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 […]
Every Night At Midnight
This is a tender story about Felix who feels he does not fit in at school and has a unique secret, the actions he takes because of this, the loneliness and isolation he experiences, his two very different identities and finding his tribe, or pack, in Felix’s case in the most unlikely way. Every Night […]
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 Concrete Garden
Written during COVID times with clues in the illustrations to reflect this, The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham, celebrates the profound ripple effect one child’s creative actions can have on their community and further afield. After being inside for an extended period, an apartment block filled with children from diverse backgrounds, comes to life as […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Queenie in Seven Moves
Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise is a beautiful middle grade novel that highlights the unexpected gifts that come from stepping out of your comfort zone, such as the opportunities to grow, realise your full potential, meet new people and embrace new experiences, follows twelve year old Queenie and her Mum, Clare, as they […]