Review: The Giant Mystery: How to Grow Magic #1

This new series for your those independent readers will surely be a big hit with it’s combination of magic, humour, friendship, and school – with a difference! Enchantment Street is full of shops and businesses with all manner of magical merchandise and services.

Whether you need treats for your pet dragon or want riding lessons with your unicorn, there will be a place to go in Enchantment Street. And Enchantment Street Primary is certainly the school of magical delights. With human pupils as well as merkids this school has water slipways and ponds alongside desks and chairs and playgrounds.

And  let’s just say that the lessons taught are very different to our own curriculum. Sarah’s favourite lessons are those with Mr Pottifer, of Pottifer’s Parlour of Plants, a very engaging Venus flytrap who teaches Magical Gardening.

Review: Really Rubie - A Diary

Rubie is all set to go on her very first summer camp with best friend Riley. 

They have plans. 

They’re excited. 

Then disaster strikes! Riley calls Rubie at the very last minute to tell her she can’t go to camp after all.

Now, Rubie has to face camp – where she knows nobody and doesn’t like the sound of any of the activities (except art) – alone.

This would be a nightmare for most children (and adults). 

How on earth will Rubie fit in, make friends and actually enjoy her summer holidays now that Riley won’t be there?

Review: A bigger Book

Most people would know Hannah Sommerville from her beautiful illustration work,  A Bigger Book however marks Hannah’s first solo outing as both author and illustrator and what a great topic she has chosen to debut with.

Drawing from her own childhood experiences, A Bigger Book tells the story of Cora. Like most children Cora loves books. She loves holding them and smelling them. She loves visiting the bookshop, and library day is her favourite day of the week. But when it comes time for Cora to read out loud in class things begin to change.

Review: Odd Cat Out!

This first in a new trilogy by London author Rose Robbins, who writes from her own personal experience, will make for a great addition to your inclusive collection. Framed as anthropomorphic young cats, the narrative revolves around two friends, Tangle and Eno, starting at their new 'big' school where they encounter neurodivergent kitty, Pelly.

This little pusscat has never been to school before as her only previous attempt was just too traumatic but her parents and her much-loved Granmog encourage her to give it a go. They worry about her lack of friends and, also of course, learning to manage her neurodiversity in other settings.

So to start with, it's true that the rest of the class think Pelly is rather odd and Tangle and Eno can't understand how it is she's never been to school. But these two are essentially very kind although possibly not the most deep thinkers. Tangle particularly tends to act first and think after. But they really do want to make friends with Pelly as they can sense she is feeling isolated.

Review: Benny's Bad Day (Choose Your Ending Book #1)

Have you ever been reading a book where the character does something and you think, ‘No! Why did you do that? You should have done …’? 

It can be so frustrating when the author sends their character off in the ‘wrong’ direction.

Or when the ending is not the ending you would have chosen.

If you find yourself wishing that you had more control over what your favourite characters were doing, then Nathan Luff’s new Choose Your Ending series is probably what you’re looking for.

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.