Sandy
YA novels set during Schoolies Week
Before the Beginning by Anna Morgan is a beautifully written story full of mystery and suspense. Four friends have gone on a trip to...
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Aussie Kids Books
Book Reviews
Welcome to my blog! This blog is a celebration of Australian children's fiction - including young adult, middle grade, junior fiction, and picture books.
Read on for my reviews!
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Sandy
- Dec 7, 2021
- 2 min
The Opposite of Disappearing: Short Stories in Uncertain Times, edited by Laura Norris & R.A Stephen
I am so honoured to have my short story, Between Spaces, included in this collection of contemporary short stories for young adult...
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Sandy
- Dec 2, 2021
- 2 min
Worst Week Ever! Monday, by Eva Amores & Matt Cosgrove
Monday is not a popular day of the week for any of us. But for Justin Chase, the narrator of this book, this particular Monday is shaping...
113 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 24, 2021
- 2 min
Paws, by Kate Foster
The doggy star of this heartwarming and gently humorous book is Kevin, a sweet-natured cockapoo. Kevin belongs to Alex, the...
31 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 19, 2021
- 2 min
Bailey Finch Takes a Stand, by Ingrid Laguna
This heartfelt and moving book for middle grade readers is a story of family and friendship and loss and caring for the environment. It...
16 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 15, 2021
- 1 min
Two Houses, by Frieda Parks; illustrated by Mithini Wathsala
I love to support indie authors and today I'm giving a shout-out to Frieda Parks, Aussie author of the gorgeous picture book Two Houses....
20 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 15, 2021
- 2 min
The Underdogs (books 1 & 2), by Kate & Jol Temple; illustrated by Shiloh Gordon
"I really like these books because they make me laugh. I like that there is a mystery to solve, it keeps me interested in the story. The...
69 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 12, 2021
- 1 min
Sass and Traz Save the Library, by Michelle Worthington; illustrated by Naomi Greaves
If you love libraries and books, then you'll love this fun action-packed adventure story. Sass and Traz are twins who don't always agree...
25 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 9, 2021
- 2 min
The Book for Happy Hearts, by Maggie Hutchings; illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Warning: I am going to rave about this book a little bit because it's just so beautiful, and I highly recommend you buy multiple copies...
74 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 9, 2021
- 2 min
How To Repaint a Life, by Stephen Herrick
I was fully immersed in this young adult novel from the very beginning. It's a story of friendship, family, kindness, and courage. Isaac...
53 views0 comments
Sandy
- Nov 2, 2021
- 2 min
Are You There Buddha? by Pip Harry
Did you read Judy Blume books when you were a teen? I sure did - and I loved 'Are You there God? It's me Margaret,' which was one of the...
32 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 25, 2021
- 2 min
Mary had a Monstersaur; written by Mike Dumbleton, illustrated by Peter Bath
I love this gorgeously 'scary' version of the well known children's rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb. In this version of the story, it's not...
31 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 19, 2021
- 2 min
Lucy and Copper, by Mandy Foot
This beautifully heartfelt story celebrates the special bond between children and animals, and tells a story of learning to adjust to...
21 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 17, 2021
- 3 min
Hometown Haunts: Flash Fiction challenge
To celebrate the upcoming release of Hometown Haunts (a collection of spooky stories for YA readers published by Wakefield Press), the...
25 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 11, 2021
- 2 min
The Curiosities, written by Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Phil Lesnie
This picture book is a work of art, from the lyrical text, to the stunning and evocative illustrations. I love a multi-layered picture...
70 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 10, 2021
- 3 min
Michaela Mason's Big List of 23 Worries/Michaela Mason's Big List of Camp Worries, by Alexa Moses
I am officially hooked on this well crafted new series for middlegrade readers (aged 8+), which shines a light on friendship, family,...
119 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 9, 2021
- 2 min
The Australian Climate Change Book, Written by Polly Marsden, illustrated by Chris Nixon
Do you have kids who might be anxious or curious about climate change? Or are you looking for a book that helps explain climate change in...
13 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 8, 2021
- 2 min
Australian Backyard Birdies, by Andy Geppert
Fun, quirky, memorable, entertaining, colourful - these are all words the kids and I came up with to describe Australian Background...
21 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 4, 2021
- 2 min
Where’s My Dinosaur? by Ashling Kwok; illustrated by Jasmine Berry
This engaging new picture book is captivating from the very first page, when our young narrator tells us that ‘there’s something growing...
55 views0 comments
Sandy
- Oct 1, 2021
- 2 min
Tell Me Why, by Archie Roach
Tell Me Why is a raw, heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting account of singer/songwriter Archie Roach’s life. Archie was forcibly...
14 views0 comments
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