Huda Was Here
Title: Huda Was Here Author: H Hayeck Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: April 2023 Brother and sister, Huda and Akeal, return in the stand-alone sequel, Huda Was Here by H Hayeck and published by Allen and Unwin. The siblings are bolder with their calculated plans full of mischief, mayhem and courage. This story sees Huda hatch […]
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
Title: How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five Author: Carla Fitzgerald Publisher: University of Queensland Press Publication date: July 2024 Themes: Kindness, compassion, selflessness, confidence, friendship, humility and hope Comprehensive teachers’notes are available from University of Queensland Press (UQP) here How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald 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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Outlaw Girls
Title: Outlaw Girls Authors: Emily Gale and Nova Weetman Publisher: Text Publishing Publication date: February 2024 Comprehensive teachers’notes and an excellent free activity pack for class use (with primary source material and activities) is available from Text Publishing here Two girls, from two very different time periods, both reside in regional Victoria and are daring, not afraid […]
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 […]