Little Bones
Title: Little Bones Author: Sandy Bigna Publisher: University of Queensland Press Publication date: March 2025 Themes: Grief, friendship, courage, acceptance, collections, hope, healing Comprehensive Teachers’ Notes are available on the University of Queensland Press website here Little Bones is a stunningly captivating, tender, lyrical middle grade verse novel by debut author Sandy Bigna and published by University […]
Chickenpox
Remy Lai in her latest graphic novel, Chickenpox, published by Allen and Unwin, takes the reader into the world of twelve-year-old Abby Lai who is keen for any opportunity to spend time away from home, aka the wild zoo, where her four younger rambunctious siblings in equal measure annoy, embarrass and frustrate her. Set in […]
Patience . . . (A Slow Down Book): Discover How the Best Things in Life Take Time
Patience . . . (A Slow Down Book): Discover How the Best Things in Life Take Time written by Rachel Williams and illustrated by Leonie Lord is a stunning book that explores time and place by sharing in a visually driven and engaging way life cycles of plants, animals and people. The layout of the […]
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master and illustrated by Astrid Hicks shines a light on the beauty of intergenerational friendships. It also highlights the powerful and unlikely friendships that are formed when tweens come together for an extended period of time sans devices and creating an online identity as an “influencer”, the relentless […]
The Midwatch
The Midwatch by author and illustrator Judith Rossell and published by Hardie Grant is an exceptional middle grade mystery full of adventure with a cast of determined, inventive, courageous girls who work together and use their unique skills to solve mysteries. This hardback novel is an exquisite, enticing and sumptuous production, a perfect invitation to […]
All The Beautiful Things
All the Beautiful Things by Katrina Nannestad with illustrations by Martina Heiduczek is a meticulously researched, enthralling historical fiction novel aimed for readers 10+. This story is set in the Bavarian Alps in World War II between 1943 and 1945. It is about belonging and what it was like to live in Germany during WWII […]
Top 17 Picture Books of 2024
The following books are my favourite picture books of 2024. I shared all of these memorable titles with various classes in library lessons. Each book captivated the children and led to fascinating conversations. Please click on the titles below that are hyperlinked to see my review which I shared on the Reading Opens Doors blog […]
Over or Under?
Over or Under? from acclaimed author Pip Harry and award-winning illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper is a book I am excited to explore at the beginning of the school year in library classes. It’s themes relating to courage, resilience and not giving up when learning a new skill, believing in yourself and beach safety serve as […]
Top 16 Middle Grade Reads of 2024
The following books are my favourite middle grade reads of 2024. Please click on the titles below that are hyperlinked to see my review which I shared on the Reading Opens Doors blog (some titles I still have to write a review for and will update this post to ensure all books included in this […]
Thunderhead
Title: Thunderhead Author: Sophie Beer Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 29 October 2024 Themes: Friendship, adjusting to change, music, identity, family bonds, D/deaf or hard of hearing community A comprehensive teaching resource is available from the publisher here Thunderhead is an affirming, powerful, moving middle grade epistolary novel that is sure to make readers feel the […]