When the Lights Went Out
Title: When the Lights Went Out Author: Lian Tanner Illustrator: Jonathan Bentley Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 2 July 2024 Comprehensive teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the publisher’s website here When the Lights Went Out by Lian Tanner, illustrated by Jonathan Bentley and published by Allen and Unwin is a glowing story about community, connection, […]
The Kindness Project
Deborah Abela has cleverly positioned readers to walk in the shoes of the four protagonists in her debut verse novel, The Kindness Project. This story holds a mirror up to middle grade readers who may feel different to their peers and/or are navigating change and adversity in their lives. In this story, four seemingly very […]
Unreal – Can you tell fact from fake?
Title: Unreal – Can you tell fact from fake? Author: Kate Simpson Illustrator: Leila Rudge Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: July 2024 Unreal – Can you tell fact from fake? Written by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Leila Rudge and published by Allen and Unwin is a highly absorbing, inventive non-fiction picture book that invites readers […]
Losing the Plot
Losing the Plot by Annaleise Byrd and published by Walker Books is such an inventive, clever, creative and humourous middle grade fantasy story. This fractured fairytale will have readers laughing out loud as they adventure with two polar opposite male protagonists, Basil Beedon and Terry Clegg, into a fairy tale world. Once plunged into this […]
Huda and Me
Huda and Me by H Hayeck and published by Allen and Unwin follows siblings Huda and Akeal on an action-packed adventure as they escape their nefarious, deceitful babysitter, Aunt Amel, in their home in Melbourne to travel to Beirut to reunite with their parents. This story is perfect for upper primary readers and explores identity, […]
The Apprentice Witnesser
Title: The Apprentice Witnesser Author and illustrator: Bren MacDibble Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: April 2024 Themes: Power of human connection, family (whether it be biological or not), love, courage, loyalty, sacrifice, survival, the impossible decisions and consequences borne from a deep love, forgiveness and healing. A comprehensive teaching resource can be downloaded from the Allen […]
A Small Collection of Happiness
Title: A Small Collection of Happiness Author: Zana Fraillon With illustrations by: Stephen Michael King Publisher: Hachette Publication date: May 2024 Themes: Happiness, hope, true friendship, community, connection, the power of treasured memories and story. Comprehensive Teachers Resources are available to download on the Hachette Australia website here By chance, an older woman ends up living in […]
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards is an absorbing Australian historical fiction, time slip novel for upper primary readers. In this story, Clara is trying to navigate a new, unfamiliar world since the passing of her adored twin brother Darius. She carries emotions that are often associated with grief, anger, guilt and an […]
Country Town
I have been lost in the pages of Country Town written by Isolde Martyn and Robyn Ridgeway, illustrated by Louise Hogan and published by Ford Street Publishing. This is a unique, meticulously researched, captivating book that places the reader in a fictional inland Australian town (which the creators invite readers to suggest and submit a […]
Then and Now
Powerful, thought provoking and shared through the lens of the commonalities we all share rather than the differences, Then and Now by Datsun Tran and published by Slingshot books is a personal story that humanises the refugee experience. This is a unique book, one where the sparse text and evocative illustrations imbued with symbolism, highlight […]