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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Small Acts
Themes relating to true friendship, kindness, vulnerability, courage and finding your place, plus four inspiring autistic characters that are relatable and make a difference combine to make Small Acts by Kate Gordon and Kate Foster, an engrossing and powerful story. This book gifts readers an insight into the varied ways autism may present and the […]
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1
Title: Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1 Author and illustrator: L.M. Wilkinson and illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 03 September 2024 Themes: Adventure quests, bravery, friendship, good versus evil, against the odds, gemstones and crystals A comprehensive teaching resource and activity sheet are available on the Allen and Unwin website […]
Summer of Shipwrecks
Title: Summer of Shipwrecks Author: Shivaun Plozza Publisher: University of Queensland Press Publication date: September 3, 2024 Themes: Friendship, change, integrity, courage, adventure, coming of age, divorce, shipwrecks Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the University of Queensland Press (UQP) website here Summer of Shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza and published by University of Queensland Press explores with […]
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat
Title: The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat Author: Charlie Archbold Publisher: Text Publishing Publication date: 31 May, 2022 Themes: Friendship, environment, stereotypes, good versus evil Comprehensive teaching notes are available at Text Publishing here The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold is a suspenseful middle grade mystery novel that sees Andy, Eli and […]
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 […]