitting in. Everyone has their friendship groups and little cliques and there doesn’t seem to be space for the new kid who is rapidly getting a reputation for being a bit weird.

As Luna sees it, her one chance to stand out – and fit in – lies in wowing the crowds at the upcoming audition for Bite Me – The Musical. Luna doesn’t just want to be given a part; she wants to be cast in the lead role. 

Review: How To Be A Fantastic Sensational Good Enough Kid

Cheerful, warm, vibrant, satisfying to hold and chock full of brilliant information for celebrating uniqueness (or for when you don’t feel quite enough), this book is a game-changer. A life raft. A first aid kit. I could go on, but I won’t.

With a team of earnest, hilarious little animals representing the various parts of your brain, and a friendly narrator taking you by the hand from the get-go, how could it be anything but magic!

Whether you’re feeling average, isolated, scared, unable to make a friend – or perhaps you’re aware that you’re winning at everything when others are not! – this book contains strategies and ideas for all the variables that life throws up.

Review: The Amazing Generation – Your Guide To Fun And Freedom In A Screen-filled World

Encouraging young readers to strengthen their powers of attention and think for themselves, The Amazing Generation lays out scientific and anecdotal evidence of the deliberately addictive nature of social media and smartphones.

There are a multitude of fabulous ideas in its clever and appealing 'Rebel’s Code':

Use technology as a tool. Don’t let technology use you! Fill your life with real friendship, freedom and fun.

The book encourages us all to outsmart the tech companies – or to at least think about our daily habits. To find our own ways to switch off, have fun, connect in real life and create fulfilment, whether we're plugged in or not.

It also helps us to think about who we look up to – and why.

Fascinating anecdotes (did you know that many who live and work in the tech industry will NEVER let their children have social media or smartphones??) and stories from real life young-adult rebels who’ve ditched tech and not only survived but thrived, are all parts of this journey.

Review: Myra in the Middle

As the oldest child in my family, I could tell you many stories about how difficult it can be to have to ‘pave the way’ for my siblings. However, I have no idea of the trials and tribulations of being the youngest child – or the middle child for that matter.

Happily, there are books that address such matters, allowing us all a window into the experiences of others.

Up until the birth of her baby brother, seven-year-old Myra was the youngest of two, but now she is in the new position of ‘middle child’. 

It’s a bit of a nothing zone – a space where she's invisible, forgotten and not the ‘-est’ of anything. Myra’s not quite sure what her role is or where she fits anymore, only that she’s been relegated to the squashy middle seat in the car and she's been given the position of midfielder in her soccer team.

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.

Junior Review: Maisy Hayes Is Not For Sale

Maisy Hayes Is Not For Sale is a fiercely insightful coming-of-age novel by Allayne L Webster. It delves into the judgement teens face and the price tag labelled upon their worth.

Maisy Hayes feels like the background character of her life. Never the prettiest, the smartest, or the coolest in the room. Never with the newest phone, most expensive shoes, or designer bag. Her special treat only ever came in the form of a dollar slushie from the mall.

Maisy faces a situation no teen, let alone adult, wants to encounter. The Hayes family is deep in financial trouble, struggling to make ends meet. 

With Maisy’s absent father lurking in the back of her mind, she is determined to make a future for herself. She’s not sure what yet — though she is positive she wants anything but a life like her mum's.

She dreams of having enough money not to live paycheck to paycheck. To buy things without thinking of the cost. 

Review: Lottie Brooks Vs The Ultra Mean Girls

This book is one of those middle grade reads that this (ahem) middle-aged reviewer could not put down.

Just when Lottie thought life might be going back to normal, everything goes wrong again!

All the things that could possibly go wrong in a tween girls’ life, do go wrong in this book. And it’s a hoot. 

Written in diary form, with literal stick figure pictures and a tween vernacular to die for, the book’s main character Lottie Brooks is the type of kid that every tween or teen who reads this book wants to be like. Or at the very least, wants to have as a BFF.

Lottie is flawed and a little bit slow to catch on to things that her squad know instantly. 

She’s naïve and funny, clever and endearing, unashamedly herself, and embarrassed at things that other kids don’t give a rip about.

Review: Partypooper (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20)

Partypooper is book 20 in the super popular, bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (hundreds of millions of copies of books in the series have been sold).

What better way to celebrate the milestone of 20 books in a series than to write a story about a birthday, Greg Heffley's birthday.

Greg's sure his family is planning a surprise party for him. Unfortunately, although he's excited about it, he's also a bit nervous, too.

What could go wrong? Well, his family forgetting his birthday is what.

How can that happen? Well Greg soon finds out what led to it, then in true Heffley style his family decides to make it up to him and plan a super dooper party.

That means decisions for Greg, or so he'd like to think. 

Like whether to have a family party at a restaurant, or friend party somewhere like the trampoline park or an escape room or the museum.

Review: Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the Harry Potter Stories

Especially for Harry Potter fans come a set of books called the Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the harry Potter Stories.

There are three titles in the series out now: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. And they're like a special gift book. Hardcover, full colour, and packed with information. 

Each book is focused on one of the characters (Harry, Hermione, or Ron). 

Working your way through the 32 pages in each book, you're treated to a potted summary of the character's experiences throughout the Harry Potter series.  

The books are highly illustrated, highlighting what's memorable or important about the character and their life at Hogwarts, and at home. 

They progress through the school years with events like being sorted into their houses, playing quidditch, and learning magical spells.

Review: The Making Of Martha Mayfield

Thank you Jo Dabrowski, for delivering us another fresh, funny, wonderful and original book. This one is about trusting yourself while not believing everything your mind thinks, and it’s an absolute gem!

‘A heartwarming and relatable story exploring change, following your instincts and finding your voice in a loud world.’ 

Fifth grader Martha Mayfield has a cooler than cool Grandma who, like other very cool women, goes by just one name. Stella. She also has a shy but crazily talented-at-dressmaking mum, and a gothic, European-soccer-loving sister.

And Martha herself? Well, Martha has good ideas. Great ideas. Tremendous ideas. But, she’s also known as the apple that didn’t fall far from the tree in that she inherited her mums shyness.

Review: Edie Tells A Lie

Edie Tells A Lie is a tender, compelling story about family, friendship, loneliness, starting over, and the layered consequences of making a mistake.

Told from Edie’s point of view (but not in the first person), Edie Tells A Lie feels very intimate because the reader is privy to her raw thought processes and dreams. 

Like the story itself, the character of Edie is both vulnerable and strong. Ten-year old Edie and her bestie, Bowie, have grown up living next door to each other. 

Each knows the other so well, that even when life throws up challenges their bond cannot be broken. That’s how it has always been.

Until now.

Because Bowie has left town. She’s moved far, far away, and is not responding to any of Edie’s messages. She is obviously having the best time without Edie.

Review: Drift

I’m not sure why but verse novels generate all the feels. Floaty, ethereal emotions that lure you in and linger long after the last word is read. Drift is one of those novels. 

Maybe it’s Pip Harry’s prodigious ability with words. Perhaps it’s Nate and Luna’s blossoming friendship. Perhaps it’s the bittersweet discomfiture of wanting more, missing what was and having to deal with an uncertain tomorrow that makes Drift so appealing.

Nate is in his mid-teens, an ex-pat child of Singapore, recently rehomed along with his physically challenged mother in Australia which he finds as alien and isolating as being on the moon. Luna, his neighbour appears a sensitive and understanding ally however is nursing her own darkness.

When over 20,000 swarming bees decide Nate’s home is the place to be, he and Luna unite to save them along with local surfy and ace beekeeper, Tyler. 

Junior Review: Loverboy

The compelling young adult novel Loverboy by esteemed author Ben Tomlinson captures the essence of teenage years, transporting the reader into the life (or should I say love life) of Alfie.

This novel centres Alfie who believes he has found ‘the one’. Meet Maya, his best friend and girl of his dreams. Alfie and Maya share a long, intimate history together. 

They spend both the highs and lows of their life together, their loves and losses, their pains and gains. They share everything, right? Or that’s what they both thought until they discover an underlying romance to their relationship that blurs the line between friends and lovers.

Alfie’s desperate search for love finds him falling for Gwen, one of the close members in their friendship circle and becomes confused when she doesn’t share the same feelings for him. It turns out Gwen was hiding a bigger secret of her own…

Review: The Ballad Of Darcy & Russell

NY Times bestselling author of six books for teens, Morgan Matson, has struck some wonderful balladic notes of rhythm and narrative (along with the sweet harmony of teen love) to create a compelling read in The Ballad Of Darcy & Russell.

The story begins with Darcy travelling home to LA from a music festival, when the bus breaks down. Both she and Russell find themselves stranded at a fairly remote bus station, where she asks to borrow his phone charger. And so the adventure begins. 

For a narrative set over the course of just 24 hours, a lot goes on. Without giving the storyline away, suffice to say that there are global rock stars, Mexican feasts, swimming pool break-ins and security interrogations … all while our two main characters get to know each other in a funny, intense and very visceral way.

Review: 31 And A Half Things To Know As You Grow

This delightful book by two award-winning creators in author Meg McKinlay and illustrator Nicky Johnston, will make a beautiful gift for new babies and young readers alike.

A gorgeous, sometimes whimsical offering that provides the seeds of good advice and encourages small people to stand in their power, it shares ideas and thoughts on useful and fun stuff to know as you’re growing up!

Review: The Completely Chaotic Christmas Of Lottie Brooks

The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks is one of a bestselling series, penned and illustrated with amusing stick figures by Katie Kirby.

It’s easy to see why these books are delighting readers young and old – the writing is fresh, funny and fabulous.

Lottie Brooks is one of those tween characters who is sometimes all-bluff, sometimes all-heart, and you sort of fall in love with her either way.

She is a frustratingly endearing creature who creates crazy and embarrassing moments in every aspect of her life – the word ‘chaotic’ in the title is an understatement.

Lottie’s voice is clear and engaging, even when her actions are heart-stoppingly ridiculous. She constantly gets herself into awkward situations, giving readers the joy of watching her squirm out of them.

Review: Six Summers Of Tash And Leopold

This coming of age story by award-winning author of The Year The Maps Changed Danielle Binks, is an adventure, a treat and a heartwarming story all rolled into one.

But now it’s the last week of year six and Tash is standing in Leo’s front yard with a misdelivered letter – and a favour to ask. It’s a request that will set off a chain of events in Noble Park, their little suburb that is changing, and fast…

A big, hopeful coming-of-age middle-grade book that features complicated families and life-changing summers.

Tash and Leo have been friends forever, until they’re not (one day, Tash simply starts hanging out with different kids and Leo is left wondering what he did, what he said, and why he was dropped like a hot potato).