Timeless
Timeless by Kelly Canby and published by Fremantle Press, the 2024 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, cleverly explores the concept of time through the eyes of a curious, young child, Emit (time spelt backwards). He reflects on the concept of time, how it is elusive, how it appears that there is never enough and […]
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze and published by UWA Publishing is a new delightful, heart-warming junior fiction series. Cassy’s perfect word choice, use of the right tempo for the story’s voice and length, as well as audience engagement with a fun layout and creative fonts, together with […]
Cora Seen and Heard
Cora Seen and Heard by Zanni Louise and Published by Walker Books holds a mirror up to middle grade readers who struggle with self-doubt, feelings of insecurity, and/or are navigating change and adversity in their lives. This story gifts readers the ability to walk in the shoes of Cora Lane who has recently moved from […]
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 […]
Leo and Ralph
Title: Leo and Ralph Author and illustrator: Peter Carnavas Publisher: University of Queensland Press (UQP) Publication date: February 2024 Themes: Friendship, imaginary friends, alienation, vulnerability, acceptance, space. Teachers’notes are available from the UQP website here Leo’s imagination, full of wonderings; his imaginary friend, Ralph, an alien whose fur changes colour to reflect his mood, together with a […]
Top 12 Middle Grade Reads of 2023
The following books are my favourite middle grade reads of 2023. 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 […]
Scar Town
Scar Town by Tristan Bancks is a gripping, fast paced thrilling read full of action, mystery and suspense that had me on the edge of my seat till the very last line with a conclusion that will shock the reader, one you never see coming. This story is set in Scarborough, a town of mystery […]